Cup

This bone cup was found at the site of the Neolithic village of Skara Brae in Orkney. Traces of red ochre, a yellow or reddish-brown earth used in early paints or dyes, are preserved on the interior. The cup was used sometime between 3100 and 2400 BC.

The small cup was made from a vertebra (a segment of the spinal column) of a fish or sea mammal such as a dolphin or whale. It is damaged.

The settlement of Skara Brae was buried in sand, thus preserving buildings to a large height and a range of every-day objects. The inhabitants of Skara Brae used bone and antler for a range of objects including shovels, awls, pins, knives and even beads.

Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID:	000-100-040-471-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.HA 588
Date:	Between 3100 and 2400 BC
Material:	Bone, cetacean and fish; interior retaining traces of red ochre; damaged
Dimensions:	1.00" D
What:
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
Event:
Description:	Cup made of cetacean and fish vertebrae, with interior retaining traces of red ochre, from Skara Brae
References:
Translations:
Related Records:

< 125 of 330 > Back