Dear History Enthusiasts,
This week, let us journey back to the cradle of civilization, to a dusty corner of ancient Mesopotamia where one of the world’s oldest known board games was once played. The Royal Game of Ur, as it is now called, is more than just an artifact. It is a testament to humanity’s enduring love for play, competition, and connection across time.
Unearthed in the City of Kings
The game was rediscovered in the 1920s by British archaeologist Sir Leonard Woolley, during excavations at the Royal Cemetery of Ur, located in what is now southern Iraq. In a burial site dating back to around 2600 BCE, Woolley uncovered several elaborately decorated game boards made of wood, shell, and lapis lazuli. They were found in tombs alongside other treasured possessions, suggesting the game held ceremonial or symbolic significance as well as recreational value.
The board itself features two sets of squares arranged in a distinctive T-shaped layout. Each player had a set of seven counters, and the throw of eight-sided dice determined movement. Though some of the finer details remain debated, the basic rules have been reconstructed, and the game has even been revived by modern players.
From Mesopotamia to the World
The Royal Game of Ur was not confined to the city for which it is named. Versions of the game, or very similar ones, have been found across the ancient Near East. From Iran to Syria, it appears to have been widely played for centuries, enduring into the first millennium BCE. In fact, references to the game were found inscribed in cuneiform on a Babylonian tablet dating to 177 BCE. This tablet, held in the British Museum, includes rules that have helped scholars understand how the game was played.
As Mesopotamian influence spread, so too did this pastime. It is believed the game may have influenced other ancient board games, including the Egyptian game of Senet and even aspects of backgammon.
More Than a Game
For the Sumerians, the Royal Game of Ur was not only a recreation. It may have carried religious or metaphysical meaning. Some scholars believe that moves on the board could have symbolized one's journey through life and into the afterlife. The inclusion of the game in tombs suggests it was thought to accompany or aid the dead on their passage to the next world.
Playing the game today offers more than historical curiosity. It is a direct link to some of the earliest moments of recorded culture, a reminder that even four thousand years ago, people sought enjoyment, strategy, and perhaps a glimpse of fate in the throw of a die.
Until next time, remember to embrace the lessons of history, but never get caught up in its cobwebs.
Warm regards,
Hugh
