The Lightning Whelk, Busycon contrarium, a sinistral shelled mollusk preys on bivavles and is found on coasts from Texas to North Carolina. Native tribes would fashion drinking vessels from this whelk shell which were used to serve Yaupon.
It took me two hours with a drill and grinding disk to cut open this whelk, and it was old with some brittle spots. This one is seven-inches long. It only holds half-a-cup as is, perhaps another half-cup if the whelk whorl is gripped by the palm with the fingers between the horns. These cockle shells hold about a half-a-cup.
The engraved shell cup artifact on pg. 108 of Black Drink (Hudson) is ten inches long.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EarthGoods4TheSpirit
This website on Etsy features carved conch art. There used to be a skillfully constructed whelk cup featured there: "hand-carved-conch-shell-canoe-noggin-cup, which you can still see with Google Images...
-------------------------
Science 10 August 2012: 628-629.
[DOI:10.1126/science.337.6095.628-a]
(from Random Samples)
...amounts of what the travelers called black drink (inset). The highly caffeinated tea was brewed from the shrub Ilex vomitoria, a species of holly. Researchers have now found the first direct evidence of black drink--in ceramic beakers...
refers to J.Archaeological Science article at bottom of this page?
--------------------------
Wikipedia's growing contribution:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busycon_contrarium
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Black Tea Time in Texas - A Ritual Drinking Vessel?
Archeological Excavations: Nov, 2009 Shannon Graham
http://www.arrowheadology.com/black-tea-time-in-texas-a-ritual-drinking-vessel/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Devil in the Details
Archeology: Volume 58 Number 3, May/June 2005
Jerald T. Milanich
http://www.archaeology.org/0505/abstracts/florida.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lightning Whelk (Busycon perversum pulleyi)
Texas Parks and Wildlife
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/lwhelk/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thesis: Prehistoric Shell Artifacts from the Apalachicola...
Eric Eyles
(lots of actual archeological data - long)
http://etd.fcla.edu/SF/SFE0000498/eeylesthesis.pdf
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The persistence of caffeine in experimentally produced black drink residues
Eleanora A. Reber, Matthew T. Kerr
Anthropology, UNC Wilmington, NC
Journal of Archaeological Science Volume 39, Issue 7, July 2012, Pages 2312–2319
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440312000726
Used GC/MS techniques to analyze residues left by Yaupon Decoction brewed in various clay vessels
Ancient Energy Boost, Brewed From Toasted Leaves and Bark
By John Wilford Noble Published: August 8, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/science/ancient-caffeinated-8216black-drink8217-was-made-with-holly-analysis-finds.html?_r=1&
This New York Times Science article reports on the findings of the following publication from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Ritual Black Drink consumption at Cahokia
Patricia L. Crown, Thomas E. Emersoh, Jivan Guc, W. Jeffrey Hurstd, Timothy R. Pauketate, and Timothy Ward.
June 29, 2012
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/08/01/1208404109.abstract
Abstract Chemical analyses of organic residues in fragments of pottery from the large site of Cahokia and surrounding smaller sites in Illinois reveal theobromine, caffeine, and ursolic acid, biomarkers for species of Ilex (holly) used to prepare the ritually important Black Drink. As recorded during the historic period, men consumed Black Drink in portions of the American Southeast for ritual purification. This first demonstrated discovery of biomarkers for Ilex occurs in beaker vessels dating between A.D. 1050 and 1250 from Cahokia, located far north of the known range of the holly species used to prepare Black Drink during historic times. The association of Ilex and beaker vessels indicates a sustained ritual consumption of a caffeine-laced drink made from the leaves of plants grown in the southern United States.
