Dice

Game and ritual were closely connected. These dice from the age of Redbad were made of sheep bone.

What exactly they were used for, we don't know for sure. One thing is clear: the circle and dot decorations are a much recurring motif, not just on dice. It is therefore likely dice were not just used to play games, but also during formal rituals to contact the gods.

According to the Vita Willibrordi, Redbad had fate decide who he condemned to death. 'Casting lots', such as with inscribed sticks, was an official legal and religious procedure with which one could identify a culprit. Possibly other objects were used for this as well, such as dice, or knucklebones.