Set of Two Ancient Roman Bone Gaming Dice, 100-300AD, Roman Britain

A pair of beautifully preserved Roman bone gaming dice, hand made almost 2,000 years ago and in completely unrestored natural condition.

This dice exhibit the classic irregularities of ancient bone craftsmanship: natural pitting, slight asymmetry, and a rich, darkened patina formed over nearly two millennia. The patches of darker coloration suggests long burial and mineral absorption, producing strong visual character.

Roman dice were everyday objects used in taverns, homes, military camps, and even placed in graves as personal possessions to accompany their owners into the afterlife.
The slight variation of sizes suggest a set used for multiple games, reflecting authentic use rather than decorative production.

 Examples recorded by the Museum of London show identical carving techniques, pitting, and wear patterns, reinforcing the authenticity of this piece.

Comparable Recorded Specimens:

• London Museum Collection: Roman bone dice excavated across the City of London, 1st–4th century AD, showing similar size ranges and wear patterns.  click here to view

• Museum of London Archaeology Reports: Dice sets documented in both graves and household contexts, often accompanying other gaming counters or personal items.

Specimen Details:

Period: Roman Empire, 1st–3rd century AD

Material: Bone (likely animal bone)

Dimensions: approx. 12 × 10 x 11 mm and 14 × 15 × 15 mm

Condition: Unrestored; faint traces of wear consistent with extensive use; natural patina intact

Provenance: Excavated in Britain, Likely London or surrounding areas. 

Significance: This unrestored pair of dice combines historical, social, and spiritual contexts in a single, collectible set. It demonstrates not only the Romans’ love of games but also the practice of including personal items in burial rites, bridging domestic life and afterlife beliefs.