More than three thousand years ago, people in the Ancient World - in Egypt and Sumer - played a number of games. Later, in Greece, Rome, India, and China evidence of the playing of similar games was found. In some instances only archeological evidence such as tomb paintings, papyrus scrolls, or game equipment found in a tomb, or similar games that are still played in these places are evidence of this fact.
A thousand years later in burial mounds in Ireland, or on sunken Viking ships, or carved into monastic pews in England - evidence of additional games are found. Many of these games and derivatives of these games are played today.
The Museum collection includes reproductions and archival information about some of these games played so long ago, and this section of the Website offers viewers information about these holdings. Click on a picture below to find out about these games.
| Egyptian Senet | Sumerian Game |
Knossos Game |
Egyptian Dogs & Jackals |
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| Viking Games | Danish Hnefatafl Game | Greek & Roman Games | Indian Parcheesi |
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Last update July 5, 2007