How old is Chess?

Chess is commonly believed to have originated in India as the game, Chaturanga Sanskrit meaning, "four parts", referring to divisions of the military of the Gupta Empire. In about the 6th century CE, it was adapted by the Persians who carried it west to Spain where it spread to Italy and then France. The game made its way to Wales in the 11th century, as a consequence of the Norman incursions, where it became known as Gwyddbwyll. Gwyddbwyll was also known as Fidchell in Ireland. Irish legend has it that Fidchell was actually invented by Lugh, the Irish god of light and was a game played by royalty as well as the gods.

Board games modeled on war, using carved pieces and checkered patterns like Chess, have cross-cultural ties and appear to have been part of the human experience for hundreds, or even thousands of years. In the 5th Century BCE, one of the first known board games modeled on war was the ancient Greek military-style board game, Petteia (aka Poleis, Polis, City, Cities, Pessoi, or Pebbles). The game, Petteia, as Plato and Aristotle called it, was played on boards with black and white stones lined up on opposing sides. The goal was to capture an opponent's stones by blocking them in between two others. Sound familiar?

So it could be argued that the game of Chess has its origins in ancient Greece. However, upon further examination, you will find archaeological evidence suggests board games, like Chess, can be found from the earliest stages of civilization and in all major ancient countries. This is particularly true in the Near East; the cradle of civilization. Numerous game boards with their playing pieces have been discovered in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Anatolia. While scholars still debate their significance, it is generally agreed that these games were played by people in both higher and lower social classes.

Some of the most ancient archaeological examples of strategic board games were found in the Royal Tombs of Ur in Iraq by Sir Leonard Woolley in the 1920s. These game boards are some of the oldest examples excavated, dating from the First Dynasty of Ur, before 2600 BCE, as seen on the left. However, the trail does not stop here. Senet boards, found in Egyptian tombs, predate the game boards of Ur by almost 1000 years! The oldest hieroglyph depicting a game of Senet dates to about 3100 BCE. The image to the right is of a fresco from the tomb of Nefertari. It depicts Queen Nefertari playing Senet.

Still, new information on the origin of Chess was uncovered as recently as 2013, when a complete set of small carved stones was found in a 5,000-year-old burial mound at Başur Höyük near Siirt in southeast Turkey. The site was inhabited as early as 7,000 BCE and was on a trade route between Mesopotamia and East Anatolia. These game pieces could represent the earliest ever found. The pieces, pictured below, were sculpted in such shapes as pigs, dogs and pyramids, and are painted in green, red, blue, black and white. Archaeologists are still trying to figure out exactly how the game was played, but have determined that it is, indeed, similar to Chess.


So how old is Chess? It seems there is no way to be certain. From an archaeological perspective, its origins are still being unearthed. There does not appear to be a Scholar’s Mate on the horizon for this one. However, one thing is clear, Chess and Chess-like games have spanned many eras and cultures, undergoing numerous adaptations. The next time you sit down to a game of Chess, just think, you are taking part in a living history! For anyone who does not play Chess, you may want to consider trying it. Get back in touch with what it means to be human, as Chess has proven to be a steadfast part of our collective human experience.


Click here to read another ancient use for game pieces. One you might never have expected... 

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Quick Update

It has been a busy time for me lately so I have not been as diligent about blogging. There are so many projects unfolding and my book, Anthrotheology, is just about ready to launch. It is a very hectic, but very exciting time. So for now, I will just leave you with this thought. 

Never give up! You may be closer than you realize.

Bulgarian Archaeologists Uncover Unusually Large Relief of Zeus

Bulgarian archaeologists have discovered an unusually large votive relief of the Greek god Zeus near the Bulgarian village of Starosel, indicating that it was once the center part of an ancient temple. 

The temple is believed to have been built in the 6th or 5th century BCE, and could have very well been the power center of Ancient Thrace in the 4th century BCE. It was subsequently destroyed during the rise of the Macedonian state of Philip II in 342-341 BCE.

In antiquity, Zeus was commonly featured as, or with, an eagle. Strangely, the archaeologists reported that a large eagle appeared in the sky as they were about to uncover the artifact. 

Perhaps it was Zeus watching over them?

Radio Appearance—Just Energy Radio with Dr. Rita Louise

Tonight I will be on Just Energy Radio with Dr. Rita Louise. 

Listen Live, Thursday, August 1st from 8:00PM-10PM EST

You can also call in and listen to the show on your phone by dialing: (786)837-2262  

You're Invited!

Tickets on sale now! Come see me, Stanton Friedman, Edward Malkowski, Frank Joseph, Maat DeMerritt, Patrick Giles, and Roger Sugden this fall!

I will be signing special edition, pre-released copies of my new book, Anthrotheology. 

I am really looking forward to this event, not only because of the great speakers, but also because of the venue. The Karpeles Manuscript Library and Museum is amazing! There will also be a pre-conference meet and greet for paid ticket holders at LaSalle Bed and Breakfast on Friday, September 20, 2013. The fact that catered meals are included in the All Day Pass  during the conference, makes this event even more unique. At a ticket price of only $100.00, this event will sell out fast so hurry and grab a seat!!! 

Hope to see everyone there! 

STAR Update and Upcoming Angkor Wat Tour

I've been so busy lately with STAR that I have not had a chance to blog as much as usual, nor have I been able to answer everyone's emails in a timely manner, but I want to thank everyone for their support as I work to get my organization, STAR (Society for Truth in Archaeological Research), off the ground. 

Exciting things are coming for STAR! Our online classes are in development, the STAR Journal is coming a long nicely, and our first trip is in the works. It will be a joint collaboration with Ancient Mysteries International this spring so stay tuned!

Here is a sneak peek at where STAR will be going this spring. STAR members are invited to join me on this amazing adventure to Angkor Wat! Get your passports ready!