I've done this and it does work, but there are some caveats:

First, potshards can be sharp and can cut small hands. Consider your
audience and level of supervision.

Second, the pieces keep getting smaller over time - broken some more, worn
down, etc.  Have extras to replace the first set.

Third, for some kids, take a picture of the pot before you break it.  The
archeologists don't have this sort of help, but they do know what various
types of pots look like, which helps!

We've also photographed (or color copied) a plate, mounted it on foam core,
and cut it up like a more conventional jig saw puzzle. The picture
de-laminates from the foam core over time, but it's safer.

Laura Roberts
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>Here's a thought. Take several glazed ceramic pots (with designs on them),
>break them into pieces, and have teams of the children reassemble them. This
>is something that always facinates visitors to our archaeological site here
>in San Diego, and a real team project could be developed.
>
>Anita Cohen-Williams
>Listowner of HISTARCH, SUB-ARCH, and SPANBORD
>Internet Consultant
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>"A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on." - Samuel Goldwyn.
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