ancient artifact
Historical object unearthed
An ancient artifact is an object made by humans in the distant past, typically recovered through archaeology or preserved in collections.
The phrase emphasizes both age and human craftsmanship—a fossil isn't an artifact, but a Roman coin or Egyptian amulet is.
The museum displayed ancient artifacts from Mesopotamia.
In fiction, ancient artifacts often possess magical properties or hold secrets that drive the plot.
- relicPreserved ancient object
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
- buried treasureValuables interred for safekeeping
- holy grailSupremely elusive objective
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
lost civilization · carbon dating · tomb · excavation · museum · museum piece · time capsule · archaeology · ruins · pottery · scroll · hieroglyphics · curse · temple · dust · fragments · cursed object · civilization
- hidden treasuresgold nugget, treasure chest, buried treasure, diamond, gemstone
- Cabinet of Curiositiesshrunken head, two-headed animal, mummy, taxidermy, fossil
- aspirationsdream, goals, dreams, purpose, mission
- space operaStar Wars, Star Trek, Dune, hyperspace, lightsaber
- macguffinsMaltese falcon, holy grail, briefcase, Rosebud, unobtainium