Cup

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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

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-471-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: 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
  
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• 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
  
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