Gaming board and playing pieces

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.

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Online ID:	000-100-042-678-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: 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
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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