Archaic Drinking Cup Opinion Please

I found this cup at an estate sale, it measures 2-7/8"H x 2-3/4"-3" opening and 3-7/8"-4" bottom. Seems to have been decorated at one time with small circles or indentions. Seems to me to be stoneware or clay and it is very, very hard. How old could it be short of sending it in for TL testing.

 

I KNOW nothing about such vessels per se, but the bulbous shape combined wit h the narrower opening would make it difficult to "empty" the contents into a mouth during normal use, and the rim appears too thick to be comfortable to drink from.

Those observations are from a social anthropology view, not a technical view.

EDIT: My point was not to be argumentative, just to give you another avenue of exploration - such as do not limit your search to drinking cup as it may have been intended for another purpose. Sorry if it sounded otherwise - not enough caffeine and nicotine this am............

 

Hi Mario, I think you've said where you're located but I'm not remembering at this moment where that is.

It certainly looks old. The rolled rim may be an indication of its origin so I'd start by looking at early ceramics in the area where you found it.

I think I might see some dimpling if that's what you mean by circles. Those could be a decorative element, perhaps from fingers, or part of the construction process for example from slapping the pot with something.

If there is a museum or a university with an Anthropology/Archaeology Department convenient to you they might be able to help.

 

I'd just add a couple observations. It does look old, as in prehistoric, or pre-Columbian. And it is a crude little pot in a style found in many early cultures. If you are researching it, I would use the terms paint pot or seed pot or jar. I've seen these described as all of those. But I think you can rule out a drinking cup.

And secondly, keep in mind that where an object is purchased or "found," may have absolutely nothing to do with where it was made. Trade has been going on for centuries, resulting in a wide relocation of cultural items, and making an erroneous assumption about the origin based on where it was found, can just lead to making it harder to correctly identify it.

 

Wish there was one but no, there isn't, I say drinking cup because on one side of the rim/lip is either worn down or purposely made that way for drinking, on the sides opposite that part it is worn as if from the handling of it.

 

Duly noted, couldnt think of anything else to call it. Thanks.

 

Deciding what to call these little vessels has been controversial. Early books and studies did sometimes refer to them as drinking cups, but I don't think it has ever been conclusively proven that was the use.

Among American Indian tribes, materials other than clay were commonly used for drinking cups, such as shell, wood, or gourds.

In Central and South America, pottery drinking cups were made, but they were highly decorated little works of art, and didn't resemble this type of item at all.

Since American Indian potters never used glazes, and often fired their pottery at low temperatures, pottery would not be a good choice for making a cup.

 

Wow that is certainly an interesting piece you found there. Unfortunately without any markings at all it will be extremely hard to find out what it is. For all we know it could be a very old kids school art project. I think if anything you will be able to find the age based on how it is made. Who knows may be a good find.

 

From the knowledgeable replies that I received I narrowed it down to it being early Mississipian pottery and possible Caddo but earlier than those. They date the Caddo culture to the first century and from looking at it, it, more than likely, is that old. Cool. Again, thanks.