knuckle bones

MAC GIR-041171

Object type knuckle bones

Culture/period

Materials bone

Technique

Mint

Production date -300 / -201

Museum Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya - Girona

Current location MASPG

Archaeological site Mas Castellar

Township Pontós (Europa, Espanya, Catalunya, Girona, Alt Empordà)

Dimensions

Description

Knuckle bones from the Iberian settlement of Mas Castellar (Pontós, Alt Empordà) dating from the third century BC. Knuckle bones are the astragali of sheep and goats, bones of the animal's foot or hoof, and have four faces. They were used to play like a dice in games of skill or chance. Knuckle bones are very common in ancient societies, as they are frequently found in the archaeological record and are fully associated with the world of games of chance. Some researchers believe that this type of bone also had some type of meaning of protection or related to luck and divination.

Omeka ID 3220