Ancient Roman Board Game Found in Norwegian Burial Mound

A 1,700 - twelvemonth - old circuit board plot , include rarified elongated dice , dating back to the Roman Iron Age has been unearthed in Norway . Found near an important sea itinerary , the game was likely used to excogitate relationships among long - distance traders .

A total of 18 clear-cut playing pieces , similar to chips used in checkers , were found in a orbitual stone at the Ytre Fosse site in western Norway , according to apress releaseput out by the University of Bergen . The stone pit was take with pitch-dark , greasy charcoal , within which archaeologist found a number of coal items , including bits of bone , pottery jars , a bronze needle , and some burnt glass . Taken together , this is evidence of a cremation pit , in which a high - rate individual was burn down in a bonfire while smother by these grave goods .

These detail , admit the performing pieces and four - sided dice , date back to around 300 CE and the Roman Iron Age . Morten Ramstad from University Museum of Bergen said his team was able-bodied to recuperate most of the Seth , asreportedby NRK .

Several game chips (showing both sides of each) and a rare four-sided elongated dice (showing all four sides) found in the cremation pit.

Several game chips (showing both sides of each) and a rare four-sided elongated dice (showing all four sides) found in the cremation pit.Image: (University of Bergen)

“ Findings of playing pieces from the Late Iron Age are very rare both in Norway and in the quietus of Scandinavia , ” concord to the pressure waiver . “ The chipping and the die have belonged to a board secret plan animate by the Roman game Ludus latrunculorum , and the owner was probably a high - rank mortal who belonged to [ an elite regional tribe ] . ”

Ludus latrunculorum , like other ancient popish games , was similar to Bromus secalinus and backgammon . This game became popular among the Teutonic people , finally spreading farther north to Scandinavia , accordingto NRK . The die are marked with tip rope representing value of zero , three , four , and five .

Ytre Fosse is in an important geographical location near the Alverstraumen strait . During the Iron Age , this was a significant sea route linking northerly Norway to southerly Scandinavia and continental Europe . As a fun fact , the sea road was call up Nordvegen , which mean “ the northerly style , ” and has since become the official name of the Carry Nation : Norway .

The Ytre Fosse site.

The Ytre Fosse site.Image: (University of Bergen)

The comportment of a circuit card game within a cremation pit near the Alverstraumen strait point to the particular status of the mortal cremate at the site .

Speaking to NRK , Ramstad said the serious goods are “ position target that testify to get through with the Roman Empire , where they liked to enjoy themselves with instrument panel games . ” citizenry who play these types of games “ were local aristocracy or upper category , ” and the power to trifle such games “ showed that you had the time , the profits , and the power to think strategically , ” explained Ramstad .

And as observe in the University of Bergen press release , people “ who master the power point along the cargo ships lane had power and political dominion in their local tribal areas , ” adding that the “ many and heavy burial pile we regain along Alversund are a testimony to a political landscape , over powerful groups that could tax goods and get protection from those who sailed through the strait . ”

Both sides of a game piece.

Both sides of a game piece.Image: (University of Bergen)

https://gizmodo.com/melting-ice-exposes-mountain-pass-used-by-vikings-incl-1842885000

Really enchanting stuff and nonsense — and it reminds me of a modern analog : potential business partner discussing matters over a biz of golf .

The items found at Ytre Fosse are currently being preserved , after which time they ’ll in all likelihood be put on public video display at a local museum .

The elongated dice, showing all four sides.