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An '''artifact''' is a relic of a former [[civilization]], or of an earlier time period of an extant civilization.  Artifacts are objects made by human hands, for a particular purpose: thus, [[archaeology|archaeologists]] use artifacts to ascertain facts about an earlier human civilization.<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/artifact/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy].</ref>  They are used to form the basis of an inferential process.  For example, an [[ankh]] found in a [[sarcophagus]] in [[Egypt]] would allow archaeologists to draw inferences about Egyptian burial practices.

An '''artifact''' is an object created or modified by humans. It can be a relic of a former [[civilization]], or of an earlier time period of an extant civilization.  Artifacts are objects made by human hands, for a particular purpose: thus, [[archaeology|archaeologists]] use artifacts to ascertain facts about an earlier human civilization.<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/artifact/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy].</ref>  They are used to form the basis of an inferential process.  For example, an [[ankh]] found in a [[sarcophagus]] in [[Egypt]] would allow archaeologists to draw inferences about Egyptian burial practices.

In the [[evolution|evolutionary]] timeline, ''[[Homo Habilis]]'' was the first [[hominid]] to be able to create objects.  [[Creation science]], of course, disagrees with the existence of hominid ancestors.

In the [[evolution|evolutionary]] timeline, ''[[Homo habilis]]'' was the first [[hominid]] to be able to create objects.  [[Creation science]], of course, disagrees with the existence of hominid ancestors.

In [[roleplaying games]], an '''artifact''' often refers to a magical item of considerable power.

In [[roleplaying games]], an '''artifact''' often refers to a magical item of considerable power.

[[category:anthropology]]

[[category:anthropology]]