Hnefatafl gaming piece

Photo: North Lincolnshire Museum CC By SA2.0
Object type: Gaming piece
Period: Anglo-Saxon
Primary material: Lead
Date found: 01/09/2021
Location: Bainton, East Yorkshire

Description

This pieces has been dated to 850 – 950 and is believed to be gaming piece used on a Viking board game. Tafl is old Norse for “table” or “board” and referred to the checkered or latticed gameboard. Hnefa is the name of the king-piece.