Three Knuckle bone Gaming Pieces

New Kingdom

ca. 1550–1458 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 114

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.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Three Knuckle bone Gaming Pieces
Period: New Kingdom
Dynasty: Dynasty 18, early
Date: ca. 1550–1458 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Asasif, Courtyard CC 41, Pit 1, Chamber B, MMA excavations, 1915–16
Medium: Bone
Dimensions: a: L. 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in); w 2.1 cm (13/16 cm) ; b: L. 2.7 cm (1 1/16 in); w 1.8 cm (11/16 in); c: L. 2.5 cm (1 in); w 1.6 cm (5/8 in)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1916
Object Number: 16.10.505a–c
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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