Artifacts are one the best and most difficult-to-find items hidden throughout the Zone in STALKER 2. Tracking down and finding an artifact can be challenging, but well worth it based on the unique abilities they provide you, making life much easier when fighting bandits or mutants.
You won’t always find an artifact out in the open. They’re usually partially hidden somewhere close to an anomaly, where hazards can hit you around every corner, but if you’re careful, you can walk away with a few cuts and a hefty artifact. How you use it after you obtain an artifact is up to you. There’s the choice of keeping it on you to use it during your adventures, or you can sell it to a trader if you need coupons. It all comes down to knowing how to find an artifact, and how to identify if one is nearby in STALKER 2.