cupules

Cupules is a term used in two distinct disciplines, botany and archaeology, to describe cup-shaped structures or features. In both senses, the word conveys a small, rounded enclosure or depression that is recognizable by its characteristic shape.

In botany, cupule (plural cupules) refers to a cup-shaped covering or involucre around a seed or ovule in certain plants. The cupule may form as part of the fruit wall or as a distinct protective structure derived from other plant tissues. It can partially or fully enclose the seed, and its presence is used in descriptions of some fossil seed plants as well as certain living lineages. The exact structure and origin of a cupule can vary, but the common feature is a cup-like enclosure that interacts with the reproductive unit of the plant.

In archaeology, cupules are small, cup-shaped depressions carved or pecked into rock surfaces by humans. They occur in many regions around the world and date across broad time spans, from late prehistoric to historic periods. Cupules are typically circular or subcircular, with smooth or gently sloping rims, and they may appear alone or in clusters and patterns. The purpose of rock cupules remains debated; proposed explanations include ritual or ceremonial use, symbolic or social functions, or functional testing and toolwork by communities. Researchers distinguish authentic cupules from natural weathering through contextual evidence, morphology, patination, and experimental replication.

Across both senses, cupules are notable for their distinctive cup-like form and for the roles such structures or marks play in the study of plant reproduction and ancient human activity.