Three Knuckle bone Gaming Pieces
New Kingdom
The term "knuckle bone" designates the astragalus, a small bone found within the tarsal joint of hooved animals. It was used as a randomizing device because it has four long sides on which it could land when cast, with the numerical value assigned to the side facing up. Imitations of astragalus bones were also made from wood, clay, ivory, stone, and metal. In Egypt, these are better attested from the 17th Dynasty on, which is likely related to the introduction of the game of twenty squares. Egyptians adopted astragali to play senet, and these are the only casting devices represented in New Kingdom playing scenes.
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