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[-] stratusfear@lemmy.world 356 points 2 years ago

Those are pieces of an onyx chess set. I used to have that exact set. Here's an example from ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/276268677793?itmmeta=01HQGDMT5HNWBF8YNWTDN1Q1D5

[-] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Beat me to it, I had/have a similar set my parents got me on a work trip back in the 90s

[-] PhreakyByNature@feddit.uk 5 points 2 years ago

I assumed they were chess pieces. Don't have this set, never seen it before, but glad my instincts were right.

[-] moistclump@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago

Now the question remains… what are they doing in a parking lot. And only some of them.

[-] SuckMyWang@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago

Someone probably just bought the chess set at the last minute for a very important tournament but dropped a few pieces as they hurriedly put it in their car

[-] ElCanut@jlai.lu 2 points 2 years ago
[-] andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 years ago

Chess 2.0 won't need them. OP missed it's inventor by mere minutes.

[-] CuddlyCassowary@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

Same. I think I got it on a spring break in Mexico. I vaguely remember quite a few people having them.

[-] ICastFist@programming.dev 3 points 2 years ago

I wonder what would be future historians' guess as to what those are/were, 2000+ years in a future where a "great loss of knowledge" happened.

[-] uriel238@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 2 years ago

We've worked out ancient gaming pieces, and sometimes been able to figure out rules for long dead games.

[-] treadful@lemmy.zip 7 points 2 years ago

Usually context is necessary for archeology. Finding these next to a parking lot wouldn't be very helpful.

[-] creditCrazy@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago

We've worked out everything about this ancient game however we are still figuring out how playing around cars played a role in the game

[-] JustZ@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

I feel like whenever archaeology finds something new they're like "this was a massive arena for entertainment, people traveled from possibly thousands of miles away to watch two people play the game in the parking arena."

Like the get it very wrong at first but then figure out more.

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Something something "fertility ritual", most likely.

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[-] Toneswirly@lemmy.world 68 points 2 years ago

Thought they were chess pieces and was pleasantly surprised to see someone confirmed it

[-] nexussapphire@lemm.ee 17 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)
[-] kalpol@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago

I had it as a kid. Mexican souvenir set of onyx.

[-] quaddo@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Same. Parents brought a set back with them for me. Black and white.

[-] GladiusB@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Yea. That was my first reaction too.

[-] creditCrazy@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

I was thinking ancient dalic chess peices

[-] 8bittech@lemmy.world 64 points 2 years ago

They are chess pieces, and this image pains me. I have this set and am missing the pawn in the center of the picture.

[-] everett@lemmy.ml 14 points 2 years ago

OP, we need some GPS coordinates over here.

[-] ikidd@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

I'd get some soapstone and carve one, they look pretty rudimentary. Even a bumblefuck like me could manage it.

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[-] Agent641@lemmy.world 54 points 2 years ago

I spilled chess pieces all over myself while in the parking lot getting in my car & a black teenager shouted "This brother playin' chess!" And everybody laughed.

[-] TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz 4 points 2 years ago
[-] Flumpkin@slrpnk.net 27 points 2 years ago

Chess pieces made out of stone. Stone is not recyclable or biodegradable or compostable. If you throw them in the landfill they will be there for millions of years. This is a pretty minor spill though.

[-] Asafum@feddit.nl 20 points 2 years ago

It's really disgusting how people just toss their old used stones out into the wilderness like they're just rocks or something... Smh damn litterbugs

[-] intensely_human@lemm.ee 14 points 2 years ago

Microstone is everywhere. Soon most of the planet’s beaches will be covered with teeny tiny rocks.

And now we've got microstone pollution everywhere 😔 such a shame

[-] Alexstarfire@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

New description for sand has been unlocked.

microstone pollution

A.k.a. sand? It's terrible stuff. It's coarse and irritating, and it gets everywhere...

[-] walden@sub.wetshaving.social 5 points 2 years ago

The ocean is full of it and our beaches are awash with the stuff.

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Probably not crossing the blood-brain barrier or placenta, I'll give it that. But yes it can get itchy

[-] lostarc@programming.dev 19 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I have this exact same chess set made out of stone. My father brought it back to the U.S. after visiting Guatemala where He and my Mother adopted my sister.

[-] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago

Did he find it in an old temple in the jungle?

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[-] Asidonhopo@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago

Windom Earle has been here

[-] dutchkimble@lemy.lol 6 points 2 years ago

It's remains of an ancient fort, for ants

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[-] MyDogLovesMe@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

I guess I just miss my friend…

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this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2024
370 points (97.7% liked)

What is this thing?

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