[Bonetools] wrapped astragalus

[Etan Ayalon]

Dear Rozalia,

Thanks for your comment. The interesting point here is, however, that
this is a natural bone astragalus wrapped in a sheet of bronze, not a
metal imitation of one. This probably made it difficult to use as a
gaming piece, as it was not easy to roll. Maybe something ritual (as
usual when we dumb archaeologists don't understand an artifact) or
connected with fortune telling or the like? 

I really hope to visit Macedonia or Northern Greece someday; these
regions interest me from the ethnographic point of view, with all
respect to bones...

Etan

 

________________________________

From: bonetools-bounces at listserv.iif.hu
[mailto:bonetools-bounces at listserv.iif.hu] On Behalf Of rozalia
christidou
Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2007 9:14 AM
To: Mailing list for archaeologists of the research group for the
studyofobject and waste of bone,antler. ivory and horn.
Subject: Re: [Bonetools] wrapped astragalus

 

Dear All,

Although I am unable at this moment to provide bibliographical
references (I can do so after mid-October) I would like to note that

1) In Northern Greece Worked tali appear and imitations made from clay
(Dikili Tash, plain of Drama, eastern Macedonia) appear in the 5th
millennium BC.

2) In the historical times (e.g. Classical, Hellenistic, Roman periods)
there are imitations of astragali from various materials. Moreover, in
the Hellenistic period various objects such as golden wreaths (crowns)
are also made from other materials, clay for example, and coated with
metal sheets. Coating is an... economic solution in various cases. Note
that in this period of extreme wealth for the Macedonian Kingdom and
later, when it declines, people try different ways in order to show use
of objetcs which are valuable or in fashion. The coated talus from FYROM
can be one example of this habit. Whether this indicates, in this
particular case, a more economic way to obtain this object, I cannot
say.

I hope I get some more information when I am back and look at
references.

Etan welcome to these regions. Hope to see you from the other part of
the frontier.

Rozalia Christidou

	----- Original Message ----- 

	From: H10459bar at helka.iif.hu 

	To: bonetools at listserv.iif.hu 

	Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 12:56 AM

	Subject: [Bonetools] wrapped astragalus

	 

	Dear All, 

	 

	The 168 cm long pottery astragalus (possibly a container for
real astragalus bones) from Early Classical Greece was exhibited in the
British Museum. Similar red-figure-painted pieces were made by the
potter named Syriskos (c. a. 470 BC). 

	 

	See: Boardman, J. 1964. Greek Art. London, Thames & Hudson.

	 

	 

	Best wishes, Laszlo

	
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