The reason archaeologists have suggested that the found bones were used for other purposes is that they were found out of proportion.
As part of a recent study in the ancient city of Maresha in central Israel, archaeologists found more than 600 astragalus. These are the femurs of animals, according to Haaretz.
Experts suggest that some of them were used to communicate with the gods and oracles, while others were used for games.
The bones and ankles of sheep and goats were popular throughout the Levant. They were found in artificial caves carved into the rock of the lower city.
“The profession, or art, of knuckle-telling is called astragalomancy, and at least in historical times, this practice is based on markings on bones, including the names of gods and goddesses and numbers. The underlying of the theory the ancients used these dice were used to connect with otherworldly beings. Moreover, astragalus is still used in games in Australia and the Middle East, but only for games. Apparently, their users gave up hope that the bones of the legs of dead animals could help in divination. In Roman and Hellenistic times, astragalus was widely used in divination, including Maresh. But the more what surprises us is their number, especially those written in the name of gods and goddesses, – concluded the experts.
Recall that under the Mediterranean Sea during underwater archaeological research, a copper coin was found almost two thousand years old.
Archaeologists have excavated the house of the inhabitants of Pompeii
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Source: korrespondent
