A team of experts has unearthed a rare collection of medieval gaming pieces at a previously unknown castle complex in Southern Germany’s Reutlingen district. This discovery includes a well-preserved knight chess piece, various gaming pieces, and a six-sided die, all dating back to the 11th or 12th century CE.

Chess piece, game piece and dice from the 11th-12th century, finds from the Burgstein archaeological excavation. Credit: Victor Brigola / Universität Tübingen

Chess, a game that reached Europe from the Orient over a millennium ago, has a storied history. It evolved from the Indian game chaturanga, which was played as early as the 6th or 7th century CE. The game spread to Europe via the Muslim world, primarily through Spain and Italy, around 1000 years ago. Chess was considered one of the skills a noble knight should master during the Middle Ages. This context makes the discovery of such ancient gaming artifacts in a castle setting less surprising, though still extraordinary in its rarity and preservation.

The excavation, conducted by an international team from the University of Tübingen, the State Office for Monument Preservation (LAD) in Baden-Württemberg, and the German Archaeological Insтιтute (DAI), revealed the gaming pieces under the debris of a collapsed wall. The excellent condition of these artifacts is attributed to their protective burial beneath the rubble, which shielded them from environmental degradation over the centuries.

Dr. Jonathan Scheschkewitz from the University of Tübingen’s LAD explained the cultural significance of chess in medieval Europe, noting, “In the Middle Ages, chess was one of the seven skills that a good knight should master. It is therefore not surprising that known finds mostly come from castles.” Dr. Lukas Werther from the German Archaeological Insтιтute said, “The discovery of an entire games collection from the 11th/12th century came as a complete surprise to us, and the horse-shaped knight piece is a real highlight.”

The discovered chess piece, a knight figure measuring four centimeters in height, showcases intricate details such as vividly shaped eyes and mane, indicative of high-quality craftsmanship from that period. In addition to the knight, the collection includes four flower-shaped gaming pieces and a six-sided die, all carved from antler. Laboratory analyses have revealed traces of red paint on some of the pieces, suggesting that one side of the game was colored, a practice that reflects a surprising continuity in the rules and aesthetics of chess over the centuries.

Dr. Flavia Venditti from the University of Tübingen said, “Under the microscope, a typical sheen from holding and moving the pieces can be seen,” highlighting the tactile history these pieces convey. The detailed examination of these gaming pieces is expected to yield valuable information about the origins of European chess and the recreational activities of medieval nobility. This includes understanding the material culture, the artistry involved in creating such pieces, and the rules and strategies of games played during that era.

The finds will be presented to the public for the first time at the upcoming exhibition “THE hidden LÄND,” which will open in Stuttgart on September 13, 2024. Additionally, the special exhibition “Unearthed! Knights and Castles in the Echaz Valley” will debut in Pfullingen on June 15, 2024.