Explained in plain English
What is an artefact?
An artefact is any object made or modified by humans, from ancient tools to modern art. In the Smithsonian's case, the exhibits feature countless artefacts, each telling a part of America's story. The controversy highlights how different interpretations of these objects can lead to disagreements about what constitutes 'accurate information' in historical displays.
Stories that explain this
Trump orders Smithsonian to post signs warning of 'inaccurate' exhibitsQuestions this opens up
Who decides what's history? Can objects lie? What's a primary source?This explainer came from a news story
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