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Knuckle-Bone Games from Past to Present

Summary/Abstract: Knuckle-bone (astragalus) is located the ankle part of the hind leg in four-footed mammals. Its six-sided rectangular form and regular shape makes it suitable to hold in hand or to throw as well. Due to these features, knuckle-bone is used as a gaming piece in various games, through time. In many prehistoric sites, knuckle-bones or their replicas are exposed in various contexts. It is hard to claim if they are used as a gaming piece or not. The oldest evidence about knuckle-bone games is from Karkamış (Gaziantep), one of the Late Hittite Period kingdom. In Ancient Greek and Roman periods, knuckle-bone games are mentioned in the literature and illustrated in the visual arts. According to the etnographical and historical data, there are various knuckle-bone games in almost every culture, from Central Asia to the America. In Anatolia, knuckle-bone games are one of the richest, both in terms used in the games and variety. These games can be divided into three main groups: throwing and hitting games in which the bone used as an agate; divination and gambling games in which the bone used as a dice and jackstone games in which the bone used as a jackstone. The transformative effects of the technological changes on the social life, has been also changed children games. Nowadays, knuckle-bone games fall into oblivion or is played only in the rural areas.

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