this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2024
329 points (97.4% liked)

What is this thing?

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Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.

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[–] stratusfear@lemmy.world 327 points 1 year ago (7 children)

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

[–] Stamets@lemmy.world 103 points 1 year ago (6 children)

Amazing. 4 minute answer for something very specific. Truly incredible.

[–] AndOfTheSevenSeas@lemmy.world 39 points 1 year ago

Honestly, given how small lemmy is comparatively, this precision and time frame is awesome. I’m glad I’m here!

[–] Unlocalhost@lemmy.world 26 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Damn, I thought they were dalek's

[–] DemBoSain@midwest.social 20 points 1 year ago

Dalek to Queen's Rook 5. Exterminate.

[–] Stamets@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

Well now I can't unsee that, dammit

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[–] Adalast@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

I had it immediately as well, just clicked to see if my answer was needed. I still have the set in a box somewhere.

[–] WbrJr@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, this new AI is getting better and better!

[–] pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Everyone is a bot except for you

[–] thefartographer@lemm.ee 7 points 1 year ago

I am not a bot, I am hooman just like you. I also do not consume oil or require batteries inserted in my anus, just like all of us normal hoomans.

[–] Annoyed_Crabby@monyet.cc 8 points 1 year ago

Sign of Lemmy gaining traction.

[–] Mango@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

It's not that specific. I had the same set in granite. It's a super common set.

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 16 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

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 1 year 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 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] SuckMyWang@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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 1 year ago
[–] CuddlyCassowary@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

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

[–] fidodo@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Someone with anger issues just have lost their game

[–] ICastFist@programming.dev 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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 1 year ago (2 children)

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

[–] treadful@lemmy.zip 6 points 1 year ago (3 children)

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

[–] creditCrazy@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year 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 3 points 1 year 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.

[–] uriel238@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 year ago

Wait until they find the travel Scrabble pieces!

[–] NegativeInf@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

I keep a Royal Game of Ur on my desk. Lol.

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[–] Toneswirly@lemmy.world 60 points 1 year ago (3 children)

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

[–] nexussapphire@lemm.ee 15 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)
[–] kalpol@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] quaddo@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

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

[–] GladiusB@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Yea. That was my first reaction too.

[–] creditCrazy@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

I was thinking ancient dalic chess peices

[–] 8bittech@lemmy.world 56 points 1 year ago (3 children)

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 11 points 1 year ago

OP, we need some GPS coordinates over here.

[–] ikidd@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

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

[–] Smokeydope@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Ask op to collect them and send it to you :)

[–] Agent641@lemmy.world 50 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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 3 points 1 year ago
[–] Flumpkin@slrpnk.net 22 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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 1 points 1 year ago (3 children)

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

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[–] lostarc@programming.dev 17 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

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 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] lostarc@programming.dev 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Quite possibly, he’s a man of mystery

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[–] dutchkimble@lemy.lol 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's remains of an ancient fort, for ants

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[–] Asidonhopo@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Windom Earle has been here

[–] MyDogLovesMe@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I guess I just miss my friend…

[–] Agent641@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

How can you be so obtuse?!

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