oʊˈstrɑːkən

Definitions

1. noun

A potsherd or piece of broken pottery, especially one bearing ancient writing or graffiti

“The archaeologist carefully examined the ostracon to decipher the ancient hieroglyphics.”

2. noun

A written message or note, especially a graffito, scratched on a potsherd or other surface

“The ostracon revealed a cryptic message from an ancient Egyptian scribe.”