In a remarkable archaeological find, researchers have uncovered a potential game board at a medieval hammam, or public bathhouse, in Walīla, Morocco. This significant discovery was made by Tim Penn and his team from the University of Reading, who dated the hammam to the late eighth or early ninth century, with indications that it fell out of use by the tenth or eleventh century. The game board itself measures more than 13 inches in length and approximately four inches in width, and it was discovered positioned on the top step leading into a cold plunge pool. Its design features three rows with at least 13 small holes, suggesting that it was utilized for playing the game known as tāb or sig, marking it as the earliest known evidence of this game in North Africa, as stated by Penn.
The context of this find is particularly intriguing; board games were a popular pastime in the medieval Islamic world, as evidenced by various historical texts and the discovery of similar game boards in archaeological sites across Arabia and the Middle East. The strategic placement of this game board, where it was clearly visible to bathers entering or exiting the water, indicates that engaging in such games was likely an integral part of the social experience within the bathhouse. This insight enhances our understanding of leisure activities in historical Islamic societies and highlights their cultural significance.
As reported by archaeology.org.
