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

What is this thing?

7574 readers
2 users here now

Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

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.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 
top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] stratusfear@lemmy.world 327 points 2 years 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

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years 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 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 9 points 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years ago
[–] 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 2 points 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years 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 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 3 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.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] NegativeInf@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

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

[–] fidodo@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

Someone with anger issues just have lost their game

[–] quaddo@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

I also have the exact same set. Black and white.

[–] Toneswirly@lemmy.world 60 points 2 years ago (3 children)

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

[–] nexussapphire@lemm.ee 15 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)
[–] kalpol@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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.

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

I was thinking ancient dalic chess peices

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

Yea. That was my first reaction too.

[–] 8bittech@lemmy.world 56 points 2 years 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 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.

[–] Smokeydope@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

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

[–] Agent641@lemmy.world 50 points 2 years 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 2 years ago
[–] Flumpkin@slrpnk.net 22 points 2 years 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 2 years 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

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] lostarc@programming.dev 17 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years 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 2 years ago (1 children)

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

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

Quite possibly, he’s a man of mystery

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] dutchkimble@lemy.lol 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

It's remains of an ancient fort, for ants

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] Asidonhopo@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago

Windom Earle has been here

[–] MyDogLovesMe@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I guess I just miss my friend…

[–] Agent641@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

How can you be so obtuse?!

[–] outer_spec@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 2 years ago

Thanks for the answers! I went back to the parking lot this morning and brought them home.

load more comments
view more: next ›