Roman soldiers’ 2,000-year-old bone dice unearthed

By Nathan Pynn

A tiny bone dice which Roman soldiers likely gambled with 2,000 years ago has been unearthed near Hadrian's Wall.

The rare find was dug up at Magna Roman Fort, in Northumberland, and is the first dice - or die - of its kind to be uncovered at the site.

Experts say the 1cm-wide die reveals how Roman soldiers and residents spent their downtime centuries ago.

Excavator Sue Mingay, who made the discovery last Wednesday (July 22), said: "When I saw it, and the shape of it, I hoped it would be a die.

"When I looked more closely, I was over the moon to see how delicate the markings were."

The bone gaming dice was found beside the furnaces of the praetorium bathhouse which was part of the commander's quarters.

Sonya Galloway, of The Vindolanda Trust, said the find creates an instant link with the people who once lived at the fort.

She said: "Holding something so familiar, yet so ancient, really brings that human story of Magna to life.

"It's easy to see why this little bone die has captured so many people's imaginations.

"It is a wonderfully relatable object - almost everyone will have rolled a die while playing a game, so there's an immediate connection to the people who lived at Magna nearly 2,000 years ago.

"Now we need to find the game board!"

The discovery forms part of the Magna Excavations, a five-year project backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Archaeologists have previously uncovered fourth-century paving stones, remains of a Hadrianic hypocaust system – an ancient form of underfloor heating – as well as a copper alloy Roman belt buckle and spearhead.

Other recent finds include bone gaming counters, a worked antler with evidence of a die cut from it, and a cow scapula from the 2025 excavations, with signs of gaming counters carved from it.