Etymological Reconstruction and Archaeological Hypotheses: The Dual Origin of the Word "Krúzhka" and Its Connection to Prehistoric Technologies

This article proposes an alternative etymological reconstruction of the Russian word “kruzhka” (mug or cup) and related concepts such as “krug” (circle) and “krushit” (to crush), exploring their potential connection to two fundamentally different methods of vessel manufacturing in prehistoric times. Traditional etymological dictionaries, such as Max Vasmer’s (1986), indicate an uncertain origin for this term, linking it either to the Old Russian “kruzhok” (circle) or to the Polish “kruż” (pitcher) and further to the Greek “krossos.” This work hypothesizes that the word “kruzhka” may have originated as a conceptual synthesis of two technological processes: “kruzheniye” (turning on a potter's wheel) and “krusheniye” (crushing or breaking apart plant segments). This duality may reflect the evolution of human technology from the primitive creation of vessels from natural materials to more complex crafts.