relics

Relics are objects retained from the past because of their association with a person, event, or period. In archaeology and anthropology, relics are material remains such as tools, structures, inscriptions, or fragments that provide evidence about past societies. In religious contexts, relics are objects believed to connect believers with sacred figures or events, often including physical remains, items that touched a holy person, or objects used in sacred rites. The latter are commonly housed in reliquaries and used in processions or pilgrimages.

Classification in some Christian traditions distinguishes first-class relics (a body part), second-class relics (an object that touched a body or a piece of clothing), and third-class relics (something associated with a saint through contact).

Relics require careful conservation; in museums they are documented, sometimes legally protected; provenance is important; misattribution and looting are concerns. Ethical and legal aspects include repatriation of cultural property and guidelines that emphasize documented provenance and respect for source communities.

Beyond religious or scholarly contexts, the term relic also appears in everyday language to describe cherished mementos or objects from past eras, such as technology relics or sports memorabilia. Relics can illuminate history by linking material culture with individuals, beliefs, and practices, while demanding rigorous stewardship to preserve them for future study.