The types of recreation and leisure of mankind have changed with the development of civilization. Many primitive entertainments faded into oblivion as the world's population, acquiring new skills and knowledge, changed their priorities. However, board games that originated in distant prehistoric times have not lost their relevance. Only the specifics of such games, which are also loved by modern generations, have changed.

The following text describes the evolution of board games. The article focuses the reader's attention on the types and features of the respective entertainments that were popular in different regions of the world.

The Oldest Board Games in the World

Most scholars believe that this type of game was born in Ancient Egypt and the Interfluve. However, they were not originally considered as an interesting pastime.

In ancient Egyptian times, the mission of such leisure was much broader and had a somewhat sacred character. It reflected the Egyptians' beliefs about life in the afterlife.

Among researchers who study the ancient history of board games, it is widely believed that Senet is the world's first such game. Egyptians invented Senet long before the beginning of our era, more than 5 millennia ago. The plot of this game had a pronounced religious connotation. The movements of the figures personified the trials and tribulations that the afterlife prepares for the deceased. In fact, Senet played the role of a kind of bridge connecting the earthly and the divine.

Another type of quite ancient board game called Chaturanga originated in India around the sixth century. This entertainment was a reflection of the social hierarchy in this country. The types of figures corresponded to the classes that existed in Indian society at that time: brahmins, kshatriyas, vaisyas, and shudras. And their movements reflected the dynamics of the government and its subordinate castes.

No one knows for sure how the first board game appeared and cannot name the exact date of its appearance. However, it has been proven that the oldest variant of this type of leisure, widespread among many ancient peoples, is astragalus. Translated from the ancient Greek language, this word means “ramming bone.” This object was an attribute of a dice game.

Interesting Facts

Archaeological excavations prove that the materials used to make equipment for the first dice games were wood, seeds, fruit seeds, fruit shells, and elements of animal skeletons.

The origins and origin of this type of gaming entertainment were an object of interest for the ancient Greeks. It is known that the Hellenes attributed the relevant invention to the Lydians, a tribe that has disappeared. And Sophocles, who lived in the fifth century BC, answered the question of who invented board games with dice specifically. He believed that it was the hero of the Trojan War, Palamedes, who taught Greek soldiers to play with astragals during military events.

In Ancient Egypt, board games were presented as a sign of great honor to the most influential and wealthy people of the country, representatives of the ruling dynasty, and foreign diplomats. Figurines for such gifts were made by master artists from marble, porcelain, and ivory and decorated with precious stones and metals. They looked luxurious and elegant, as they were meant to emphasize the status of their owners.

There is no unanimous opinion about the first board game to conquer humanity. However, it is known that backgammon, which is still popular today, is over 7 thousand years old. During the excavations related to the opening of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, archaeologists discovered an interesting artifact. It was one of the oldest backgammon sets.

How Did the Currently Popular Board Games Evolve?

History knows a lot about the development of chess, checkers, backgammon, and dominoes, which still have millions of fans around the world.

Chess

Experts consider the ancient Indian game Chaturanga to be a probable predecessor and ancestor of chess. The equipment for such a game included an 8×8 game board and a set of pieces that had obvious similarities to modern chess pieces. The purpose of this game was also to checkmate the opponent's king.

The treatise on chess, Chatrang Namak, written in Persian, says that the Supreme Shah of Iran, Khorsrov, received chess as a gift from the ruler of India. Arab sources name Sisq ben Dahir or Sassa as the inventor of this game, although it is likely that such epic writings are legends.

Descriptions of the algorithm and rules of chess of the past are also described in the poetry of Rudrata (9th century) and the works of Biruni (11th century). The History of Chess, written by Harold Murray in 1913, describes the development of this board game in detail.

Checkers

Checkers originated as a symbiosis of chess and an ancient board game of the Moorish people. The original version of the game, like the current one, involves two players.

France is considered the birthplace of checkers. The game originated in the Middle Ages, around the twelfth century. However, for a long time, it was played exclusively by the French. Checkers went beyond the borders of this country only in the 16th century. Initially, they began to gain popularity on the Apennine Peninsula, in Italy. Over time, the game gradually spread to the entire European continent.

Dominoes

This multiplayer game also has a history of almost a thousand years. It is known that it was already popular in the twelfth century. The materials used to make the first dominoes were not cheap: ivory and ebony, which were used to make speckled inserts. So, this game was the prerogative of the wealthy.

The name "dominoes" has an interesting origin. In the Middle Ages, this was the name of the winter attire of Catholic priests. It had a pattern similar to that of the dominoes.

Backgammon

This is a board game, the very first version of which was invented by Indians. Initially, backgammon had no gaming purpose. Their goal was to prevent the impending war between India and Persia.

Later, Indian astrologers started using this equipment. They associated the board with celestial space and the pieces with the planets. They also saw the seasons, months, and days as dividing the playing field. This is how astrologers tried to predict the future.

Backgammon became famous in Europe after the Crusades in the second half of the twelfth century. They acquired the status of gambling entertainment, especially loved by knights and nobles. Since soldiers and the rich lost huge amounts of money playing backgammon, the authorities were forced to impose restrictions on this entertainment.

One way or another, board games reflect aspects of the life of countries and peoples of different eras. They can rightfully be considered part of the cultural heritage of mankind.