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Geofact
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Look up <i>geofact</i> in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. <p>A geofact (a <a href="/facts/Portmanteau/d124JEbz">portmanteau</a> of <i>geology</i> and <i>artifact</i>) is a natural <a href="/facts/Rock_(geology)/FXCJkmop">stone</a> formation that is difficult to distinguish from a man-made <a href="/facts/Artifact_(archaeology)/SftLTFf5">artifact</a>. Geofacts could be <a href="/facts/Fluvial/nkLrSheo">fluvially</a> reworked and be misinterpreted as an artifact, especially when compared to <a href="/facts/Paleolithic/I48SMHo5">Paleolithic</a> artifacts. </p><p>Possible examples include several purported prominent ancient artifacts, such as the <a href="/facts/Venus_of_Berekhat_Ram/NuV3Fn8F">Venus of Berekhat Ram</a> and the <a href="/facts/Venus_of_Tan-Tan/sGXreMgS">Venus of Tan-Tan</a>. These are thought by many in the archaeological community to be geofacts. A site which shows an abundance of what are likely geofacts is <a href="/facts/Marine_archaeology_in_the_Gulf_of_Cambay/X7SBQm0p">the Gulf of Cambay</a>. </p><p>Geofacts can be distinguished from lithic debitage, through experiments and comparisons. Separating geofacts from artifacts is a challenge that archaeologists can face while excavating a site. </p>