Mudlarking in London - found a dice.

[BugbrookeBen]

Hi everyone,

I had a really nice time today, I went mudlarking near the millennium bridge. I found lots of things such as 17th century floor bricks,  bones, oyster shells and pottery. But I found this dice which is very light and is only 5 - 6 mm each side. It appears to be made of bone and is a light brown color. It's also probably handmade and is not completely cubic. The numbers don't add up to 7 they are 3 op 6, 5 op 5 and 4 op 4. So if anyone knows what this dice is, I would be very grateful to know.

Ben

[Tafflaff (Rob)]

If they dont add up to 11, it normally means they are old.........or made by someone that didnt care

[Chef Geoff]

11

[The Doc]

So there is no 1 or 2 on the dice - just a 3, a 6, two 4s and two 5s?

[BugbrookeBen]

That's right doc

[BugbrookeBen]

Anyone know how old it is

[handyman [Alan}]

Not sure Ben, but John Winter may have access to a past article on dice and dice games. One can only ask!

[galoshers]

the queenhithe diggers in the 80s used to find quite a few no doubt lost by sailors back from a long voyage ,never heard of any dating method ..the area by the millenium bridge on north side was dug down to 6 feet with monster holes sieved and checked with compass 77bs and put back. i dug a few myself .

[BugbrookeBen]

I'm not sure but the date looks to be 16th, 17th, 18th century, i'm probably wrong