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Medieval game counter

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Board games are known from a wide range of cultures across the world. They often have purposes beyond passing the time and amusement. Snakes and ladders was intended to teach about the Indian philosophical concept of karma. Boards and pieces for the Egyptian game senet are often found in tombs and may not be simple pastimes for the afterlife, but may symbolise the journey through life and to the afterlife.

Royal Game of Ur

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The Royal Game of Ur from Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq).

See more See more: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/the-royal-game-of-ur/MwE2MMZNSKiTwQ

Ancient Egyptian game of senet

21-bigpic-01 See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=118785&partId=1&searchText=Ancient+Egyptian+game+of+senet&page=1

The ancient Indian game of pachisi

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Marble board from Rome

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For playing the race game Lucky Sixes (felix sex), a version of tabula/Tables. The letters represents spaces and spell out words suited to the idea of the game as a race: the circus is full; the noise is loud; the starting gates are bulging.

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?partid=1&assetid=20743&objectid=1416899

The Lewis chess pieces

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Mancala

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Mancala, which probably originated in East Africa and is now played around the world.

See more See more: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/mancala-board-in-the-form-of-a-wheelbarrow/FwFNDH9ujCdkFA
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Medieval game counter