Two bone dice

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:	0098: 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
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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