Pucks

Palet

Pucks

Pucks are a game variety characterized by the use of stones or discs of metal and other materials in order to hit or to get as close as possible to a target placed at a given distance.

It is worth noting how all these games made use of flat stones, replaced only at a later time with discs of various metals or plastic.

The variety which makes use of stones however, is still widespread in much of the Italian territory, and often coexists with modern equipment.

This game variety has many similarities with bowls. Especially in variations of the game in which one has to get as close as possible to a target, this  is often a kind of jack, called "dot", "balin", or "bolin", etc.


Historical Background

The oldest traces of a recreational activity that used flat stones were found in the Alps and date back to pre-Christian years. Even in these types of games the aim was not so much to hit a target ,but to get as close as possible to it.

Games with stones, however, are more ancient than these findings. A Neolithic site of Catal Huyuk in Turke shows that 7000 years before Christ stone spheres were already used to play a game very similar to bowling.

These findings show that plates, making use of flat stones, are forerunners to boules, which are instead spherical. Both varieties have survived since they responded to different needs.

Boules in fact, even if they have the advantage of rolling , and to allow a more controlled launch , could be used only on flat ground. Plates, on the other hand, could also be used  on irregular ground, and even on grass.

This feature allowed plates to become a popular pastime among Roman troops, who spread this game throughout the Empire.
 

Game Comunities


Zachegn, Pieve Cesato Faenza (Ravenna), Emilia Romagna

Lavre, Trieste (Trieste), Friuli Venezia Giulia

Pljocke, Montemitro (Campobasso), Molise

Palet, Saint Denis (Aosta), Valle d'Aosta