Description

Gambling, and especially dice games, were widespread and popular in all levels of society during the Middle Ages. Games were often played for goods or money, which repeatedly attracted cheats and loaded dice. As a result, laws and regulations were sometimes enacted that clearly defined the characteristics of dice. For example, the pips on the dice had to be evenly and correctly arranged, and the sides of the dice had to be precisely shaped, uniform, and of the same length to achieve a "fair" result. From the mid-13th century, specifically from the period of the Hohenstaufen-era attempt to found a town on the Glauberg plateau, our excavations yielded three bone dice, one of which you see here. They are properly marked with (circular) pips and uniformly shaped – so no cause for complaint!