The Dice of the Srubnaya-Andronovo World: the Issue of the Symbol Interpretation Revisited

The paper proposes and substantiates a new interpretation of symbols on the dice of the Srubnaya-Andronovo world. The author comes to the conclusion that a sidelong cross on the dice denoted number «3», four and more strokes represented number «4». Number «4» was associated with winning and positive outcome in fortunetelling and divination. To increase odds of success, more than four strokes were placed on the fourth facet; however, these stokes still denoted number «4». The fact that one stroke denoted «1» and two strokes represented «2», as has been earlier suggested by other researchers, does not cause any doubts. Apparently, symbols for «3» and «4» still maintained rather strong links with the image of the world (the vertical and horizontal model) whereas the game itself was linked to a sacral world and rituals.