A Dice Game board from 5th century BC found in western Turkey's Daskyleion

[Judi Lynn]

Archaeologists found a terracotta dice game tabla dating back to the fifth century B.C. during the excavations of the ancient city of Daskyleion in the Bandırma district of western Balıkesir province.

Daskyleion, located on the shores of Lake Manyas, contains relics of many Anatolian civilizations. The renowned Lydian King Daskylos arrived in the city from Sardis, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, in the seventh century B.C. The reason for his moving was dynastic quarrels.

Daskylos’s son Gyges was born in Daskyleion, and he was later recalled to Lydia. After he became the king of Lydia, the city was named Daskyleion – the place of Daskylos – around 650 B.C.

Due to the natural beauty and the strong geopolitical position of the region, Daskyleion was established to the south of Lake Manyas (Paradeisos). Daskyleion was carefully reconstructed by the Phrygians, Lydias, Achaemenids, Macedonians, and even Byzantines as a strong fortress, and its economy was kept at a high level.

More:
https://arkeonews.net/a-dice-game-board-from-5th-century-bc-found-in-western-turkeys-daskyleion/


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Translated from Turkish source:

2,500-year-old "Bagabazos' dice game" found in Daskyleion



A 2,500-year-old "dice game tray" was found in Daskyleion

- It was determined that "Bagabazos's dice game" was written on a plate in the ruins located in Hisartepe, in Bandırma district, in Hisartepe

- Head of the Excavation Team, Prof. Dr. Kaan İren:

- "Bagabazos is a Persian person. His name is pronounced as Megabazos in ancient Greek sources. Such archaeological data about this game board from the 5th century BC was discovered for the first time in Anatolia in Daskyleion" Daskyleion in Bandırma district of Balıkesir A dice game board dating from 2,500 years ago was found during the ongoing archaeological excavation at the Ruins .

Excavation Team Head and Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Archeology Department Lecturer Prof. Dr. Kaan İren told reporters that a team of 20 people was assigned to the ruins of Daskyleion, where they have been working together with the Department of Archeology of Istanbul University since 2015.

An article in the work they found, Dr. Stating that it was examined by Rostyslav Oreshko, İren said, "Dr. Oreshko made an important discovery for Anatolian history. The piece found shows that it is a dice game board and it says 'Bagabazos' dice game' or 'Bagabazos dice player'. The inscription is the Phrygian alphabet. Bagabazos is a Persian person. His name is pronounced as Megabazos in ancient Greek sources. Such archaeological data about this game board from the 5th century BC were discovered in Daskyleion for the first time in Anatolia." he said.

Stating that they determined that the Phrygian structure they reached this year was the city entrance wall and tower belonging to the 8th century BC, İren said that the 4-5 meter high wall and the 8 meter thick tower will add visuality to Daskyleion.

"Our research in the kitchen showed us that the Lydians consumed dogs"
Prof. Dr. İren gave the following information about the Lydian cuisine they found in Daskyleion:
"We started the studies on Lydian cuisine in 2022. In these excavations, which we started regarding the Lydians' eating and drinking tradition, we found animal bones, seeds and kitchen utensils in 2022. Meanwhile, we also came across two cat and mouse bones. We found dog bones during our excavations in 2023. Our research in the kitchen showed us that Lydians consumed dogs. We continue these excavations meticulously. Again, we found legumes, lentils, chickpeas, vetch, wheat and barley. Again, the ore plant they used in the dyeing industry is among our finds."

Stating that they will also work to uncover the Lydians and Anatolian cuisine through experimental archeology, İren added that the Daskyleion excavations were supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality and Bandırma Municipality, as well as the Friends of Daskyleion Association and Ayhan Sezer Oil Factory.

https://www-gercekbandirma-com.translate.goog/daskyleionda-2-bin-500-yillik-bagabazosun-zar-oyunu-bulundu?_x_tr_sl=tr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

05-09-2023/ BALIKESİR (AA) - Ahmet Pesen