Magic bowls such as this one were buried in foundations of buildings throughout the ancient Middle East to protect houses and their inhabitants from evil spirits. Opinions differ as to the actual ritual associated with these objects, but it is generally believed that the bowls could entrap and expel evil powers. Written in Aramaic, the partially deciphered script painted concentrically on the inside of the bowl contains a plea that the threshold of Yaqob, son of Imirabu, be guarded and that in his home there will be sons and daughters and oxen.