Gaming board and playing pieces

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This slate gaming board and four quartz pebble playing pieces, part of a set of 16, were found at the site of the Norse settlement of Jarlshof in Shetland. They were used between 1050 and 1200.

The board has an incised chequer-board pattern on one face.

Viking gaming pieces of bone, amber, glass or stone have been found both in settlements and burials. Various types of games were played, including a type of war game and others involving the use of dice.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-042-678-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HSA 801
• Date: Between 1050 and 1200
  
• Material: Quartz, white
  Slate; incised chequer board pattern on one face
  Board, gaming
  Pebble / playing piece
  
• Dimensions: 5.80" x 3.50" x 0.50"
  
• What: Board, gaming
  Pebble / playing piece
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
  Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
  
• Event:
• Description: Set of sixteen white quartz pebbles used as playing pieces, from Jarlshof
  Slate gaming board with incised chequer board pattern on one face, from Jarlshof
  
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