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The most useful sherds are called diagnostic sherds - key fragments of areas such as the base or rim that can be used to identify the style of the original object. Each week Into Archaeology provides a new sherd, or a piece of a relevant archaeology topic, excavated from the Internet.
Jul 19, 2018 · A definition of sherd, according to Merriam Webster’s online dictionary, is “a fragment of a pottery vessel found on sites and in refuse deposits where pottery-making peoples have lived.” However, shard is a more generic term for “a piece or fragment of a brittle substance.”
Nov 3, 2023 · Using “sherd” helps to differentiate pottery fragments from other types of shards, such as glass or china. Additionally, the use of “sherd” in the field of archaeology serves as a unifying terminology among professionals and ensures consistent communication and understanding within the discipline.
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Pottery identification is a valuable aid to dating of archaeological sites. Pottery is usually the most common find and potsherds are more stable than organic materials and metals. As pottery techniques and fashions have evolved so it is often possible to be very specific in terms of date and source.
Even small items, such as fragments of pottery (known as sherds), can tell us a surprising amount about the people who used them. The photo below the main text shows three people gathered around a table-like structure outdoors, sifting through dirt to search for artifacts.
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Jan 28, 2021 · Ceramic pieces morph through time just like general fashion. These changes can help identify the time periods to which to assign the vessel. (See the smashed jars that helped pinpoint Jerusalem’s destruction.)
