Ludus Coriovalli: using artificial intelligence-driven simulations to identify rules for an ancient board game

Antiquity 2026 Open access

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Authors: Walter Crist, Éric Piette, Karen Jeneson, Dennis J.N.J. Soemers, Matthew Stephenson, Luk van Goor, Cameron Browne
DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2025.10264
Cited by: 3
References: 15

Abstract

The history of games is obscured by our inability to recognise indicators of play in the archaeological record. Lines incised on a piece of rounded limestone found at the Roman site of Coriovallum in Heerlen, The Netherlands, evoke a board game yet do not reflect the grid of any game known today. Here, the results of use-wear analysis are used to inform artificial intelligence-driven simulations based on permutations of rules from historic Northern European games. Disproportionate wear along specific lines favours the rules of blocking games, potentially extending the time depth and regional use of this game type.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction Artificial Intelligence in Games Historical Religious and Philosophical Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Antiquity
Publisher
Antiquity Publications
Volume
100
Issue
409
Pages
111–126
Publication date
1 February 2026
Language
EN