In
archaeology
Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landsc ...
, a beaker is a small round ceramic or metal drinking vessel shaped to be held in the hands. It has no handle or spout.
Term
Archaeologist
Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landsca ...
s identify several different types including the
inverted-bell beaker, the
butt beaker, the
claw beaker, and the
rough-cast beaker.
When used alone “beaker” usually refers to the typical form of pottery cups called ''inverted-bell beakers'' associated with the European
Beaker culture
The Bell Beaker culture, also known as the Bell Beaker complex or Bell Beaker phenomenon, is an archaeological culture named after the inverted-bell beaker drinking vessel used at the very beginning of the European Bronze Age. Arising from a ...
of the late
Neolithic
The Neolithic period, or New Stone Age, is an Old World archaeological period and the final division of the Stone Age. It saw the Neolithic Revolution, a wide-ranging set of developments that appear to have arisen independently in several pa ...
and early
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a historic period, lasting approximately from 3300 BC to 1200 BC, characterized by the use of bronze, the presence of writing in some areas, and other early features of urban civilization. The Bronze Age is the second pri ...
.
Bell beakers
The ''
inverted-bell beaker'' or ''bell-beaker'' was first defined as a find-type by
Lord Abercromby
Alexander Abercromby, Lord Abercromby of Tullibody (1745–1795) was a Scottish advocate, judge and essayist.
Life
Abercromby was born in Tullibody House in Clackmannanshire on 15 October 1745, the fourth and youngest son of George Abercro ...
in the early twentieth century and comes in three distinct forms, the (typical)
bell beaker
The Bell Beaker culture, also known as the Bell Beaker complex or Bell Beaker phenomenon, is an archaeological culture named after the inverted-bell beaker drinking vessel used at the very beginning of the European Bronze Age. Arising from ar ...
, and the rarer short-necked beaker, and long-necked beaker. There are many variations on these basic types, with inter-grades between them. Bell-beakers have been found from North Africa to southern Scotland and from Portugal to the far east of Europe, but are particularly common in the
Rhine
), Surselva, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source1_coordinates=
, source1_elevation =
, source2 = Rein Posteriur/Hinterrhein
, source2_location = Paradies Glacier, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source2_coordinates=
, source ...
valley and the coasts of the
North Sea
The North Sea lies between Great Britain, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. An epeiric sea on the European continental shelf, it connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the English Channel in the south and the Norwegian ...
.
Image:GBM - Glockenbecher 1.jpg, Typical bell-beaker from Atting, now at Gäubodenmuseum Straubing, Bavaria.
Image:Vas campaniforme amb decoració puntejada, cova de la Recambra, Museu Arqueològic de Gandia.JPG, Short-neck bell-beaker from cova de la Recambra, now at Museu Arqueològic de Gandia.
Image:Steinsburgmuseum 018.JPG, Long-neck bell-beaker, at Steinsburgmuseum.
“Typical” bell beakers appear to be the earliest type and are often covered with decoration made from impressing twisted cord into the unfired clay. When the decoration covers the whole vessel they are known as ''all-over corded'' (AOC) beakers. Where comb designs are used, perhaps along with cord impressions they are called ''all-over ornamented'' (AOO) beakers. Some have a looped handle on one side or a white coloured material pressed into the decoration, contrasting with the usual orange or brown ceramic.
The traditional archeological interpretation is that the original, typical bell-beaker shape was replaced by the short-necked form, which in turn was replaced by long-necked bell-beakers. However, work by Humphrey Case in the 1990s suggests that all three styles were used contemporaneously, with different shapes used for different purposes.
See also
*
Beaker (drinkware)
A beaker is a beverage container, typically of non-disposable plastic, or a ceramic cup or mug without a handle, much like a laboratory beaker.
The term ''beaker'' is used in parts of the United Kingdom, and particularly commonly to refer to a ...
*
Beaker (laboratory equipment)
In laboratory equipment, a beaker is generally a cylindrical container with a flat bottom.Oxford English Dictionary 1989 edition Most also have a small spout (or "beak") to aid pouring, as shown in the picture. Beakers are available in a wide range ...
*
Bell Beaker culture
The Bell Beaker culture, also known as the Bell Beaker complex or Bell Beaker phenomenon, is an archaeological culture named after the inverted-bell beaker drinking vessel used at the very beginning of the European Bronze Age. Arising from ar ...
Sources
*
External links
* {{cite AV media , url=http://www.doverdc.co.uk/images/beaker1.gif , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728094017/http://www.doverdc.co.uk/images/beaker1.gif , archive-date=2011-07-28 , medium=picture , title=A bell beaker from Kent, England
Archaeological artefact types