A Brief Flashback on the Origin of Board Games

Board games have been around since time immemorial. They have started from the markedly moment that man has learned how to express his thoughts. Evolution has produced it evident that man slowly progressed in terms of how he was able to communicate with the people around him. an identical thing goes with the manner in which man was in spite of everything able to find an appropriate alternative to compete peacefully. Who will ever think that the earliest people in addition had their own alternatives to do away with boredom and keep themselves preoccupied and entertained? These games actually aided them survive the earliest times when they were yet deprived of many things such as those that spell amenities and conveniences.

A Part of a Society’s Culture

Clearly, history says us that every civilization has had its own share of quiet yet entertaining games. if truth be told, archaeologists have previously uncovered many relics that looked to be boards with inscriptions on how the games were played. although the early dwellers were devoid of formal education, no one can tell that they were illiterate. in spite of everything, they figured out how to go about with their games. The mere fact that they were able to set rules for their games is one step ahed of enough to stop labeling them as empty-headed.

Tracing Back the Old Times

The Senet. So far, the oldest board game dates back to 3500 BC in the course of the pre-dynastic times in Egypt. It is called as the “Senet” which signifies “the passing game”. Relics of them have been unearthed both in the pre-dynastic epoch as well as in the First Dynasty burial venues which goes back to about 3100 BC. As time passed by, the Senet became very generalized as it popular its recognition even up to the New Dynasty way back in 1567 up to 1085 BC. Moreover, the Egyptians believed that one who plays the game surely well is shielded contrary the wrath of the gods. It had in addition been customary for them to be buried with the game board since it signified a certain sort of help as the soul journeys into the afterlife.

The Go. This game originated in China which traces back to 548 BC. There are legends that point out Emperor Yao being the pioneer of the game. People believed that he designed the game for his markedly own son. in addition, it is mentioned that the game was rooted out of a sort of fortune telling device and that the tribal warlords in China used the game as a mode of enhancing their attacking positions by utilizing stones. By nature, the game was supposed to be the game of the aristocracy and later in the 5th century AD, its popularity reached Korea and Japan.

The Backgammon. This in some way bears traces of the valid Senet game and was restructured by Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum to have 2 rows with 12 points each. In the 6th century AD, it transformed its name into Alea which then turned into a very generalized game in the course of the Middle Ages. It in addition took the name of Tabula which signifies “board game”.

These are just between the earliest board games that the experts have confirmed. maybe there could be more discoveries someday. Nevertheless, it pays to take a close by look at the elderly origins of what the modern society has now.