An artifact is used during the exposition of a story to provide important details about the characters and the plot.
In narrative, the exposition of a storiy refers to the insertion of background information within a story or narrative; for instance, all the information about the setting, characters' backstories, prior plot events, historical context, and the like.
An artifact may be defined as an object of specific cultural or historical importance. These objects can reveal insights into distant civilizations or those that have since disappeared.