Exploring Our Past: From Stone Age Ireland to Ancient Civilizations · 3rd Year · Games and Pastimes Through Time · Summer Term

Ancient Egyptian Games

Exploring the board games and physical activities enjoyed by children and adults in Ancient Egypt.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Primary - Life, society, work and culture in the past
• NCCA: Primary - Continuity and change over time

About This Topic

Games and pastimes have been a part of human life for thousands of years. This topic explores the sports and board games played by Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and the early Irish. This aligns with the NCCA 'Life, Society, Work and Culture' and 'Continuity and Change' strands. Students investigate games like Senet from Egypt, the early Olympic games in Greece, and the origins of hurling (the 'Game of the Gods') in Ireland.

By comparing ancient games to modern ones, students see how some activities have stayed the same while others have changed completely. They also explore how games were often used to practice skills needed for hunting or war. This topic comes alive when students can physically play versions of ancient games or participate in a collaborative investigation into the materials used to make toys in the past.

Key Questions

1. Analyze how ancient games reflected Egyptian culture and beliefs.
2. Compare the rules of Senet to a modern board game.
3. Explain the importance of play in ancient societies.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the cultural significance of Senet and other ancient Egyptian games.
• Compare the rules and gameplay of Senet to a modern board game like checkers or chess.
• Explain the role of physical activities and board games in the daily lives of ancient Egyptians.
• Identify common themes and purposes of games across different ancient societies.

Before You Start

Introduction to Ancient Egypt

Why: Students need a basic understanding of ancient Egyptian society, including its rulers and common activities, to contextualize the games.

Early Civilizations: Mesopotamia and Egypt

Why: Familiarity with the concept of early civilizations provides a foundation for understanding the historical period and cultural context of the games.

Key Vocabulary

Senet	An ancient Egyptian board game, often considered one of the oldest board games in the world. It was played by both children and adults and had religious significance.
Mehen	Another ancient Egyptian board game, characterized by its spiral board. It is thought to represent a snake and was likely played by children.
Hieroglyphs	The formal writing system used in ancient Egypt, which used pictorial symbols. These symbols are sometimes found on game boards or pieces.
Pharaoh	The ruler of ancient Egypt, considered a god on Earth. Games were sometimes played by the royal family and depicted in tomb paintings.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Ancient children didn't have toys.

What to Teach Instead

Archaeologists have found dolls, pull-toys, and marbles dating back thousands of years. A 'mystery artifact' activity where students guess the use of an ancient clay animal helps them see that play is a universal human need.

Common Misconception

Games were just for fun.

What to Teach Instead

Many games had religious or military meanings. For example, the early Olympics were a religious festival. A peer discussion about 'why we play' helps students see the deeper purpose of games in different cultures.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: Playing Senet

Students create a simple Senet board on paper and use stones or counters to play. They must follow the ancient rules and discuss why a game about 'reaching the afterlife' was so popular in Egypt.

40 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle: Toy Materials

Display a collection of modern toys (plastic, electronic) and ancient toy replicas (wood, clay, bone). Groups must match the ancient toy to its modern equivalent and discuss why the materials changed.

30 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: Training for Life

Students look at a list of ancient sports (archery, wrestling, running). In pairs, they discuss how each sport helped a young person prepare for adult life in a world without shops or modern technology.

20 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Museum curators at the British Museum or the Metropolitan Museum of Art study ancient artifacts, including game boards like Senet, to understand daily life and beliefs in ancient Egypt.
• Board game designers can draw inspiration from the history of games, exploring ancient mechanics and themes to create new and engaging experiences for players today.
• Archaeologists excavating sites in Egypt often uncover fragments of game boards and pieces, providing direct evidence of recreational activities enjoyed thousands of years ago.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Students will write two sentences explaining one way ancient Egyptian games reflected their culture or beliefs, and one sentence comparing Senet to a modern board game they know.

Quick Check

Present students with images of different ancient Egyptian artifacts related to games. Ask them to identify which artifact is a game board and briefly describe its potential use.

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class discussion using the prompt: 'Why do you think playing games was important for children and adults in ancient Egypt, even with their busy lives?' Encourage students to connect play to social interaction, skill development, or religious beliefs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the oldest board game in the world?

Senet from Ancient Egypt is one of the oldest, dating back over 5,000 years. Another very old one is the Royal Game of Ur from Mesopotamia. Both were race games where players moved pieces across a board based on the throw of 'sticks' or dice.

How old is hurling?

Hurling is over 3,000 years old! It is mentioned in the ancient Irish legends of Cú Chulainn. In the past, it was often played between entire parishes with hundreds of players and no fixed pitch.

What did ancient balls look like?

They didn't have rubber, so they made balls from inflated animal bladders, stitched leather filled with hair or feathers, or even woven papyrus. They were much heavier and didn't bounce as well as modern balls!

How can active learning help students understand ancient games?

Physically playing a game like Senet is the best way to understand it. When students experience the frustration of a 'bad throw' or the strategy of blocking an opponent, they connect with people from 5,000 years ago. This active participation turns a dry historical fact into a shared human experience.