[Fzob]

Professor Richard Hodges said: "We are wondering if it is the king or queen because it has a little cross but we are not sure."

The cross did becomes a symbol of Christianity until well into the third century. It is possible this is just an icon rather than a chess piece? It seems like a short time to go from a holy symbol to an ornament on a chess piece.

But I don't know much about the history of chess so maybe I'm clueless.

[RightWhale]

The cross did becomes a symbol of Christianity until well into the third century.

It, including the crucifix, was already a symbol in pre-Christian religions around the Mediterranean.

[Fzob]

did becomes = did not become