Researchers Use AI to Identify Roman Gameboard

Researchers led by Walter Crist of Leiden University published a study in Antiquity reporting that an etched limestone slab from a Roman site in Heerlen, Netherlands, is likely an ancient blocking board game. They used Ludii AI to simulate gameplay across roughly 100 candidate rulesets and reproduced wear patterns, supporting a blocking-game hypothesis with asymmetric piece placement. The method enables reconstruction of playable rulesets from archaeological wear.