this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2024
369 points (97.7% liked)

What is this thing?

5564 readers
1 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 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 
top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] stratusfear@lemmy.world 351 points 9 months ago (8 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

[–] Stamets@lemmy.world 116 points 9 months ago (6 children)

Amazing. 4 minute answer for something very specific. Truly incredible.

[–] AndOfTheSevenSeas@lemmy.world 44 points 9 months ago

Honestly, given how small lemmy is comparatively, this precision and time frame is awesome. I’m glad I’m here!

[–] Unlocalhost@lemmy.world 29 points 9 months ago (5 children)

Damn, I thought they were dalek's

[–] DemBoSain@midwest.social 23 points 9 months ago

Dalek to Queen's Rook 5. Exterminate.

[–] Stamets@lemmy.world 14 points 9 months ago

Well now I can't unsee that, dammit

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] Annoyed_Crabby@monyet.cc 11 points 9 months ago

Sign of Lemmy gaining traction.

[–] Adalast@lemmy.world 10 points 9 months ago

I had it immediately as well, just clicked to see if my answer was needed. I still have the set in a box somewhere.

[–] WbrJr@lemmy.ml 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, this new AI is getting better and better!

[–] pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 15 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Everyone is a bot except for you

[–] thefartographer@lemm.ee 8 points 9 months ago

I am not a bot, I am hooman just like you. I also do not consume oil or require batteries inserted in my anus, just like all of us normal hoomans.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 16 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months 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 5 points 9 months 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 11 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Now the question remains… what are they doing in a parking lot. And only some of them.

[–] SuckMyWang@lemmy.world 14 points 9 months 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

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works 6 points 9 months ago

Chess 2.0 won't need them. OP missed it's inventor by mere minutes.

[–] CuddlyCassowary@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months 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 3 points 9 months ago (2 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 9 months 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 7 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Usually context is necessary for archeology. Finding these next to a parking lot wouldn't be very helpful.

[–] creditCrazy@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months 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 4 points 9 months 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)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Something something "fertility ritual", most likely.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (3 replies)
[–] Toneswirly@lemmy.world 68 points 9 months ago (3 children)

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

[–] nexussapphire@lemm.ee 17 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)
[–] kalpol@lemmy.world 11 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I had it as a kid. Mexican souvenir set of onyx.

[–] quaddo@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Same. Parents brought a set back with them for me. Black and white.

[–] creditCrazy@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

I was thinking ancient dalic chess peices

[–] GladiusB@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Yea. That was my first reaction too.

[–] 8bittech@lemmy.world 64 points 9 months 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 14 points 9 months ago

OP, we need some GPS coordinates over here.

[–] ikidd@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months 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 9 months ago

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

[–] Agent641@lemmy.world 54 points 9 months 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 4 points 9 months ago
[–] Flumpkin@slrpnk.net 27 points 9 months 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 20 points 9 months ago (2 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

[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 14 points 9 months ago

Microstone is everywhere. Soon most of the planet’s beaches will be covered with teeny tiny rocks.

[–] UNWILLING_PARTICIPANT@sh.itjust.works 10 points 9 months ago (2 children)

And now we've got microstone pollution everywhere 😔 such a shame

[–] Alexstarfire@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

New description for sand has been unlocked.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 9 months ago (2 children)

microstone pollution

A.k.a. sand? It's terrible stuff. It's coarse and irritating, and it gets everywhere...

[–] walden@sub.wetshaving.social 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

The ocean is full of it and our beaches are awash with the stuff.

load more comments (1 replies)

Probably not crossing the blood-brain barrier or placenta, I'll give it that. But yes it can get itchy

[–] lostarc@programming.dev 19 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months 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 9 months ago (2 children)

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

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] dutchkimble@lemy.lol 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

It's remains of an ancient fort, for ants

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] Asidonhopo@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

Windom Earle has been here

[–] MyDogLovesMe@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I guess I just miss my friend…

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments
view more: next ›