Gallo-Roman dice found near building

Archaeologists in the Vosges region of France have uncovered more than a thousand Gallo-Roman bone dice near a small building, but their exact purpose remains unknown. The dice, carved from animal bones and marked with small circular patterns called ocelles, were found clustered around the structure, raising questions about their function.

Building’s layout and features

The excavation, which started in 2022, revealed a building measuring about 4.5 meters by 3.8 meters, bordered by an east-west road and opening to the east. Its walls had a red paint layer above a yellow base, suggesting some level of decoration or significance.

Dice’s design and placement

The dice were found in the building’s foundations, indicating a strong connection between the objects and the structure. They were marked with a numbering system known as "of seven," where opposite faces add up to seven, a design also seen in modern dice. Some dice had depressions filled with a mix of wax and charcoal to make the markings more visible.

Site’s water and infrastructure

To the north of the building, archaeologists uncovered a narrow water conduit with iron necklaces that may have connected wooden pipes. A rectangular pit at the end of the conduit likely held a wooden basin, suggesting the site had access to water and possibly served a more complex function than a typical home.

Ancient Grand’s scale and significance

Ancient Grand, the Roman city where the site is located, was a large settlement covering more than 70 hectares. It included an amphitheater over 148 meters long, capable of seating more than 17,000 people, and was centered around a sanctuary for Apollo Grannus, a healing god. Previous excavations have uncovered evidence of thermal baths and other public structures.

Possible functions of the building

Archaeologists are considering several possibilities for the building’s use, including a workshop, gaming room, or ritual space. The presence of water, painted decoration, coins, and dice suggests it may have been used for divination or religious practices, reflecting the dual role of dice in Roman society for both entertainment and spiritual purposes.