The oldest dice in the world
The answer to this mystery is that it depends on how you define dice.
Knucklebones
Thousands of years ago, humans rolled bones, believing that the way they landed could predict the future. A specific bone from the ankle of animals has four sides and are called knucklebones. These bones began appearing in archaeological excavations 7 000 years old, and were used independently by multiple cultures from that time.
These knucklebones aren’t perfectly geometric, and they weren’t used to gamble or play games as far as we know. But their sides were marked significantly and they were rolled to show people what their next steps in life would be, very similar to how we use dice in RPGs today.
Throwsticks
Not sticks at all! About 5 000 years ago, we began to see another, new kind of dice. It’s geometric and was used to play a boardgame! Throwsticks are flat, two-sided game pieces. The side they landed on would indicate how many squares a player could move forward in the Ancient Egyptian game of Senet.
You can find throwsticks in our Jewel Shape Dice Sets.
Polyhedral dice
These are the dice we know and love today, and the oldest have been found at archaeological sites in Iraq and the south of Asia. Crafted carefully from bone, ivory or terracotta, dice had multiple sharp edges, with a different symbol for each face. These sites are dated to around 500-1 000 years after the invention of Throwsticks.
This is the first time we see the classic D6, notable for its design where opposite sides always add up to seven. As far back as this period, D20s and D4s were also in use.
Take a look at our collection of polyhedral dice.
Ancient dice games
me out from RPGs and try your hand at one of these ancient dice games. Printable boards are available on the public domain, offering a unique glimpse into the cultures that laid the foundation for the games we enjoy today.
The Royal Game of Ur
This is the oldest board game archaeologists have found with its board and rules still fully intact, almost 5 000 years later. Two players roll dice to move their pieces from one side of a board to the other. Many dice games use this format, but what sets Ur apart is that landing on the central squares can tell your fortune.
Recommended: Borrowed Time 7-piece Iconic Dice Set
Senet
A game board and box all in one, Senet is almost as old as the Royal Game of Ur and originates in Egypt. Also similar to Ur, it is a racing game to get your piece to the other side of the board before your opponent. The game was a favorite pastime for figures like Tutankhamun and Queen Nefertari, and it’s depicted by ancient Egyptian art and architecture played by both humans and animals.
Recommended: Cold Iron 7-piece Jewel Shape Dice Set
Sugoroku
Similar to snakes and ladders, Sugoroku is another racing game played by rolling dice. The square you land on will instruct you to move forward or backward. Originating in the 8th century, this game gained massive popularity in the 1600s, especially with families, as commercially woodblock-printed boards became widely available.. Each game is different with a different theme. The movements backwards and forwards represent life’s challenges and opportunities around that theme. You can play towards in-game goals like a higher class status, spiritual enlightenment, ranks of the gods, or even to the position of ‘big boss’ in a band of villains.
Recommended: Reflections 7-piece Iconic Dice Set
The Game of the Goose
We don’t really know where it came from, or why, but we’re glad it’s here! This game gained widespread popularity from the late 1500s to the 1800s; that’s a good run for a board game. Zero skill or strategy is needed to play; it’s all about chance and chaos. Players roll the dice to move along the board in a spiral, following the instructions on the square they land on. These can include anything from taking a drink or paying a fine, to moving back to the beginning. To win, you need to land on square 63 which, inconveniently, isn't the last square on the board.
Recommended: Round Bird 7-piece Iconic Dice Set
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