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GAMING PIECE
Unique ID: DOR-672EC3
Object type certainty: Possibly
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A possible gaming piece or die. A flat, oval copper alloy block. The two flat pointed oval faces and the two curving edges are marked with small circular recesses or dots, some still retaining red enamel infill. One flat face has five dots, the other six and on one edge there are two and the other has three.
Date: Roman to Early Medieval
Dimensions: 26.26 mm x 13.70 mm x 7.02 mm
Weight: 10.39 g
A very similar object is recorded in database record ASHM-383087. This is the same shape and has the same arrangement of dots, but the dots in this case are ring-and-dot stamps rather than enamelled recesses.
It is possible this item was used as a die in gaming, although the shape make two of the outcomes (two and three) far less likely than the other two (five and six). It may alternatively have been used in divination where the bias would have been less problematic.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: National importance
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by a museum - not a Treasure case
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 800
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 26.26 mm
Width: 13.7 mm
Thickness: 7.02 mm
Weight: 10.39 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: SCMS 017802
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with enamel
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Dorset (County)
District: West Dorset (District)
To be known as: West Compton
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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