ABSTRACT
A small pierced cup, found with other pottery in an Early Bronze Age tomb at Jericho during Kathleen Kenyon's excavations in 1956, has been studied with particular emphasis on its history and function. The tombs date from approximately 2200 to 2000 BCE and were used by semi-nomadic pastoralists. They contain grave goods including ceramics such as pierced cups as well as larger vessels. The surface deposits, fabric, and colour of the vessel were examined and appear typical of pottery of that region. It is one of several examples of a type of pot found at Jericho and Lachish, which are variously described as strainers or funnels. Replication of the pot showed that these pots were quickly made by hand, and a series of practical experiments using the replicas demonstrate its possible use as a funnel or decanting tool.
