Iron Age II Miniature Black Juglets from the Tombs in Mamilla, Jerusalem

This article adresses previous notions of the rare appearance of miniature black juglets in Iron Age II stratified deposits in Judahite sites, as opposed to their abundance in contemporary tombs. This unique pottery type is discussed, considering its date, production technique and decoration, while hypothesizing about their specific use as a burial gift for the dead or as part of a burial ceremony. The finds from two tombs excavated in the Mamilla cemetery in Jerusalem shed light on the function and chronology of these juglets.