I shall sup from your skull

Michael Balter 2/17/2011 02:42:00 AM Science
Some people, such as the Aghori sect of India, still do this today. As I report today on Science's online news service, the practice of making skull cups--and drinking or eating from them--goes back to Upper Paleolithic times, at least 15,000 years ago. Here's the first paragraph to get you started:

CHEDDAR GORGE, UNITED KINGDOM—How do you make a drinking cup out of a human skull? It's fairly easy if you have some sharp tools—and a strong stomach. Scalp the head; remove the ears, eyes, lower jaw, and other pesky parts; and buff the jagged edges. Voilà! You've got a skull cup fit to toast your friends or your enemies.


Photo: Natural History Museum, London
Michael Balter

Posted by Michael Balter

I have been a working journalist for more than 40 years, beginning in Los Angeles as an investigative reporter and then in Paris as a travel, food, and science writer. For more than 20 years I have covered anthropology and archaeology writer for Science, Audubon, Scientific American, SAPIENS, and other publications. I have also covered sexual misconduct for The Verge, Scientific American, and others; I write about mental health, especially schizophrenia; and I engage in occasional media criticism. I returned to the USA in October 2017 after 30 years in Paris, and now live in the New York City area, where I currently teach journalism at City College of New York (I previously taught journalism at Boston University and New York University.) For more about me and what I do, copies of my articles, information about my book, and other goodies, please visit MY WEB SITE

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1 Comments

Rob said…
Great article Michael. Just kinda glad there's been some evolution of utensils.
February 17, 2011 at 9:22 PM
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