Погребение эпохи средней бронзы с игрально-гадальными костями из Нижнего Поднестровья / The Middle Bronze Age Catacomb Grave and the Dice Set from the Lower Dniester Region

Abstract

The group of barrows called “Glinoe/Orchard” contained the barrow mound No.1 where the catacomb grave (No.11) of a rare type with a set of three dice made of red deer antler tines has been discovered. Before now, only five graves attributed to the Ingul Catacomb Graves Culture containing such gaming paraphernalia were reported. Also, a friable and deliberately burned shaft-hole axe-hammer head made of a volcanic rock found in the grave seems to be rather special for the Middle Bronze Age culture in question. The antler surface modifications may suggest that unusually big dice have been in short use. In the past, in order to engrave symbols on dice, some copper or bronze tool was applied.

Keywords

• the Lower Dniester region
• Glinoe
• the Middle Bronze Age
• the Ingul Catacomb Graves Culture
• dice
• antler industry
• traceology