Archaeological Classification: Attributes of an Artifact

Vocabulary terms covering archaeological classification criteria, artifact attributes (surface features, shape/form, and technological features), and an illustrative Late Bronze Age hybrid artifact example.

Attributes of an artifact

The three main categories used for archaeological classification and assessment: surface features, shape/form, and technological features.

Surface features

Artifact attributes that include color (inherent to the material, documented by photo or Munsell color chart ID) and decoration (such as applied colors, writing, and designs).

Munsell color chart

A standard reference chart used by archaeologists to identify and record the specific color of an artifact's material.

Shape/form

An artifact attribute that ranges from simple to complex configurations, exemplified by items such as a hammer stone, a sculpture, or a multi-component mechanism.

Technological features

An artifact attribute mainly referring to raw material, ranging from simple unaltered shaped items to altered materials and complex composite materials.

Altered materials

Technological materials modified through manufacturing processes, such as baked clay or cast metal.

Composite materials

Complex artifact materials produced through multi-step processes incorporating different components, such as a cast gold, ornate ring bezel set with a cut gem.

Syro-Mesopotamian cylinder seal of Ramesses II

A hybrid Late Bronze Age artifact found at an Egyptian New Kingdom garrison site in Canaan (Syria-Palestine), made of imported Afghan lapis lazuli in a foreign form and inscribed with the name of Ramesses II in Egyptian hieroglyphs.