ARTIFACTS
Artifacts are objects manufactured or modified by humans. They can be classified into types. These types reflect function or use, styles from a particular time period, or specific groups of people. The artifacts above were made by a prehistoric culture we recognize as the Hohokam. There are characteristics of these artifacts that help tell us a great deal about them. Wear patterns on the ceramic scoop actually can help us understand that the person who used this was right-handed.
FEATURES
Features are objects that are either made or used by humans that are non-portable. Houses, pits, hearths, or irrigation canals are examples of features. The picture above is a prehistoric house from Tempe, Arizona. It was made by erecting posts around the exterior and building a roof over the house supported by a series of interior posts. A house is a feature or a hearth or a roasting oven is a feature..
Go to the next page to explore how archaeologists
look at artifacts and features through what are called "attributes."
