nonartifactual

Nonartifactual is an adjective used to describe objects, data, or phenomena that are not artificial or human-made. In archaeology and related fields, the term serves to contrast material that originates from natural processes with artifacts—items produced or modified by humans.

Nonartifactual materials include natural sediments, unmodified bones and shells, plant remains, and geological features such as soil horizons and mineral deposits. These items can inform researchers about natural depositional contexts, environmental conditions, and ecological relationships that are distinct from cultural practices.

Usage and limitations: Determining whether something is nonartifactual can be complex, because some natural objects may be unintentionally altered by human activity, while some artifacts may be embedded in nonartifactual matrices. The term is most often used as a descriptive qualifier in field notes and reports rather than a formal category; writers may also encounter non-artifact or non-artifactual phrasing.

Origin and related terms: The word derives from the prefix non- and artifactual, the latter stemming from roots related to craft or fabrication. Related concepts include artifactual (human-made) and the broader distinction between cultural and natural evidence in archaeological interpretation.