At industrial sites, artifacts can vary depending on the type of industry, the period of operation, and the location. However, several types of artifacts are commonly found at industrial sites, which typically reflect the machinery, tools, products, and daily activities associated with the site. Here are some examples:
- Machinery and Equipment: Broken or discarded machinery, engines, boilers, pumps, and tools are common. These may include parts from conveyor belts, manufacturing presses, steam engines, and factory equipment.
- Tools and Handheld Devices: Tools such as wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, and industrial cutting tools, many of which might have been used for maintenance or production.
- Construction Materials: Fragments of bricks, steel beams, rivets, glass, and concrete used in the construction of factory buildings or infrastructure may be found.
- Factory Products and Byproducts: Finished goods, product molds, or unfinished products that were either discarded or left behind during production processes.
- Labor and Personal Items: Items like work uniforms, hard hats, safety gear, and personal belongings of workers that might include lunch boxes, tools, or writing materials.
- Chemical Containers and Bottles: Bottles, cans, and containers that were used for chemicals, oils, or lubricants typically found on industrial sites.
- Scrap Metal: Leftover pieces of metal, iron, or steel from metalworking operations that were not repurposed.
- Documents and Paperwork: Old records, schematics, maps, factory blueprints, work logs, invoices, or correspondence related to the operation of the site.
- Waste Products: Industrial waste such as coal slag, slag metal, chemical waste, and other byproducts of manufacturing that might have been discarded improperly or forgotten over time.
- Signage and Branding: Company logos, factory nameplates, labels, or signage that would have been used for branding or identification.
- Electrical and Wiring Components: Old wires, light fixtures, switchgear, and electrical parts that powered the industrial site.
- Transportation Artifacts: Artifacts related to industrial transportation, like railway tracks, carts, wheelbarrows, and vehicle parts used for moving raw materials or products within the facility.
These artifacts often provide a fascinating glimpse into the daily workings and history of industrial operations, shedding light on technologies, labor practices, and the economic context of the time.