Find Spot record 15885 - Metal Detecting Find from Barrow

<1> Portable Antiquities Scheme, Various, Portable Antiquities Data Import, LVPL-0BB417 (Digital Archive). SCH5212.

A complete Roman cast lead throwing die of unknown date (AD 43-1800). The die is cuboid in shape, with six sides. The holes have been drilled in a non-conventional manner and the sides have not been organised in the standard 'seven' system, where the total of the holes on opposing sides add up to seven. 1 is opposite 3, 2 is opposite 4, 5 is opposite 6. The die is light brown/white in colour. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail. Dice are frequently found and can be of any date from the Roman period through to the Post Medieval period (AD 43 to AD 1700). It has been suggested that apart from their usual role in games of chance, the clergy may have occasionally used them as they could identify 56 different virtues, one for each of the outcomes created by throwing three dice together, and therefore to help them choose between different courses of action (see 3).

<2> The British Museum, Portable Antiquities Scheme Online Database, LVPL-0BB417 (Web Site). SCH5176.

<3> Egan, G., 1997, Dice: Finds Research Group Datasheet 23, 1 (Journal/Periodical). SCH9108.