I've found a lot of artifacts, at least 3 on each map. They generally tend to be in areas with loads of anomalies. If you see the green fog, there's definitely some in there. The easiest way to find them is to walk around a map with your detector out. When it starts beeping (or displaying better info if you have an upgraded detector) you know you're nearby. Then you just need to hunt it down with the detector without getting yourself killed in the anomalies. In the beginning this involved running into the anomilies, grabbing the artifact, then running out, all while chugging first aid kits like crazy. Now that I've got a good upgraded suit, I don't really have problems with radiation and toxicity, and I just need to dodge the smaller anomalies.

I agree about the Freedom/Duty war. I'm Freedom as well and am just trying to push into Agroprom. I think the key is to load yourself up with a ton of ammo so that you don't have to leave. I also have a nice artifact that gives me +6 endurance, which lets me run constantly without stopping, as long as I'm not overloaded. This makes transit between the check points quick in the event of attacks.