In: Operations Management
Cultural artifacts are those items that when found provide valuable information regarding customs and practices of a society in an ancient time or in present time. Such cultural artifacts also provide information about who created these artifacts and how these artifacts were used. The kinds of cultural artifacts are historical artifacts such as pottery, coins, religious idols, structures of temples, and many others who provide information about social and cultural lives of people. These cultural artifacts are generally found by archeologists through archeological sites. Present cultural artifacts can be television programs, newspapers, magazines that demonstrate cultural values. The sources can provide detailed information about local culture. Music and art are also cultural artifacts as they demonstrate cultural beliefs, practices and values. The main factor to recognize a cultural artifact is its ability to tell story about past and present regarding cultural practices, values and beliefs of a society. Thus, all artifacts that can be able to tell story about cultural practices are called as cultural artifacts whether they are picture, piece of clothing, tool, jewelry, etc.