Thus , cultures can be distinguished by patterns of craftsmanship ; for instance , if one excavated sherd of pottery is decorated with a triangular pattern .
Another sherd with a chequered pattern , cultures likely belong to different cultures .
Thus , cultures can be distinguished by patterns of craftsmanship ; for instance , if one excavated sherd of pottery is decorated with a triangular pattern , and another sherd with a chequered pattern , they likely belong to different cultures .