The Nature and Function of Astragalus Bones from Archaeological Contexts in the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean

Worked and unworked astragalus bones from a variety of different animals have been excavated throughout the eastern Mediterranean and Near East in several different contexts. This paper examines the nature and function of astragali and their modifications, and concludes that they were most often used as gamepieces, but also served a ritual function in cultic and funerary contexts. The frequent use of astragali in ritual contexts is due to the manner in which animals were skinned, and as a result of cultural diffusion. The frequent occurrence of worked astragali in cultic and funerary contexts allows them to serve as potential indicators of ritual activity in archaeological excavations.