cupule

Cupule is a term used in both botany and archaeology to describe a cup-shaped form, but the two senses refer to very different phenomena. Etymologically, it comes from the Latin cupula, meaning “little cup.”

In botanical usage, a cupule is a cup-shaped involucre or protective covering around a fruit, seed, or inflorescence. It can be formed by modified bracts, perianth parts, or other floral structures and may partially enclose developing seeds or fruits. In some plant groups, such as certain cycads and related fossil plants, the cupule is a recognizable enclosing structure that may persist as part of the fruiting body or later decay away. The term is most common in paleobotany and descriptive botany when the enclosing structure resembles a tiny cup, but its exact form and function can vary across taxa.

In archaeology, cupule refers to a cup-shaped depression or hollow pecked, carved, or ground into rock surfaces by prehistoric peoples. Cupules (cup-marked stones) are found in many regions of the world, including parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, and range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters. They are often found individually or in clusters and can appear in patterns or alignments. The purpose of cupules is debated; explanations include ritual or ceremonial use, territorial or social signaling, or calendrical/astronomical functions. Dating typically places cupule sites in various prehistoric periods, with regional chronologies differing widely.

Overall, cupule is a versatile term reflecting a cup-like structure in plants and a cup-mark in rock art, each indicating distinct biological or cultural phenomena.