Two bone dice

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These bone dice were found at the site of the Neolithic village of Skara Brae in Orkney. They were used sometime between 3100 and 2400 BC.

The dice have been decorated with combinations of notches, grooves and dots.

The settlement of Skara Brae was buried in sand, thus preserving buildings to a large height and a range of every-day objects. The inhabitants of Skara Brae used bone and antler for a range of objects including shovels, awls, pins, knives and even beads.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-457-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HA 574
• Date: Between 3100 and 2400 BC
  
• Material: Bone; cubical; with a single notch across opposing faces and two large and small dots on one of other faces
  Bone; rectangular; with two opposing narrower faces decorated with one vertical and one transverse groove, and two vertical and one transverse groove respectively, one of the other faces with five dots
  Die
  Die
  
• Dimensions: 0.60" L
  0.90" L
  
• What: Die
  Die
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  
• Event:
• Description: Neolithic bone die from Skara Brae
  Neolithic bone die from Skara Brae
  
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