One interesting aspect of find processing is the drawing of the finds. This means a technical drawing and not a creative picture, its purpose being to represent precisely the characteristics of a find. Not only interesting small finds made of pottery (Terra Sigillata, Turibula etc.), glass, bone and metal get drawn, but all the other pottery from different contexts as well. Except wall pieces all the fragments need to get drawn (rim- and bottom pieces, lids). This also applies for decorated and special/ unique pieces.
The fascinating thing about drawing is that with the help of a tiny shard it allows us to reconstruct a ceramic vessel in parts or even entirely. To draw a shard you should start with the profile, when that is done you can easily copy the outlines to the other side with tracing paper. At last all the important sections and edges get drawn in as horizontals as well and all information about the person who drawed, the date, context number. etc. and further information about the object get put on the paper.
Many people have problems in the beginning („Look, it looks like a peanut!“), but routine is everything! And it would be helpful to have a good eye and 3- and 2 dimensional imagination… Sounds complicated and of course not everybody likes it, but drawing is an important aspect of our work and especially for publications absolutely necessary, because things get very often more clear if you see objects as a drawing.
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