Analyze an Artifact or Object

Meet the artifact.

• Material (check all that apply):

  Bone	Pottery	Metal	Wood
  Stone	Leather	Glass	Paper
  Cardboard	Fabric	Plastic	Other

Observe its parts.

• Describe it as if you were explaining it to someone who can’t see it. Think about:
  • shape
  • color
  • texture
  • size
  • weight
  • age
  • condition
  • movable parts
  • anything written on it

Try to make sense of it.

Answer as best you can.

• Where is it from?
• When is it from?
• Who used it? List reasons you think so.
• What was it used for? List reasons you think so.
• What does this tell you about the people who made and used it?
• What does it tell you about technology at the time it was made?
• What is a similar item from today?

Use it as historical evidence.

• What did you find out from this artifact that you might not learn anywhere else?
• What other documents or historical evidence are you going to use to help you understand the event or time in which this artifact was used?