The article considers etch pits that appear in metals and alloys during metallographic etching as an artifact. optical contrasting tools capabilities, such dark field, polarized light, differential interference contrast detecting pits, are demonstrated.

Threads and fibers of different origin are considered as artifacts sample preparation metallographic sections, well samples some materials. The role various methods optical contrasting – dark‑field illumination, polarized light in the analysis paper, natural artificial is illustrated. presented materials can be used by scientists to identify errors preparation, describe non‑traditional objects.