potsherd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "potsherd" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to a broken piece of ceramic material, often used in archaeological contexts to describe fragments of pottery. Example: "The archaeologists uncovered a potsherd that dated back to the ancient civilization."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Nevertheless, the 1992 discovery of a similar inscription on a potsherd at Dinggongcun in Shandong province demonstrates that the use of a mature script can be dated to the late Neolithic Longshan culture (c. 2600 2000 bce).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ife is best known for its potsherd pavements and for the great artistry of its terra-cottas and bronzes, especially the naturalism of many of its bronze figures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The uncertainties of evidence for the long preliterate past where a bone or potsherd can undermine previous interpretations and where recent research has subverted even terminology are matched by conflicting representations of the colonial and postcolonial periods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Eastern Woodlands musicians make kettledrums from small wood or ceramic pots covered with a hide and partially filled with water; the drummer may place a lump of charcoal, healing herbs, a potsherd, or other materials inside the pot to symbolize natural elements and forces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The exhibition also presents other examples of predigital note-taking technology, including a second-century potsherd used like scrap paper, and a 17th-century German engraving of a note-closet, in which slips of paper could be hung on hooks corresponding to up to 3,000 alphabetized headings.

The New York Times - Books

In 1937, too, a poem was found written in pen-and-ink on a potsherd – easily attributable to Sappho because tiny chunks of it had been quoted elsewhere.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

In the 8th century the presence of Persian potsherds at Chibuene on the coast of Mozambique and snapped cane glass beads at various locations Kruger National Park, Schroda on the Limpopo, Botswana, the Zimbabwe plateau, and the Mngeni River near Durban all attest to the influence of this long-distance trade in the region and its early integration into the Indian Ocean networks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Among the most interesting discoveries is a group of potsherds inscribed with Hebrew personal names.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In ancient times, houses were constructed of piled-up mud (pisé), lumps of clay pressed together (adobe), or (later) sun-dried or kiln-baked bricks strengthened with straw, gravel, or potsherds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Archaeologists, in surface surveys, are able to separate discrete systems by period, through a study of potsherds found on sites that lie along the canals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They include, for example, wall scrawlings of the graffiti type and casual records that were kept on cheap writing matter such as potsherds (ostraca) and scraps of papyrus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about archaeological finds, use "potsherd" to add specificity to your description of discovered artifacts. It is more precise than simply saying "piece of pottery".

Common error

Avoid using "potsherd" to describe fragments of materials other than pottery or ceramics. The term is specific to broken pieces of pottery.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "potsherd" is as a noun. It denotes a specific object: a fragment of broken pottery. Ludwig AI provides examples of its use in describing archaeological finds and historical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

40%

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "potsherd" refers to a broken piece of pottery, often encountered in archaeological contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct, although its usage is relatively uncommon. Predominantly found in encyclopedias and news media, "potsherd" serves to precisely identify pottery fragments, particularly in historical or archaeological discussions. For alternatives, consider "pottery fragment" or "ceramic shard" to maintain clarity and specificity. When using the term, ensure it describes actual pieces of pottery to avoid misinterpretation. In summary, while "potsherd" is a valid and precise term, its specialized context makes it less frequently used in general writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pottery fragment

Focuses specifically on the broken piece being from pottery.

ceramic shard

Emphasizes the material composition (ceramic) and its fragmented nature.

broken pottery piece

Directly describes the state and material of the object.

pottery remnant

Highlights the idea of the piece being a remaining part of something.

ceramic fragment

A more general term for a broken piece of ceramic material.

archaeological fragment of pottery

Specifies the context in which the fragment is found.

remnant of ancient pottery

Emphasizes the age and origin of the pottery.

piece of broken earthenware

Refers specifically to earthenware, a type of pottery.

ceramic debris

Suggests a collection of broken ceramic pieces.

fragment of a ceramic vessel

More formal way to describe the broken piece from a ceramic container.

FAQs

What is a "potsherd"?

A "potsherd" is a broken piece of pottery, especially one found in an archaeological dig. It's a specific term used to describe fragments of ceramic vessels or other pottery items.

Where might I encounter the term "potsherd"?

You're most likely to encounter the term "potsherd" in contexts related to archaeology, ancient history, or museum studies, where the analysis of pottery fragments is common.

What's a good alternative to the word "potsherd"?

Depending on the context, you could use "pottery fragment" or "ceramic shard" as alternatives to "potsherd".

How does a "potsherd" help archaeologists?

By studying "potsherds", archaeologists can learn about the age, style, and origin of the pottery, which helps them understand the culture, trade routes, and technology of past civilizations.