A New Theory on the Oldest Known Bronze Age Board Game
A New Theory on the Oldest Known Bronze Age Board Game
The Surprising Discovery of Hounds and Jackals
Recent archaeological findings suggest that the Bronze Age board game, Hounds and Jackals—also known as Fifty-Eight Holes—may have originated not in Egypt, as previously believed, but in Asia. A version of the game board, discovered in Azerbaijan, could predate the Egyptian artifacts, raising new questions about the game’s true origins. The research, published in the European Journal of Archaeology1, offers fresh insights into this ancient game and its cultural significance.
A Global History of Ancient Games
Board games have been part of human culture for millennia. Archaeological evidence reveals the existence of various games, such as Senet and Mehen in ancient Egypt, and the Roman strategy game ludus latrunculorum. A 4,000-year-old board recently discovered in Oman suggests it could be a precursor to the Middle Eastern Royal Game of Ur, which may have influenced the development of backgammon. Similar to these, Hounds and Jackals was a race game played by two opponents, who competed to move their pieces across the board before their rival.
In 2022, archaeologists unearthed another ancient game board in Poland’s Ćmielów Castle ruins. This board was for a strategy game called Mill, or Nine Men’s Morris, which traces back to Roman times and was found carved into roofing slabs of an Egyptian temple. Such findings highlight the spread and evolution of games across continents, influencing both social practices and leisure activities.
The Discovery in Azerbaijan: Rewriting the Origin Story
The most recent breakthrough in the story of Hounds and Jackals came in 2018 when archaeologist Walter Crist and his team unearthed a game board carved into rock in Gobustan, Azerbaijan, near the Caspian Sea. The board closely resembled the Egyptian Fifty-Eight Holes, consisting of two parallel rows of 29 holes. Players used small sticks with carved dog and jackal heads, moving their pieces from the starting point to the end—much like a Bronze Age version of cribbage.
The Azerbaijani game board has been dated to the Middle Bronze Age, which could place its creation before the Egyptian examples. Pottery shards found at the site suggest that local shepherds likely played the game during the winter months, sheltering from the elements in rock caves. This discovery, combined with the existence of similar game boards in other parts of the region, points to a wider spread of the game across Asia before it appeared in Egypt.
The Global Spread of Hounds and Jackals
More than 60 examples of Hounds and Jackals have been uncovered across Egypt, Mesopotamia, Israel, Syria, Iran, and Azerbaijan. The oldest known Egyptian version of the game dates to the reign of Mentuhotep II (2064–1952 BCE), making the Azerbaijani find even more significant. The existence of game boards in both Asia and the Middle East suggests that the game spread rapidly between regions, facilitated by trade and cultural exchanges.
However, accurately dating the game’s origins remains challenging. According to Crist and co-author Rahman Abdullayev, more precise evidence is needed from securely dated archaeological contexts. Despite the uncertainties, their study emphasizes how games functioned as “social lubricants,” allowing people to interact and bond across cultural and social divides.
The Social Role of Ancient Board Games
The rapid adoption of Hounds and Jackals across multiple cultures highlights the important role of games in ancient societies. These artifacts offer insight into the everyday lives of people in the Bronze Age, from shepherds in Azerbaijan to royalty in Egypt. Board games like Hounds and Jackals may have been more than just entertainment; they likely served as tools for teaching strategy, communication, and even negotiation, fostering connections between different groups.
As the search for more ancient game boards continues, archaeologists and historians are gaining a deeper understanding of the social dynamics of prehistoric and early historical societies. The spread of Hounds and Jackals across such a wide geographical area underscores the human desire for play and competition—an enduring feature of human culture.
Conclusion
The discovery of a Hounds and Jackals board in Azerbaijan has rewritten the narrative of the game’s origins, shifting its birthplace from Egypt to Asia. Although further evidence is needed to confirm this theory, the finding emphasizes the game’s cultural significance and widespread appeal during the Bronze Age. The spread of this ancient board game illustrates the interconnectedness of early societies and offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of the people who played it.
As more ancient game boards are discovered, these findings continue to challenge assumptions about the past, revealing the complexity of human interaction and the role of games in bridging cultural divides. This research not only sheds light on the evolution of board games but also deepens our understanding of ancient civilizations and their social practices.
Crist, W., & Abdullayev, R. (2024). Herding with the hounds: The game of fifty-eight holes in the Abşeron Peninsula. European Journal of Archaeology, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1017/eaa.2024.24