Archeologists Stumble on Rare Roman Gaming Piece Made From Bone Featuring a Common Ring and Dot Motif

A Roman gaming piece found in 2020 unveiled one of the ways ancient Romans passed their time. Archeologists discovered the gaming piece in Chester, England, BBC reported. The artifact was uncovered alongside other Roman relics which have been identified as a comb, a possible spearhead, and a pin or broach by experts. On analysis, it was discovered that the piece was made of bone.

The gaming piece is lozenge-shaped and measures around an inch, BBC reported. By the looks of it, researchers are claiming that the piece was highly used. Experts have also noted the Roman ring and dot motif on the artifact.

Experts speculated that the gaming piece was used by Roman soldiers to entertain themselves in the empire, Smithsonian Magazine reported. They believe the piece was part of a popular Roman board game called Ludus Latrunculorum, or the "Game of Mercenaries." The exact rules of this ancient game remain unclear. Researchers believe that the objective of the game was to test the participant's military prowess.

Authors like Ovid, Martial, and Varro have mentioned the game. From their writings, it can be figured out that it was played on a grid-like surface, similar to checkers or chess.

Researchers found the piece while doing archeological exploration in the Northgate development area. The place was going to become a major construction site and authorities wanted to ensure that they were not damaging any object of historical value. Their concern turned out to be legit, as archeologists ended up finding a hoard of Roman artifacts.

Authorities have announced that protecting the found artifacts is a huge priority for them. "We will be treading very carefully to protect the sensitive archeological remains on the site and we will be adding anything we find to our impressive collection of Roman artifacts at the Grosvenor Museum," said city council member Richard Beacham.

The discovery was celebrated in the local community. "Chester residents are unusually knowledgeable about the City’s heritage, including its archaeology, so these finds will excite great interest," Andrew Davison of Historic England explained. "They speak volumes about the quality of the archeology we are dealing with at this very significant site and I look forward to seeing more finds from the site as work continues."

Pieces of Ludus Latrunculorum have also been found in sites across Europe and the Middle East. This reflects the popularity of the game among ancient Roman soldiers.