artefakti

Artefakti are objects created, modified, or used by humans, whose material remains are studied to understand past cultures and technologies. In archaeology and anthropology, artefacts are distinguished from natural objects by evidence of human manufacture, use, or modification. Common examples include stone tools, pottery, metal objects, inscriptions, manuscripts, artwork, and everyday implements. Artefacts are analyzed through typology, contextual association, and dating methods to reconstruct production techniques, trade networks, social organization, and daily life. Dating methods include relative dating (stratigraphy, seriation) and absolute dating (radiocarbon, dendrochronology, thermoluminescence). Provenance and context are crucial for interpretation, and ethical concerns often govern excavation, display, and repatriation.

In addition to material culture, the term artefact is used in digital and scientific contexts. In digital media, artifacts are distortions or undesired alterations resulting from compression, sampling, or transmission, such as blockiness in images or audio glitches. In scientific instrumentation, artefacts may arise from measurement error, calibration, or processing steps and can obscure true signals. In software development, deliverables and by-products produced during the creation process are also referred to as artefacts, including diagrams, models, and documentation.

Preservation of artefacts involves careful handling, conservation, and storage in museums, archives, or laboratories. Ethical acquisition, documentation of provenance, and public access balance preservation with educational value.