Rock cupule

For other uses, see Cupule.
For the Maya chiefdom, see Cupul.
Cupules
Cup marks at the Slagsta petroglyph outside Stockholm, Sweden
MaterialRock
SizeBetween 1.5 and 10 cm in diameter
Present locationEvery continent except Antarctica

Rock cupules (/ˈkjuːpjuːl/) are artificially made depressions on rock surfaces that resemble the shape of an inverse spherical cap or dome.[1] They were made by direct percussion with hand-held hammer-stones, on vertical, sloping or horizontal rock surfaces. Cupules are widely believed to be the world's most common rock art motifs, found in huge numbers in every continent except Antarctica. They were produced in many cultures, from the Lower Paleolithic to the 20th century,[2][3] and they can be found on most lithologies. Similar artifacts from lithic Native American cultures are also known as cupstones.

The word cupule comes from the Late Latin cūpula, meaning "little cask".

  1. ^ Bednarik, RG 2008. Cupules. Rock Art Research 25(1): 61–100.
  2. ^ Mountford, CP 1976. Nomads of the Australian desert. Rigby, Adelaide, p. 213.
  3. ^ Querejazu Lewis, R, Camacho, D, Bednarik, RG 2015. The Kalatrancani Petroglyph Complex, central Bolivia. Rock Art Research 32(2): 219–230.