  We propose an interpretation of the $\xi$-scaling behavior of nuclear
structure functions observed at Bjorken $x>1$ and $Q^2 \lesssim 4 \, {\rm
(GeV/c)^2}$. We show that at $\xi \gtrsim 1$, $\xi$-scaling might arise
accidentally because of the approximate cancellation of two different
$Q^2$-dependent effects, namely Final State Interactions and the effects
implicit in the choice of the scaling variable $\xi$. We provide a new
convolution formula for the nuclear structure function in terms of $\xi$ and
make predictions for the kinematical regions where Final State Interactions are
expected to be small and the suggested balancing of scaling violations is
expected to break down. Our analysis is aimed at the final goal of clarifying
the range of applicability of local duality ideas in nuclei.
