Lewis Chess Set

Perhaps the most famous European chess pieces from the Middle Ages were found by pure chance under still unexplained circumstances. It is only known that they were discovered off the coast of the Isle of Lewis, west of Scotland, in 1831. Having changed hands multiple times, most of these pieces are now in the British Museum. Nearly three complete chess sets (along with individual pieces) have survived to this day, giving us insight into the 12th-century chess culture, when mastering the game was essential for every knight, and showcasing the advanced techniques used in chess-making.