Shattering

The term Zerscherbung referred to in the archeology an apparently targeted disruption of ceramic material. The devices destroyed in this way are considered shattered because they can often no longer be reconstructed.

A distinguishing feature is the relatively uniform degree of the cullet , which is attributed to an intentional crushing of the vessels. Shattered means that all parts of the object were fragmented at the time of laying down. Since the Neolithic, shattered ceramics have been found at cult sites or in cult facilities such as B. megalithic systems , sometimes in particularly large quantities.

This fits in with Leviticus 6.21: And the earthen vessel in which it (the sacrifice) is boiled is to be broken.

literature

• J. Chapman: Fragmentation in Archeology. People, places and broken objects in the prehistory of South Eastern Europe . London and New York 2000
• Colin Renfrew & Paul Bahn , Archeology: Theories, Methods and Practice. Thames & Hudson (London: 2001). ISBN 0-500-28147-5