They identify ursolic acid as one of the constituents of yaupon black drink. Ursolic acid has potential for anticancer activities, seems to protect muscles from wasting during fasting, and influences glucose metabolism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursolic_acid
http://patrickarnoldblog.com/breaking-new-research-on-ursolic-acid/
http://examine.com/supplements/Ursolic+Acid/
Ritual drinks in the pre-Hispanic US Southwest and Mexican Northwest
Patricia L. Crown, Jiyan Gu, W. Jeffrey Hurst, Timothy J. Ward, Ardith D. Bravenec, Syed Ali, Laura Kebert, Marlaina Berch, Erin Redman, Patrick D. Lyons, Jamie Merewether, David A. Phillips, Lori S. Reed, and Kyle Woodson
Aug 7, 2015
http://www.pnas.org/content/112/37/11436.long
Abstract: Chemical analyses of organic residues in fragments of pottery from 18 sites in the US Southwest and Mexican Northwest reveal combinations of methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline) indicative of stimulant drinks, probably concocted using either cacao or holly leaves and twigs. The results cover a time period from around A.D. 750–1400, and a spatial distribution from southern Colorado to northern Chihuahua. As with populations located throughout much of North and South America, groups in the US Southwest and Mexican Northwest likely consumed stimulant drinks in communal, ritual gatherings. The results have implications for economic and social relations among North American populations. (two more paragraphs in abstract)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Murder and Martyrdom in Spanish Florida : Don Juan and the Guale uprising of 1597. (Anthropological papers of the American Museum of Natural History, no. 95) Francis, J. Michael (John Michael); Kole, Kathleen M., 1984-; Thomas, David Hurst. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2246/6123
http://dx.doi.org/10.5531/sp.anth.0095 Date: 2011-08-03
This document thoroughly explores the interactions of the Spanish empire with the indigenous peoples of the Georgia and Florida coasts, yet it only mentions the use of Black Drink or Cassine once. Several maps indicate locations of the Spanish missions and Guale villages. Some other sources I've seen suggest that the Indians brought cassine or dahoon as tribute and trade to the Crown (as well as maize, fish, etc.), and that the soldiers at St. Augustine used the caffeine containing plants when supply ships were scarce and coffee supplies low.
------------------------------
Early History of the Creek Indians and Their Neighbors (1922)
Author: John Reed Swanton Year: 1922 Book from the collections of: University of Michigan
Notes: Deals with all nations once belonging to the Creek Confederacy: Hitchiti, Alabama, and Choctaw groups; Tuskegee, Guale, Yamasee, Cusabo, Chatot, Osochi; Muskogee and Natchez branches; Uchean and Timuquanan stock; South Florida Indians; Tamahiti.
http://archive.org/details/earlyhistorycre00swangoog
---------------------------------------
Myths and Tales of the Southeastern Indians
John R. Swanton
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/se/mtsi/index.htm
Story #10 of the Creek Stories recounts the origin of tobacco.
Black Drink ritual precedes discovery of tobacco in this version of the tale.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/se/mtsi/mtsi012.htm
----------------------------------
also of interest: Creek Religion and Medicine also by Swanton
The engraved shell cup artifact on pg. 108 of Black Drink (Hudson) is ten inches long.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EarthGoods4TheSpirit
This website on Etsy features carved conch art. There used to be a skillfully constructed whelk cup featured there: "hand-carved-conch-shell-canoe-noggin-cup, which you can still see with Google Images...
-------------------------
Science 10 August 2012: 628-629.
[DOI:10.1126/science.337.6095.628-a]
(from Random Samples)
...amounts of what the travelers called black drink (inset). The highly caffeinated tea was brewed from the shrub Ilex vomitoria, a species of holly. Researchers have now found the first direct evidence of black drink--in ceramic beakers...
refers to J.Archaeological Science article at bottom of this page?
--------------------------
Wikipedia's growing contribution:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busycon_contrarium
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Black Tea Time in Texas - A Ritual Drinking Vessel?
Archeological Excavations: Nov, 2009 Shannon Graham
http://www.arrowheadology.com/black-tea-time-in-texas-a-ritual-drinking-vessel/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Devil in the Details
Archeology: Volume 58 Number 3, May/June 2005
Jerald T. Milanich
http://www.archaeology.org/0505/abstracts/florida.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lightning Whelk (Busycon perversum pulleyi)
Texas Parks and Wildlife
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/lwhelk/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thesis: Prehistoric Shell Artifacts from the Apalachicola...
Eric Eyles
(lots of actual archeological data - long)
http://etd.fcla.edu/SF/SFE0000498/eeylesthesis.pdf
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The persistence of caffeine in experimentally produced black drink residues
Eleanora A. Reber, Matthew T. Kerr
Anthropology, UNC Wilmington, NC
Journal of Archaeological Science Volume 39, Issue 7, July 2012, Pages 2312–2319
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440312000726
Used GC/MS techniques to analyze residues left by Yaupon Decoction brewed in various clay vessels
Ancient Energy Boost, Brewed From Toasted Leaves and Bark
By John Wilford Noble Published: August 8, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/science/ancient-caffeinated-8216black-drink8217-was-made-with-holly-analysis-finds.html?_r=1&
This New York Times Science article reports on the findings of the following publication from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Ritual Black Drink consumption at Cahokia
Patricia L. Crown, Thomas E. Emersoh, Jivan Guc, W. Jeffrey Hurstd, Timothy R. Pauketate, and Timothy Ward.
