Artefakter

Artefakter are objects created or modified by humans, preserved from past eras and used to interpret historical and cultural processes. The term is most commonly associated with archaeology and anthropology, but it also appears in other disciplines where human influence must be distinguished from natural phenomena. Artefakter can range from everyday tools to symbolic objects, and they help researchers reconstruct technology, economy, social organization, and beliefs.

In archaeology, artefakter are typically portable items such as tools, pottery, metal objects, jewelry, and inscriptions. They contrast with ecofact(s)—natural materials that provide environmental context—and with features, which are non-portable constructs like hearths or walls. Artefacts are analyzed by material, manufacture, use, and typological sequence to establish chronology and cultural connections. Their distribution across sites and layers enables scientists to track interactions, migration, and change over time.

Classification and dating often rely on typology and seriation. Typology groups artefakter by design features, while seriation orders assemblages chronologically based on evolving styles. Dating methods include radiocarbon dating, thermoluminescence, and interpretation of stratigraphic context. Accurate interpretation depends on careful documentation of provenance, context, and the relationship of artefacts to other finds.

Preservation and ethical considerations are central to handling artefakter. They are vulnerable to decay, damage, and looting, requiring conservation and meticulous recording. Museums and researchers emphasize provenance, cultural sensitivity, and, where appropriate, repatriation. The term artefakter also appears in modern science to describe artifacts in data, imaging, or experimental results that do not reflect the original subject, underscoring the need to distinguish human-made objects from methodological distortions.