Natural Phenomena:
* Rocks: While rocks can be studied by archaeologists, they are not artifacts because they were not made or modified by humans.
* Trees: Trees are products of nature, not human creation.
* Animals: Even domesticated animals are not considered artifacts.
* Weather events: A hurricane or a blizzard is a natural phenomenon, not an artifact.
Abstract Concepts:
* Ideas: Ideas, beliefs, or theories are not tangible and therefore not artifacts.
* Emotions: Feelings like happiness, sadness, or anger are not artifacts.
* Music: While music can be recorded and preserved, the music itself is an abstract concept, not a physical object.
Modern Objects:
* Modern furniture: While a chair might be considered an artifact if it's centuries old, a new chair wouldn't be.
* Clothing: While ancient clothing can be artifacts, new clothes are not.
* Cars: Current model cars are not artifacts, but a vintage car from the early 1900s could be.
Other:
* Information: While information can be stored on an artifact, the information itself is not an artifact.
* Living beings: People and animals are not artifacts.
Key Takeaway: Artifacts are human-made objects that provide evidence of past cultures and activities. They are tangible and have some degree of age or historical significance. Anything that doesn't meet these criteria is not an artifact.