What is the Oldest Board Game in the World?
The history of board games dates back thousands of years, with early civilizations creating games that tested strategy, skill, and luck. But which one is the oldest? According to historians and archaeologists, the title of the oldest board game in the world goes to Senet, an ancient Egyptian game that has been around for at least 4,000 years.
What is Senet?
Senet, which translates to "the game of passing" in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, is a board game of strategy and luck that was played in ancient Egypt from around 3000 BCE to around 100 CE. The game is mentioned in several ancient Egyptian texts, including the Egyptian Book of the Dead, and it’s believed to have been played by both rich and poor, as well as by women and men.
How Was Senet Played?
According to archaeological finds and ancient artwork, Senet was played on a rectangular board with 30 squares, each representing a step on a journey through the afterlife. The game was played with two to three players, who moved their pieces (resembling small figurines of goddesses or gods) along the board, trying to reach the final square, which represented the afterlife.
- The game was played with a set of hieroglyphic cards, which were thrown onto the board to determine the fate of the players’ pieces.
- If a player landed on a square, they would draw a card, which would either move their piece forward or backward.
- The game was won by the first player to reach the final square, which meant they had successfully navigated the dangers of the afterlife and reached the afterlife realm.
Why is Senet Considered the Oldest Board Game in the World?
Several factors make Senet the oldest board game in the world, according to historians and archaeologists:
Dated Evidence: The earliest evidence of Senet dates back to around 3000 BCE, making it at least 4,000 years old. This predates other ancient board games like Backgammon and Chess.
Continuous Play: Senet was played continuously for over 2,000 years, with evidence of play dating back to the Old Kingdom period (2613 BCE-2181 BCE) and continuing throughout the Middle Kingdom period (2040 BCE-1650 BCE) and the New Kingdom period (1550 BCE-1069 BCE).
Widespread Practice: Senet was played throughout ancient Egypt, with evidence of boards found in tombs, temples, and even in the homes of everyday people.
Other Contenders for the Oldest Board Game in the World
While Senet is considered the oldest board game in the world, other ancient games are also contenders for the title:
- Mehen, another ancient Egyptian game, is mentioned in some sources as being older than Senet.
- Liubo, a ancient Chinese game, has been dated to around 2000 BCE, making it a contender for the oldest board game in Asia.
- Royal Game of Ur, an ancient Sumerian game, has been dated to around 2500 BCE, making it a contender for the oldest board game in the Middle East.
However, Senet‘s continuous play and widespread practice make it the oldest board game in the world, with a history dating back at least 4,000 years.
Conclusion
The history of board games is rich and complex, with games dating back thousands of years. While there are other contenders for the oldest board game in the world, Senet’s continuous play and widespread practice make it the oldest board game in the world. Whether you’re a history buff, a gamer, or just curious about ancient civilizations, Senet is a game that’s worth learning about. Who knows, you might just find yourself drawn into the world of ancient Egypt and the game of passing.