What were Ancient Egyptian games made from?
In Ancient Egypt, people played many different board games, for two players or more.
Like the board games we play today, the games moved pieces across spaces on a board, and used objects like dice to see how many spaces to move.
Some games were very fancy and made from special materials like ivory and ebony. Dice were made from stone, bone or ivory.
Children also played with clay rattles, wooden toys and dolls.
Important words
Important words on what games were like in Ancient Egypt.
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| Coiled | Curled up in a spiral shape. |
| Mehen | An ancient Egyptian board game named after a snake god. |
| Pharoah | A ruler in Ancient Egypt. |
| Tomb | Special place where people were buried after they died. |
Watch: Ancient Egyptian games
Watch the video to learn more about what games the Ancient Egyptians played.
Child: Life looked tough in Ancient Egypt.
It doesn’t look like they had much time for fun.
What’s this?
‘Senet’, a board game dating from around 3000BC.
Ancient Egyptian person: Can I help you?
Child: Oh, hello!
Ancient Egyptian person: Do you play?
Child: Play? Oh no, I’ve never tried.
Ancient Egyptian person: Shame, it’s good.
I hear the last pharaoh was even buried with his favourite Senet boards!
It’s not surprising really.
The game shows the journey into the afterlife.
Child: What about this snake one?
Ancient Egyptian person: You mean ‘Mehen’? It’s named after a god in the form of a snake.
Oh yes! That’s very popular.
Though I’m not keen on snakes myself.
Child: I like this one.
Ancient Egyptian person: ‘Hounds and Jackals’! Do you know, I always forget the rules to that one!
Child: Hmmm…
Ancient Egyptian person: We have toys too, like this cute little horse, and this doll!
Child: I’m too old for dolls!
Ancient Egyptian person: Maybe you’re after something a bit more physical?
I’ve got juggling balls, a hand ball, and even bows and arrows!
Child: Hmm… I think I’d like to play this one.
Ancient Egyptian person: Ahh, ‘Aseb’! Yes, this is my favourite.
I can show you how to play if you like.
I should warn you, I am one of the best players around.
Child: Ok then. I’ll give it a go.
Ancient Egyptian person: Well, you need to throw this dice and you need a four…
Child: Yay! I win!
Ancient Egyptian person: Ok… Ok… best of three!
Slideshow: Ancient Egyptian games
Click through the slideshow to learn more about Ancient Egyptian games.
Image caption, The Ancient Egyptians played Aseb on one side of this box and Senet on the other side. Look closely at the picture and you can see some knuckle bones. The ancient Egyptians would use these as dice.
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What was Mehen?
The board game Mehen was named after Mehen the snake god.
He coiled (curled up in a spiral shape) to protect the sun god, Ra, as he travelled through the underworld at night.
We don’t know exactly how the Ancient Egyptians played Mehen.
Experts have found boards and pieces, but there are no instructions.
Many people have guessed how it might have been played, but these are only ideas.
The gameboard was a coiled snake split into rectangular spaces.
The game was played with lion shaped pieces and small marbles or balls.
Think like a historian
Have a look at the thinking points below and think about your answer to the questions. You could even write it down on a piece of paper or discuss it with somebody else if you want to.
Why was the Hounds and Jackals board important?
Why don’t we know exactly how Mehen was played?
How is the way children played in ancient Egypt different from the way children play today?
Did you think about how finding artefacts tells us what life was like long ago? The Hounds and Jackals board shows us that the ancient Egyptians played games for fun. Finding a complete and well-preserved board in a tomb also helps us understand what kinds of games they enjoyed and how they are played. Because the board is still in very good condition, we can see its design and how it was made.
Perhaps you thought about how Mehen was played a long time ago. Not everything people made or wrote has lasted till today. We don’t know the exact rules of Mehen because no instructions were written down, or if they were, they didn’t survive.
Children in ancient Egypt played for fun, just like children do today. They played with their friends and family and used toys or board games. However, their toys were made from clay, wood, or stone while children today often play with plastic or electronic toys. Some games long ago were board games like Mehen or Senet, whereas children now might play video games or sports as well as board games.
Activities
Activity 1: Explore Ancient Egyptian games
Click on the market stall to learn about four Ancient Egyptian games.
Games included ‘Senet’, ‘Hounds and Jackals’ ‘Aseb’ and ‘Mehen’.
Activity 2: Name the game
Solve the riddle and type the correct game name.
Activity 3: Quiz – Ancient Egyptian games
Activity 4: Make your own Mehen board
Make your own Mehen board. document
Download our ancient Egyptian Mehen board game and play the game yourself!
Activity 5: History Explorer game
Play this game to test your knowledge and learn even more facts about Ancient Egypt.
History Explorer: Secrets through time
History Explorer: Secrets through time: KS2 History
Grown-ups corner
Are you a parent, carer or teacher?
Take a look at some of the links below on KS2 History which are packed full of knowledge, videos, quizzes and activities.
KS2 History: Ancient Egypt
BBC Bitesize for Teachers
KS2 History: Ancient Egypt - Society and culture
BBC Bitesize for Teachers
KS2 Music: Ancient Egypt
BBC Bitesize School Radio
Horrible Histories: Raid and Trade game! game
Play Horrible Histories: Raid and Trade KS2 History
More on Ancient Egypt
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