Sialk was the site of a fortified town on a hill in present-day central Iran. A large cemetery, explored by archaeologists between 1933 and 1937, was located several hundred yards from the town. The grave pits contained jewelry, weapons, leather armor, horse trappings, and ceramic vessels, including many cups like this one. The cups were possibly used in funerary banquets or rituals before being placed in the grave and show the importance of drinking for Sialk’s inhabitants both living and dead.