The Artifact (Eureka)

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Global Dynamics specialists attempt to remove a piece of the Artifact in "Once in a Lifetime".

In the Sci Fi Channel TV series Eureka, a mysterious device known only as "the Artifact" is at the center of several episodes.

The Artifact was briefly mentioned in the pilot episode. Although it was never seen in the episode, or called by that name, several scientists mention a top secret project housed in Section 5. This secret project is apparently so important that it seems necessary for Beverly to murder a local scientist's wife to get access to Section 5.

The Artifact itself first appeared in the episode "Alienated", when it was shown to Congressman Arnold Faraday by Nathan Stark. In the episode "Invincible", an energy surge from the device is responsible for Carl Carlson's superhuman transformation. In "Purple Haze", Stark attempts to enter the chamber containing the Artifact while under the influence of the Necrosomnium spores. The episode in which the Artifact played the largest role is "Once in a Lifetime".

[edit] Nature of the Artifact

The Artifact is kept in a shielded underground chamber in Section Five, the most tightly secured part of the Global Dynamics building. The chamber can only be entered through an airlock which requires a handprint and code to open.

The Artifact is a mysterious sphere which apparently floats in the center of its chamber, surrounded by swirling streamers of luminous energy. The Artifact apparently cannot be safely approached by a human being, as Congressman Faraday was required to don a space suit to view it. The only person to have directly seen the object is Carl Carlson, who after his transformation entered the chamber, and seemingly vanished.

It is not until "Once in a Lifetime" that the true nature of the Artifact is revealed. It is a device from a previous universe, one that existed before the Big Bang. It exists partially outside of normal space-time. An attempt to remove a sample of the Artifact's material via remote-controlled robot caused a release of energy which resulted in the death of Kim Anderson, fusing her body into a steel door.