Astragalus is a typical find for professional archaeologists. It should be noted that during excavations, these objects are found everywhere: among different peoples, over a vast territory, in settlements and in burials. Astragalus, most often, means the talus of various animals. Much less often they are called "alchiks", "ankles", "bones" or "grandmas". The term "astragalus" itself comes from the Greek astragalos, which meant the epiphytic bone of a large horned animal.
The finds of astragalus are known to archaeologists from many monuments, starting from the Eneolithic era. However, the meaning and purpose of this thing often causes some controversy among specialists. So, for example, some believe that astragals were used only as dice, others consider them to be the subject of ritual and magical cults. Well, some modern researchers agree that astragals were used by ancient people both as dice and as an element of cult rites.
Astragalus as a magical thing
The talus itself has a characteristic cubic shape. Perhaps this fact prompted the ancients to think that this was not a simple accident. According to their ideas, with the help of this bone it was possible to communicate with the gods and learn their will. It is also curious that on some astragals, which were found by archaeologists, you can find carved symbols or drawings. Now it is impossible to say for sure what they meant, but many experts claim that the owners of the magic bones themselves put their name on them. All this may indicate that astragalus was of great importance for their owner and performed various functions, including allowing them to know their fate.
It is not known for certain when the bones of animals began to be used for the game, but, apparently, this happened after they lost their sacred and magical meaning. It is possible that the ancient astragals, which so often appear at archaeological sites, are the prototypes of the modern dice game.
Astragalus as a dice
Promotional video:
The oldest dice were found in Iran. Their approximate age is more than 5 thousand years. For a long time, the game of dice remained a favorite pastime of the inhabitants of the countries of the East and West. For example, the ancient Greeks and Romans, and later the Byzantines and Arabs, loved them very much. Before the onset of the Christian era, various fortune-telling and magical rites were not something illegal. They were used as a way of entertainment, including with the help of dice. However, with the advent of Christianity, such pagan remnants began to be eradicated.
After the split of the church in the XI century. Astragalus are again beginning to be used as an element of magical rites. And today, with the help of dice, you can lift the veil of the future.
Modern fortune-telling is quite simple. Questions should be formulated in such a way that they can be answered "yes" or "no". Divination usually uses from one to three bones. Fortune-telling is carried out, as a rule, for a certain period - a day, a week or a month. Includes divination on the bones in several simple steps:
1) ask a specific question;
2) then put the bones in a special cup;
3) shake it a few times and then throw the bones on the table.
The dropped out number will serve as the answer to the question asked. An even number will mean "yes", and a dishonest number will mean "no".
Thus, Astragalus is a very interesting thing. Ancient people viewed it as a magical item. At the same time, Astragalus served as the forerunners for the modern dice game.