Archaeologists Discover Unusual Divination Stone in Ancient City of Kibyra

Archaeologists have uncovered a rare stone monument dating to the 2nd–3rd centuries AD in the ancient city of Kibyra in southwestern Türkiye. The object was used for casting lots and divination.

Made of limestone and standing 1.24 meters high, the monument was discovered in 2024 during excavations in the city’s agora, on the third terrace of the central square. Its surface contains 56 divinatory inscriptions written in Ancient Greek.

People of the time used animal knucklebones to seek answers to questions about health, wealth, trade, and long journeys. Five knucklebones made from sheep, goat, or calf bones were thrown.

Each knucklebone had four sides corresponding to the numbers 1, 3, 4, and 6. After all five were cast together, the resulting numerical combination was matched with one of the 56 responses inscribed on the stone.

Many of the inscriptions were composed in the ancient poetic meter known as hexameter. Some texts predicted recovery from illness and prosperity, while others warned of possible misfortune during travel or failure in trade.