Feb 9, 2022 05:27 PM
https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/01/...g-in-oman/
EXCERPTS: Archaeologists working in Oman's Qumayrah Valley recently uneartheda rare artifact: a stone board game dating back some 4,000 years. The board features grid-like markings (possibly indicating fields) and holes for cups. It was found at a site near the village of Ayn Bani Saidah.
[...] There is archaeological evidence for various kinds of board games from all over the world dating back millennia: Senet and Mehen in ancient Egypt, for example, or a strategy game called ludus latrunculorum ("game of mercenaries") favored by Roman legions. The board just discovered at the Omani site might be a precursor to an ancient Middle Eastern game known as the Royal Game of Ur (or the Game of Twenty Squares), a two-player game that may have been one of the precursors to backgammon (or was simply replaced in popularity by backgammon).
[...] Along with the board game, the Qumayrah Valley team also unearthed the remains of several large circular stone towers dating back to the Bronze Age, as well as one angular tower... (MORE - missing details)
EXCERPTS: Archaeologists working in Oman's Qumayrah Valley recently uneartheda rare artifact: a stone board game dating back some 4,000 years. The board features grid-like markings (possibly indicating fields) and holes for cups. It was found at a site near the village of Ayn Bani Saidah.
[...] There is archaeological evidence for various kinds of board games from all over the world dating back millennia: Senet and Mehen in ancient Egypt, for example, or a strategy game called ludus latrunculorum ("game of mercenaries") favored by Roman legions. The board just discovered at the Omani site might be a precursor to an ancient Middle Eastern game known as the Royal Game of Ur (or the Game of Twenty Squares), a two-player game that may have been one of the precursors to backgammon (or was simply replaced in popularity by backgammon).
[...] Along with the board game, the Qumayrah Valley team also unearthed the remains of several large circular stone towers dating back to the Bronze Age, as well as one angular tower... (MORE - missing details)