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Gloucester,
Gloucester Castle
Tables Set
c. 1090-1120
A
set of thirty bone and antler playing pieces (six are illustrated)
from a so-called 'tables (or tabula) set' found in excavations at
Gloucester Castle. All thirty pieces are decorated with different
designs, some recognisable, others less so.
Enough of the original bone plates from the playing surface of the
board survived to show that it was also elaborate, and that the game
played was a fore-runner of modern backgammon. The board and pieces
were thrown into a rubbish pit at sometime before 1120, and perhaps
as early as the 1090s, although the board may have been older than
the pieces.
Dimensions
(average): D. 44, T.7mm
(Information
from Malcolm Watkins, Gloucester City Museum)
Bibliography
:
Stewart, I. and Watkins, M., 1984. 'An 11th century bone tabula
set from Gloucester', Medieval Archaeology 28, 185-90
Location
:
Gloucester City Museum
http://www.mylife.gloucester.gov.uk/City%20Museum/Tables/gloucest.htm
(Photo:
©Gloucester City Museum)
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