Centuries of secrets lie hidden beneath our feet at Burgstein. Here at Burgstein, archaeologists unearthed medieval gaming pieces. These aren’t just any game pieces, but relics from the 11th and 12th centuries.
Imagine a knight of old. He is relaxing between battles, strategizing not only on the battlefield but also on a game board. Chess was one of the seven skills a good knight should master. That is according to Dr. Jonathan Scheschkewitz. These finds mostly come from castles.
The most significant find was a chess knight carved from antler. It is only four centimeters high. Its eyes and mane are vividly shaped. This elaborate design marks it as a particularly high-quality piece.
Also found were four flower-shaped tokens and a six-sided die. These pieces, like the knight, are made from antler. Traces of red paint were found on some tokens. Scientists are analyzing the paint.
Dr. Michael Kienzle explains that these pieces were lost or hidden in the Middle Ages. They lay under debris from a collapsed wall. This covering helped preserve the artifacts.
Dr. Flavia Venditti observed a sheen under the microscope. She explains that this sheen came from handling the pieces. The wear pattern on the knight shows it was moved like today. This indicates that the rules of chess have been consistent for a thousand years.
The history of chess goes back even further. Its predecessor, chaturanga, appeared in India in the 6th or 7th century AD. It spread to Persia and then to Europe about 1,000 years ago.
The discovery of this complete game collection surprised Dr. Lukas Werther. The horse-shaped knight piece is a real highlight. Such well-preserved gaming pieces from before the 13th century are rare.
These pieces offer insights into medieval gaming habits. They tell us about the significance of games. They also reveal the origins of chess in Europe. These artifacts provide a tangible connection to the past here at Burgstein.
The artifacts were displayed at special exhibitions. These were in Pfullingen and Stuttgart in 2024. The knight, die, and one token are 3D scanned. You can view them online.
As you stand here at Burgstein, remember the knights and nobles who once played here. These medieval gaming pieces connect us to their lives. They offer a glimpse into their strategic minds. The game pieces were lost or hidden, but their stories are not forgotten. They remain etched in time.