Abstract
In 2014, a bone tessera was found during the excavations conducted by the Phanagorian Mission of the Institute of Archaeology, RAS, at Phanagoria (the site of “Lower City”). It bears Greek and Latin numerals XV and IE situated on its reverse side and the relief depiction of a left hand with fi ngers combination, occupying its obverse. This tessera is of a type of playing draughts, which is called Le comput digital, bearing combinations of fi ngers of a left hand marking out numbers from 1 to 15, situated on the obverse and corresponding to the numerals on its reverse.
This tessera is a fi rst draught of Le comput digital type found in the North Pontic Region. It combines some unique features. Firstly, it is the fi rst known tessera combining both Greek and Roman graffi ti, while all the previously found specimens had only Roman graffi to situated at the reverse. Secondly, the only tessera of Le comput digital type was previously found, showing a sign XV. It differs from all other tesserae because it bears a bust of a man with his hand showing number fi fteen instead of just common hand. The Phanagorian tessera is the fi rst specimen showing a palm with combination of fi ngers marking out the number 15.
Keywords
Bosporan Kingdom, North Pontic Region, Roman Empire, Phanagoria, tessera
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