June 29, 2012
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/08/01/1208404109.abstract
Abstract Chemical analyses of organic residues in fragments of pottery from the large site of Cahokia and surrounding smaller sites in Illinois reveal theobromine, caffeine, and ursolic acid, biomarkers for species of Ilex (holly) used to prepare the ritually important Black Drink. As recorded during the historic period, men consumed Black Drink in portions of the American Southeast for ritual purification. This first demonstrated discovery of biomarkers for Ilex occurs in beaker vessels dating between A.D. 1050 and 1250 from Cahokia, located far north of the known range of the holly species used to prepare Black Drink during historic times. The association of Ilex and beaker vessels indicates a sustained ritual consumption of a caffeine-laced drink made from the leaves of plants grown in the southern United States.
They identify ursolic acid as one of the constituents of yaupon black drink. Ursolic acid has potential for anticancer activities, seems to protect muscles from wasting during fasting, and influences glucose metabolism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursolic_acid
http://patrickarnoldblog.com/breaking-new-research-on-ursolic-acid/
http://examine.com/supplements/Ursolic+Acid/
Ritual drinks in the pre-Hispanic US Southwest and Mexican Northwest
Patricia L. Crown, Jiyan Gu, W. Jeffrey Hurst, Timothy J. Ward, Ardith D. Bravenec, Syed Ali, Laura Kebert, Marlaina Berch, Erin Redman, Patrick D. Lyons, Jamie Merewether, David A. Phillips, Lori S. Reed, and Kyle Woodson
Aug 7, 2015
http://www.pnas.org/content/112/37/11436.long
Abstract: Chemical analyses of organic residues in fragments of pottery from 18 sites in the US Southwest and Mexican Northwest reveal combinations of methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline) indicative of stimulant drinks, probably concocted using either cacao or holly leaves and twigs. The results cover a time period from around A.D. 750–1400, and a spatial distribution from southern Colorado to northern Chihuahua. As with populations located throughout much of North and South America, groups in the US Southwest and Mexican Northwest likely consumed stimulant drinks in communal, ritual gatherings. The results have implications for economic and social relations among North American populations. (two more paragraphs in abstract)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Murder and Martyrdom in Spanish Florida : Don Juan and the Guale uprising of 1597. (Anthropological papers of the American Museum of Natural History, no. 95) Francis, J. Michael (John Michael); Kole, Kathleen M., 1984-; Thomas, David Hurst. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2246/6123
http://dx.doi.org/10.5531/sp.anth.0095 Date: 2011-08-03
This document thoroughly explores the interactions of the Spanish empire with the indigenous peoples of the Georgia and Florida coasts, yet it only mentions the use of Black Drink or Cassine once. Several maps indicate locations of the Spanish missions and Guale villages. Some other sources I've seen suggest that the Indians brought cassine or dahoon as tribute and trade to the Crown (as well as maize, fish, etc.), and that the soldiers at St. Augustine used the caffeine containing plants when supply ships were scarce and coffee supplies low.
------------------------------
Early History of the Creek Indians and Their Neighbors (1922)
Author: John Reed Swanton Year: 1922 Book from the collections of: University of Michigan
Notes: Deals with all nations once belonging to the Creek Confederacy: Hitchiti, Alabama, and Choctaw groups; Tuskegee, Guale, Yamasee, Cusabo, Chatot, Osochi; Muskogee and Natchez branches; Uchean and Timuquanan stock; South Florida Indians; Tamahiti.
http://archive.org/details/earlyhistorycre00swangoog
---------------------------------------
Myths and Tales of the Southeastern Indians
John R. Swanton
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/se/mtsi/index.htm
Story #10 of the Creek Stories recounts the origin of tobacco.
Black Drink ritual precedes discovery of tobacco in this version of the tale.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/se/mtsi/mtsi012.htm
----------------------------------
also of interest: Creek Religion and Medicine also by Swanton
Holey Whelk (BNRM)