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HomeTech & SciencesMedieval chess pieces found in a German castle!

Medieval chess pieces found in a German castle!

Board games have always been an integral part of human culture, serving as entertainment, a means of socialization and learning. Recently, a team of German archaeologists made an exceptional discovery in the ruins of a previously unexplored medieval castle, located in southern Germany.

Well-preserved chess pieces from the Middle Ages

Among the rubble, archaeologists have unearthed remarkably well-preserved chess pieces, providing valuable insight into the game and its practice during this era. The discovered pieces include:

  • A horse about four centimeters high
  • Four flower-shaped pawns
  • A deer antler die
  • Analyzes revealed that the horse figurine was painted red and showed signs of wear, indicating its use in chess games.

    The importance of this discovery for the history of chess

    This discovery is of great importance because chess pieces and board game pawns from before the 13th century are very rare in Central Europe. It reminds us that chess was a popular activity among the medieval nobility.

    The pieces were found under the rubble of a wall, suggesting that they were lost or hidden during the Middle Ages, contributing to their exceptional preservation. In addition, this discovery gives us a more complete insight into daily life in medieval castles and the leisure activities of their inhabitants.

    Exhibition of medieval chess pieces to the public

    The chess pieces will be presented to the public for the first time at two exhibitions:

  • The exhibition โ€œThe Hidden Country. We in the first millenniumโ€ at the Arthaus Stuttgart from September 13, 2024
  • The special exhibition โ€œUnearthed! Knights and castles in the Echaztal ยป in Pfullingen from June 15, 2024
  • This discovery is a reminder of the rich cultural heritage still buried underground and the importance of continued archaeological research to better understand the past and unlock the secrets of life in the Middle Ages.

    The game of chess: an age-old strategy game

    The game of chess, as we know it today, has its origins in India around the 6th century. It then spread to Persia, then to the Arab world before reaching Europe in the 10th century. Over the centuries, the rules of the game have evolved to become those we know today.

    Chess is considered one of the most complex and popular strategy games in the world. It features two players confronting each other on a 64-square chessboard, with the objective of putting the opposing king in checkmate. Each player has 16 pieces: a king, a queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and eight pawns.

    The importance of board games in the history of humanity

    Board games have played a crucial role in the development of strategic thinking, logic and socialization. Among the oldest board games, we can cite:

  • The Royal Game of Ur, originating from Mesopotamia (3000 BC)
  • Senet, very popular in ancient Egypt
  • Go, which appeared in China more than 2,500 years ago
  • Backgammon, whose origins date back to ancient Persia
  • These games have crossed ages and cultures, testifying to their universality and their ability to bring people together around a fun and intellectual activity.

    The discovery of these medieval chess pieces in Germany is a new milestone in the fascinating history of board games. It invites us to reflect on the importance of these games in our cultural heritage and the role they have played in the development of humanity. Future archaeological research will undoubtedly still have many surprises and revelations in store for us about the leisure and entertainment activities of our ancestors.

    SRQ Backlot