Pages: 85-110

One important aspect of prehistoric material culture is its deliberate fragmentation and the re-use of the resulting fragments in other ways. The multiple possible causes of object and body fragmentation are considered and the intentional route is theorised. Underlying all recent fragmentation research is the ‘Fragmentation Premise’ — which is fully discussed here. A number of examples of deliberate fragmentation and later re-use is presented here, concentrating on material from the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Copper Age of Central and Eastern Europe. Materials to be studied here include ceramics, fired clay figurines, Spondylus shell ornaments and the human body. A final discussion explores the advances made in fragmentation research over the past 15 years and identifies challenges for future research.

Keywords: Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, fragmentation, figurines, Spondylus, skeletons.

Information about authors:

John Chapman (Durham, Great Britain). PhD. Durham University. South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, Great Britain.
E-mail: [email protected]
Bisserka Gaydarska (Durham, Great Britain). PhD. Durham University. South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, Great Britain.
E-mail: [email protected]