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DIE
Unique ID: LVPL-AE5A21
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A lead throwing die of unknown date. The die is cuboid in shape, with six sides. The holes have been drilled and the sides have not been organised in the standard 'seven' system, where the total of the holes on opposing sides add up to seven. 1 is opposite 3, 2 is opposite 4, 5 is opposite 6.
The die is dark brownish white in colour. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.
Dice are frequently found and can be of any date from the Roman period through to the Post Medieval period (AD 43 to AD 1700). It has been suggested that apart from their usual role in games of chance, the clergy may have occasionally used them as they could identify 56 different virtues, one for each of the outcomes created by throwing three dice together, and therefore to help them choose between different courses of action (Egan, 1997, 1).
Egan, G. 1997. Dice. Finds Research Group datasheet 23. Finds Research Group.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: UNKNOWN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 1800
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 9 mm
Width: 10 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 10th August 2015
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: North West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Lancashire (County)
District: West Lancashire (District)
To be known as: Lathom
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egan, G. | 1997 | Dice | Finds Research Group 700-1700 Datasheet 23 |
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