Rock Art Research

This is the first attempt to consider the subject of cupules in Iran. Several occurrences are briefly described from the western province of Kurdistan, showing that this hitherto neglected phenomenon is in need of scientific consideration. Cupules often cooccur with mortars used for utilitarian purposes, and sometimes also alongside natural rock modifications, such as potholes. They can also be associated with major concentrations of other petroglyphs, as they are in many other parts of the world.