Egypt, Thebes, Luxor, Valley of Queens, Tomb of Nefertari, detail of antechamber frescoes, Queen Nefertari playing Senet
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The Oldest Known Board Game
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The ancient Egyptian game of Senet, dating back to around 3500 BCE, holds the distinction of being the oldest known board game in the world. Discovered in Predynastic and First Dynasty burials, Senet's enduring legacy is closely followed by the Royal Game of Ur from ancient Mesopotamia, originating around 2600 BCE.

Senet: Ancient Egyptian Game

Senet
Ancient Egyptian board game
Definition
A board game from ancient Egypt involving ten or more pawns on a 30-square board.
Earliest Representation
Circa 2620 BCE from the Mastaba of Hesy-Re.
Consistency
Very little variation in the game's key components over a 2,000-year history in Egypt.
otagomuseum.nz
otagomuseum.nz
Played on a rectangular board with 30 squares arranged in three rows of ten, Senet was a favorite pastime of ancient Egyptian royalty, including Pharaoh Tutankhamun and Queen Nefertari
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The game's popularity spanned over 3,000 years of Egyptian history, with boards found in various materials such as wood, limestone, and faience
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Although the exact rules have been lost to time, modern reconstructions based on historical texts allow enthusiasts to experience this ancient game. Senet's enduring legacy is evident in its representation in Egyptian art and its inclusion in burial chambers, suggesting its significance extended beyond mere entertainment to religious and symbolic realms
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Royal Game of Ur Origins

Royal Game of Ur
Ancient two-player strategy board game
Origin
First played in ancient Mesopotamia during the early third millennium BC
Popularity
Popular across the Middle East and as far as Crete and Sri Lanka
Rediscovery
Rediscovered by Leonard Woolley in the 1920s and '30s at the Royal Cemetery at Ur
britishmuseum.org
britishmuseum.org
Originating in ancient Mesopotamia around 2600 BCE, the Royal Game of Ur stands as one of the world's oldest known board games. Its rules were deciphered from a cuneiform tablet by British Museum curator Irving Finkel, allowing modern players to experience this ancient pastime
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The game features a distinctive board with 20 squares and is played as a race between two players, using dice-like objects to determine moves. Archaeological evidence suggests the game's popularity extended beyond Mesopotamia, with boards found in locations such as Iran and Sri Lanka
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Cultural Significance of Ancient Games

British Museum, London, UK
Culture Club
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Ancient board games like Senet and the Royal Game of Ur held significant cultural importance beyond mere entertainment. These games were often imbued with religious and symbolic meanings, reflecting the beliefs and values of their respective civilizations. In ancient Egypt, Senet was believed to represent the journey of the soul through the afterlife, with game pieces symbolizing the player's spiritual progression
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Similarly, the Royal Game of Ur was associated with divination and fortune-telling in Mesopotamian culture
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The presence of these games in royal tombs and their depiction in art further emphasizes their elevated status in society, serving as both a pastime for the elite and a connection to the divine realm.
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Reconstructing Ancient Game Rules

Reconstructing the rules of ancient board games presents a significant challenge for historians and archaeologists. For Senet, Timothy Kendall and R.C. Bell have developed widely adopted rule sets based on fragmentary textual evidence and depictions of gameplay
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These reconstructions allow modern enthusiasts to experience a version of the game, though the exact historical rules remain uncertain. Similarly, the Royal Game of Ur's rules were deciphered from a Babylonian cuneiform tablet dating to 177 BC, providing insights into its gameplay
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This process of rule reconstruction not only enables modern play but also offers valuable insights into the strategic thinking and cultural values of ancient civilizations.
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Related
What are the most challenging aspects of reconstructing ancient game rules
How do historians determine the original rules of ancient games
What tools or methods are used to decipher ancient game rules
Are there any modern games that have been directly influenced by ancient games
How do the rules of the Royal Game of Ur compare to those of Senet
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