Bone gaming die uncovered in the City of David

• Published date: 10 April 2024
• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The small die, crafted from bone, features engravings of circles with numbers from 1 to 6 on each face, closely mirroring the design of modern dice

Dr. Filip Vukosavović and Itamar Berko, the directors of the excavation, emphasized the historical importance of such finds. "Bones were a readily available and inexpensive material in ancient times," they explained. "They were used to create a variety of everyday items, including musical instruments, makeup utensils, riding pins, dining utensils, and, evidently, items for games."

This gaming die is recognized as the oldest known gaming tool to date. Archaeological evidence traces the existence of similar dice back to as early as 2000 BCE. The die discovered in the Pool of Siloam has been accurately dated to the Ayyubid period, specifically the 13th to 14th centuries CE, providing a tangible connection to the leisurely...