Chessboard from the "Stone Age" discovered!

Chess, one of the oldest and most fascinating games in the world, has a rich and complex history that dates back to ancient times. The strategic thinking game has captivated people around the world for centuries and has undergone numerous innovative developments and changes.

Archaeologists have discovered a remarkably well-preserved chess set from 2400 BC. It was unearthed in the 1st century BC, providing important insights into the history of this fascinating game.

During archaeological excavations, the oldest chessboard in the world was found, dating back to c. 2400 BC. An impressive piece of history that shows how far back the tradition of playing chess actually goes.

Who would have thought that This strategic game was played over 4000 years ago? A fascinating insight into the past and the importance of chess for humanity. 

.

This ancient chess board was excavated from Lothal (Gujarat, India).

-Location of Lothal

-Lothal: The forgotten city of the dead

-Lothal: Back in the days; "Lothal was discovered as a result of a systematic survey of Gujarat undertaken by the author in the year 1954 as part of the programme for locating Harappan settlements within the present-day borders of India.

Lothal, located in the state of Gujarat in western India, is an archaeological site known for its well-preserved ancient port city from the Indus Civilization. The city was founded around 2400 BC. Founded in the 1st century BC, it was an important trading center connected to other civilizations in the Middle East and Mesopotamia.

The structure of the city is well preserved and shows a sophisticated urban planning system with well-designed streets, sewers and residential and commercial areas. Lothal was also known for its advanced technology, including a sophisticated sewage system and a harbor with special docks for boats.

Archaeologists have unearthed numerous artifacts and relics from Lothal, including terracotta figurines, ceramic ware, seals and jewelry, providing insight into the daily lives of the residents.

Nowadays Lothal is a popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the well-preserved ruins and learn more about the fascinating history and culture of the Indus Civilization.

It is the earliest known Chess board in the whole world. It dates back to 2400 BC. 

.

Excerpt from the published excavation report by the archaeologist SR Rao:

"The close resemblance between various types of terracotta chessmen excavated from Lothal and modern Chessmen is remarkable. 

.

It seems that the Indian game of Chaturanga (Chess) had its origin in one of the Harappan Games.

Although no wooden game-board has been found in the excavation, the brick from Mohenjo-Daro marked with squares is presumed to be a model of game-boards.

Lothal has also yielded two models, one made of pottery and the other a brick tablet.

-Chaturanga Game

The Chaturanga Game is a form of chess that has its roots in ancient India. It is also referred to as the "original chess" because it is considered the ancestor of the modern game of chess. Chaturanga is Sanskrit and means "Four Arms", which refers to the four parts of the army represented in this game: elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers.

The game is played on an 8x8 board, similar to modern chess. However, the rules of the game differ slightly: for example, the king can only move diagonally, and there is no castling. The aim of the game is to "checkmate" the opponent's king, meaning that he can no longer make legal moves.

Chaturanga has historical and cultural significance as it was widespread in both ancient India and the Arab world and had an influence on the development of modern chess. Nowadays Chaturanga is mostly played as a historical replica or as an interesting historical chess game.

Harappan Game

The Harappan game is a traditional Indian board game also known as Pachisi or Chaupar. It is similar to the Western game "Man Don't Worry (Aggravation, Ludo, Sorry")" and is played with a special game board divided into nine squares.

The goal of the game is to safely move all four pieces to the center of the board by moving them according to the number rolled. Players take turns rolling the dice and moving their pieces along the marked path on the board. There are special rules and obstacles that must be taken into account, such as blocking opponent's pieces and following certain paths.

The Harappan game is a strategy game that requires skill, tactics and luck. It can be played by two to four players and is a fun pastime often played in India and lots of other countries.

Much valuable information about the various indoor games indulged in by the Harappans is available from the gamesmen, game-boards and dices found at the major Indus cities. 

Dice also found in connection with the chessboard

Lothal has yielded a cubical terracotta dice marked 1 opposite 2, 3 opposite 4, and 5 opposite 6 but normally the Harappan dices are found marked 1 opposite 6, 2 opposite 5, and 3 opposite 4 so as to make the sum of the opposite numbers equal to seven.

Conclusion

In addition, the chess game also shows how far back the history of chess goes. Many people think that the game of chess only emerged in the Middle Ages, but this discovery shows that it was played thousands of years ago.

The archaeologists who discovered the chess game are excited about their discovery and hope to gain further insight into the history of chess. It's amazing to think how a game played over 4,000 years ago is still so popular and fascinating today.

Overall, the discovery of this ancient chess set is an exciting find that is of great interest to both archaeologists and chess lovers.

It is fascinating to see how the game of chess has developed over the millennia and how it continues to fascinate and inspire people all over the world today.