Avraham Faust, in Israel’s Ethnogenesis, continues to discuss pottery.
It seems clear that Israel, under David and Solomon and during the divided monarchy, participated in a thriving trade with the Phoenicians and others. Therefore, it is most surprising that we find almost no imported pottery at inland Israelite sites.
It is not just the Bible that supports the reality of flourishing trade.
Digs in the Ophel (the old city of David) section of Jerusalem have revealed bones of Mediterranean species of fish and items made from Mediterranean sea shells. We have a few samples of wood from there as well. And that wood was imported from outside of Israel. But practically no imported pottery.
The situation was similar for Beersheba and Beth-shemesh. These cities showed signs of vigorous trade. But imported pottery was mostly absent.
In contrast, we found much imported pottery in the coastal cities: Ashkelon, Dor and Acco.
Faust…
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James' Ramblings 
Interesting post 🙂
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