diff --git a/chronicle.lua b/chronicle.lua
index c247180ed..eb91cc8e6 100644
--- a/chronicle.lua
+++ b/chronicle.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
--- Chronicles fortress events: unit deaths, artifact creation, and invasions
+-- Chronicles fortress events: unit deaths, item creation, and invasions
 --@module = true
 --@enable = true
 
@@ -43,18 +43,22 @@ end
 
 local function on_item_created(item_id)
     local item = df.item.find(item_id)
-    if not item or not item.flags.artifact then return end
+    if not item then return end
 
-    local gref = dfhack.items.getGeneralRef(item, df.general_ref_type.IS_ARTIFACT)
-    local rec = gref and df.artifact_record.find(gref.artifact_id) or nil
-    if not rec then return end
+    local date = format_date(df.global.cur_year, df.global.cur_year_tick)
 
-    local name = dfhack.translation.translateName(rec.name)
-    local date = format_date(rec.year, rec.season_tick or 0)
-    if rec.id > state.last_artifact_id then
-        state.last_artifact_id = rec.id
+    if item.flags.artifact then
+        local gref = dfhack.items.getGeneralRef(item, df.general_ref_type.IS_ARTIFACT)
+        local rec = gref and df.artifact_record.find(gref.artifact_id) or nil
+        local name = rec and dfhack.translation.translateName(rec.name) or 'unknown artifact'
+        if rec and rec.id > state.last_artifact_id then
+            state.last_artifact_id = rec.id
+        end
+        add_entry(string.format('Artifact "%s" created on %s', name, date))
+    else
+        local desc = dfhack.items.getDescription(item, 0, true)
+        add_entry(string.format('Item "%s" created on %s', desc, date))
     end
-    add_entry(string.format('Artifact "%s" created on %s', name, date))
 end
 
 local function on_invasion(invasion_id)
@@ -134,8 +138,12 @@ elseif cmd == 'clear' then
     state.entries = {}
     persist_state()
 elseif cmd == 'print' then
-    for _, entry in ipairs(state.entries) do
-        print(entry)
+    if #state.entries == 0 then
+        print('Chronicle is empty.')
+    else
+        for _, entry in ipairs(state.entries) do
+            print(entry)
+        end
     end
 else
     print(dfhack.script_help())
diff --git a/docs/chronicle.rst b/docs/chronicle.rst
index e573d967b..0c4c5b7c1 100644
--- a/docs/chronicle.rst
+++ b/docs/chronicle.rst
@@ -2,11 +2,12 @@ chronicle
 =========
 
 .. dfhack-tool::
-    :summary: Record fortress events like deaths, artifacts, and invasions.
+    :summary: Record fortress events like deaths, item creation, and invasions.
     :tags: fort gameplay
 
 This tool automatically records notable events in a chronicle that is stored
-with your save. Unit deaths, artifact creation, and invasions are recorded.
+with your save. Unit deaths, all item creation events, and invasions are
+recorded.
 
 Usage
 -----
@@ -23,6 +24,6 @@ Usage
 ``chronicle disable``
     Stop recording events.
 ``chronicle print``
-    Print all recorded events.
+    Print all recorded events. Prints a notice if the chronicle is empty.
 ``chronicle clear``
     Delete the chronicle.