An anachronism is an error in chronology, where an object, event, or person is placed in the wrong time period. It often occurs in literature, film, or art, where elements from one era are mistakenly depicted alongside those from another. Anachronisms can be intentional, used for artistic effect, or unintentional, revealing a lack of historical accuracy. They serve to highlight contrasts between different times or to provoke thought about the relevance of certain ideas across ages.