Out-of-place artifact

This description of archaeological objects is used in fringe science such as cryptozoology, as well as by proponents of ancient astronaut theories, young Earth creationists, and paranormal enthusiasts.

[1][2] It can describe a wide variety of items, from anomalies studied by mainstream science to pseudoarchaeology to objects that have been shown to be hoaxes or to have conventional explanations.

[2] Many writers or researchers who question conventional views of human history have used purported OOPArts in attempts to bolster their arguments.

[2] Creation science often relies on allegedly anomalous finds in the archaeological record to challenge scientific chronologies and models of human evolution.

[4] Claimed OOPArts have been used to support religious descriptions of prehistory, ancient astronaut theories, and the notion of vanished civilizations that possessed knowledge or technology more advanced than that known in modern times.

Fragment of the Antikythera mechanism , a mechanical computer from the 2nd century BCE showing a previously unknown level of complexity
The Tamil Bell is a broken bronze bell used as a cooking pot by Māori women of New Zealand.
The Shroud of Turin : modern photo of the face, positive left, digitally processed negative image right
The three components of the Baghdad Battery
The iron pillar of Delhi
Eltanin Antenna
Babylonokia