Mycenaean terracotta figurines and figures are almost invariably found in a fragmentary state out of their original contexts. More often than not, the terracotta fragments are found discarded together with trash in garbage pits. This paper aims at investigating if the majority of terracottas (figurines and figures) are indeed fragmentary also in cult and burial contexts, and if so, whether the fragmentary state of the terracottas could be explained as the consequence of a deliberate act to trash or fragment them.

Terracotta figurines, as well as figures are found in various contexts. They may occur in situ in domestic contexts;...