Archaeologists have discovered a nearly millennium old gaming collection preserved in the rubble of the 
ruins of Burgstein fortress near the village of the Holzelfinger in the Lichtenstein district south of Tรผbingen. Pieces include dice, flower-shaped tokens and a chessman (see below) carved from deer antler and have been remarkably well preserved. One of the seven skills that knights (Ritter, the game piece is called Springer—see previously) were expected to master (fencing, archery, hunting, swimming, riding and poetry being the other disciplines), researchers hope that further analysis of the find will lead to insights in play in Europe during the Middle Ages. While studies continue, the pieces will be on display at a special exhibition hosted in the Schlรถsspark in Pfullingen near Stuttgart. More at The History Blog at the link up top, including videos and three-dimension recreations of the artefacts.
synchronoptica
one year ago: extended frames by AI, assorted links worth revisiting plus an overview of fan-fiction
two years ago: Poltergeist (1982), the Rotel plus more links to enjoy
three years ago: vintage Japanese electronics
four years ago: the Free Republic of Wendland (1980), Roquefort cheese (1411), a counter-protest photo op, spagetty images plus more on the colour of money
five years ago: the thirty-fifth of May (1989), more on the Lewis Chessmen, an AI names cats, an innovative airplane design plus flight-shaming
