Goffart does not exclude the possibility that Paul had really seen the skull, but believes that by the 740s the connection between sin and barbarism as exemplified by the skull cup had already been established.
Goffart tidak mengesampingkan kemungkinan bahwa Paul sesungguhnya benar-benar melihat tengkorak itu, namun percaya bahwa pada tahun 740-an hubungan di antara dosal asal dan barbarisme seperti yang dicontohkan oleh cangkir tengkorak telah ditetapkan.