Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of "in situ" artifacts?

The correct answer to identify what is NOT a characteristic of "in situ" artifacts is that they have been relocated during excavations. "In situ," which means "in its original place," refers to artifacts that remain in their original context of deposition and have not been disturbed or moved from their original location. This characteristic is crucial because the archaeological context—how and where an artifact was found—provides invaluable information about its use, age, and relationship to other artifacts and the surrounding environment.

When artifacts are excavated without being moved from their original location, they retain critical contextual information that helps archaeologists understand the past more accurately. This context can include the layers of soil in which the artifacts are found, their association with other finds, and their spatial patterns within a site.

In contrast, if artifacts have been relocated during excavations, they lose their "in situ" status, and their original context is compromised. This loss of context can significantly hinder the ability of archaeologists to interpret the artifacts accurately. Hence, the choice highlighting that in situ artifacts have been relocated contradicts the very definition of what "in situ" means.