Excavations in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, located in the Eskipazar district of Karabük, Turkey, have recently revealed objects of historical interest. Among the most notable finds of 2024 are pieces used in the games Ludus Latrunculorum (literally, game of the robbers, likely based on an earlier Greek game called petteia mentioned in The Odyssey) […]
Games
Posted inBronze Age Archaeology
Prehistoric Marbles, Whistles, and Other Vestiges of Childhood Games from Bronze Age, Discovered in the Carpathian Basin
A group of researchers from the Institute of Archaeology in Zagreb has revealed fascinating evidence about how children played during the Late Bronze Age (14th to 9th centuries BCE) in the southern Carpathian Basin. According to a recently published study, the ceramic toys and other objects found in settlements and graves in Croatia, Slovenia, and […]
Posted inBronze Age Archaeology
The Discovery of an Ancient Game Board from Bronze Age Challenges Its Egyptian Origin
A recent archaeological study has revealed that an ancient board of a game, known as the fifty-eight-hole game, and found in 2018 on the Absheron peninsula, located in present-day Azerbaijan, is the oldest one known. This discovery challenges previous theories about the origin and spread of this enigmatic pastime, which was played in various parts […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
A Collection of Medieval Game Pieces from 1,000 Years Ago Unearthed in a German Castle
More than 1,000 years ago, chess made its way from the East to Europe. However, chess pieces from the early days of the game are very rare. Now, in archaeological excavations at a forgotten castle in southern Germany, an excellently preserved knight piece has been discovered. The find is part of a unique collection of […]
Posted inCulture, History
Go, the Oldest Continuously Played Board Game to Date
Born in Berthelsdorf (Saxony, before German unification) in the mid-19th century, Oskar Korschelt had barely reached adulthood when he accepted a position as a chemistry professor at the Tokyo Medical College, later working for the Japanese government and industry. He spent almost a decade in the land of the rising sun, enough time to develop […]
Posted inStone Age Archaeology
More than 20 Mancala Game Boards Carved in Rock Dating Back Thousands of Years Found in Kenya
Researchers from Yale University have made a spectacular archaeological discovery in Kenya that sheds light on the recreational activities of past societies in this region of Africa. Dr. Veronica Waweru, who leads the research project in the central area of Kenya, recently uncovered a series of ancient game boards carved in rock dating back thousands […]
Posted inMiddle Ages
Knattleikr, the Popular but Brutal Viking Ball Game
Historical reenactment is not limited solely to the military world, as it encompasses varied aspects such as culture, festivals, or diverse events. It also includes the recreation of traditional sports, with the most popular cases being in Italy: Florentine Calcio Storico, the Palio of Siena, or the Venetian Vogalonga. The transalpine country is not unique […]
