Parts and Wholes: object categorisation and fragmentation in prehistoric context

The primary premise of the book can be concisely stated: deliberate object fragmentation was commonplace in the past, with widespread re-use of the ensuing fragments in an extended life 'after the break'. It has been the contention of much recent research that deliberate fragmentation is a fundamental feature of not only later Balkan prehistory but also of communities living in many other times/places.

The evidence for deliberate fragmentation is increasing each year, both at the level of inter-site data and intra-site data, such that the social practice can no longer be ignored by anyone seriously interested in material culture.