Roman Board Game Revived with 3D Printing

Archaeologists in northern England recreated an ancient Roman board game, Ludus Latrunculorum, using 3D scanning and printing. Researchers discovered the game board at the Vindolanda Roman fort in 2019, a settlement established in 85 AD and once home to thousands of people. The game, similar to checkers, involves two players attempting to trap their opponent’s pieces.

The recreated game allows the public to play the strategy game for the first time in nearly 2,000 years. Vindolanda is an ongoing archaeological site known for its well-preserved wooden writing tablets, offering a unique window into Roman life.

The project demonstrates how modern technology can bring history to life, enabling interaction with artifacts from the past. Researchers hope to further study the game and its role in Roman society.