artefact

Definition

1. A product of human art and workmanship.

2. An object remaining from a particular period.

3. In the context of the international prototype kilogram (IPK), a 1 kilogram cylinder of platinum-iridium alloy was manufactured in France in the 1880s to serve as the mass standard.

4. Something observed during a scientific investigation that is not naturally present but has been introduced as a result of the experimental procedure. Artefacts are commonly introduced during preparation of specimens for microscopy.