Duodecim Scripta - The Holt Board

Please click on the images above for an expanded view.

A copy of the three-row board from Holt in North Wales, now in the National Museum of Wales. Probably used for playing early backgammon-type games such as Duodecim Scripta. It dates to the second half of the second century and the original is made of fired clay. Our version is of quarter-sawn oak, and is supplied with bone counters and ring-and-dot style bone dice in a leather pouch.

Many different styles of board of this type, with two or three rows, are known from the Roman world, some very simple and roughly carved into pavements, while others are more elaborate and decorated. Some, in the place of the six rows each of six points had comic or pithy phrases, each of six words of six letters. Several games were probably played on the boards, and suggestions for such games are provided.

• Oak 3-row board, 18" x 18"
• Bone counters, 15 each of natural and red
• Three ring-and-dot bone dice
• Pieces supplied in a leather pouch

Historic Period or Date:

• Roman

Materials and Special Features:

• Quarter-sawn oak board, with border
• Bone counters
• Bone ring-and-dot dice
• Playing pieces in a leather drawstring pouch

Dimensions:

• Board: 18" x 18" x 1.25"
• Counters: 7/8" diameter
• Bone dice: c. 1cm square