I find the theory that it is a game especially intriguing. In ancient times, games were used as divination methods, a way to know the will of the gods [1]. The game theory explains many things, such as the uniqueness of the symbols and the spiral pattern.
Board games, like language, music, and religion, have been created in every culture [2] [3], but physical evidence is very scarce. Written evidence is even more lacking. There are games we know of, but know very little of how they were played or used (e.g.: Senet) [4]. Could the Phaistos disc be a rare piece of physical evidence?
An entire book has been written about the Phaistos disk as board game [5]. I can't speak to the specific theories/guesses made in the book, but the notion that the disc is a game seems very plausible to this casual observer.
Board games, like language, music, and religion, have been created in every culture [2] [3], but physical evidence is very scarce. Written evidence is even more lacking. There are games we know of, but know very little of how they were played or used (e.g.: Senet) [4]. Could the Phaistos disc be a rare piece of physical evidence?
An entire book has been written about the Phaistos disk as board game [5]. I can't speak to the specific theories/guesses made in the book, but the notion that the disc is a game seems very plausible to this casual observer.
[1] https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Games-Gods-Ancient-Systems/dp/...
[2] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2688609-ancient-board-ga...
[3] https://www.amazon.com/Board-Table-Games-Many-Civilizations/...
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senet#Gameplay
[5] http://phaistosgame.com/