This introduction provides an overview of fragments and fragmentation in archaeology, aiming to map out a field that has rarely been subjected to synthesising efforts. First, it presents a background, taking John Chapman’s publication of ‘Fragmentation in Archaeology’ in 2000 as a starting point. It then moves on to explore issues within the wide range of perspectives on fragmented materials and fragmentation that have emerged during recent decades. Four themes where the archaeology of fragmentation has proven particularly creative are discussed: the ontological and existential character of fragments; fragmentation and the human body; methodological considerations regarding fragmented materials and their properties; and finally, the links between fragmentation studies and relational perspectives currently influencing many areas of archaeological thinking. Overall, it also gives an approach to the other contributions in this volume and places them in their theoretical and methodological context. Concluding reflections highlight some wider aspects of fragments as part of ever-changing assemblages, as well as the role of fragmentation as a means of embracing the complexity of past remains.