Potsherd: meaning, definitions and examples
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potsherd
[ ˈpɒtʃərd ]
fragment, pottery
A potsherd is a broken piece of ceramic material, often found during archaeological excavations. These fragments are remnants of pottery, jars, or other ceramic items that have been damaged or discarded. Potsherds are valuable to archaeologists and historians as they provide insights into past cultures, including styles, usage, and technology. They can reveal information about the daily life of people, their trade practices, and even artistic expressions.
Synonyms
ceramic fragment, pot fragment, pottery shard.
Examples of usage
- Archaeologists unearthed several potsherds at the ancient site.
- The study of potsherds can help identify ancient cooking practices.
- He collected potsherds during his hike through the historic ruins.
Translations
Translations of the word "potsherd" in other languages:
🇵🇹 fragmento de cerâmica
🇮🇳 मिट्टी का टुकड़ा
🇩🇪 Tonscherbe
🇮🇩 pecahan tembikar
🇺🇦 черепок
🇵🇱 skruszona ceramika
🇯🇵 陶器の破片
🇫🇷 morceau de poterie
🇪🇸 fragmento de cerámica
🇹🇷 seramik parçası
🇰🇷 도자기 조각
🇸🇦 شظية فخار
🇨🇿 kousek keramiky
🇸🇰 kúsok keramiky
🇨🇳 陶片
🇸🇮 kos keramike
🇮🇸 keramikusneit
🇰🇿 керамика фрагменті
🇬🇪 თიხის ნაჭერი
🇦🇿 keramika parçası
🇲🇽 fragmento de cerámica
Etymology
The word 'potsherd' originates from the combination of two Old English words: 'pot', referring to a vessel made of clay, and 'sherd', which means a piece or fragment. The term has been used since at least the 11th century, reflecting the significance of pottery in daily life as well as in archaeological contexts. Pottery itself has been an essential aspect of human culture, dating back thousands of years, with fragments often being discovered at archaeological sites. These potsherds not only serve as remnants of functional items but also as records of artistic and technological evolution through different historical periods. They help to understand the development of ceramic techniques and the socio-economic conditions surrounding the communities that produced them.