Ancient Chess History Unearthed

BBC ^ | 7-27-2002

[blam]

Saturday, 27 July, 2002, 16:22 GMT 17:22 UK

Ancient chess history unearthed

The chess piece was found in the ancient city of Butrint

A team of British archaeologists have unearthed evidence suggesting that Europeans were playing chess as early as the sixth century. An ivory chess piece, excavated at a Byzantine palace in what is now southern Albania, is more than 500 years older than any previously discovered.

Leaders of the University of Anglia expedition said it proves the game has a much longer history in Europe than was previously thought.

Until now chess historians had agreed that the game only became popular with the European elite during the 12th century, 700 years after it was invented in China, India or ancient Persia.

Walrus ivory

The chess piece, which is only lightly damaged, was unearthed in the ancient city of Butrint.

Professor Richard Hodges said: "We are wondering if it is the king or queen because it has a little cross but we are not sure."

The chess piece was found in Butrint, Albania

The team is now trying to find out exactly which piece they have found.

He said historians believed chess became popular in the early 12th century, because of walrus ivory chessmen found in Scotland's Outer Hebrides.

Other pieces were found as far afield as southern Italy.

"However, it now looks as though it was already being played in the central Mediterranean over 500 years earlier," Professor Hodges said.

The excavation team, which works with local archaeologists, also discovered coins.

[blam]

(another article, same story)

Albania find dates Europe chess to sixth century

(07/26/2002) (Agencies)

Archaeologists in Albania have found what appears to be Europe's oldest chessman, suggesting the game was played on the continent at least 500 years earlier than previously thought, a British professor said on Thursday.

The ivory piece was found in the ancient southern Albanian city of Butrint in a Roman palace dated to the fifth or sixth centuries, said archaeology professor Richard Hodges of East Anglia University.

"We are wondering if it is the king or queen because it has a little cross but we are not sure," Hodges told Reuters by phone.

Chess is believed to have originated in India in the fourth or fifth centuries, and came to Europe via the Silk Road.

Historians believe the game was played by the upper classes throughout Europe by the early 12th century, based on the walrus-ivory chessmen found in Scotland's Outer Hebrides and other pieces from as far as southern Italy.

"However, it now looks as though it was already being played in the central Mediterranean over 500 years earlier," said Hodges, scientific leader of the Burint Foundation which supports local archaeologists. 

[martin_fierro]

Europeans were playing chess as early as the sixth century.

Don't move that piece! They might still be in the middle of a game! <|:)~

[pabianice]

The team is now trying to find out exactly which piece they have found.

If they don't know what it is, how can they tell it's a chess piece?

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[cornelis]

The team is now trying to find out exactly which piece they have found.

Read, the journalist is now trying to find out exactly which piece they have found..

[blam]

"If they don't know what it is, how can they tell it's a chess piece?"

I think they mean that they don't know if it is a king, queen, knight or whatever.

[Sacajaweau]

One piece does not a chess set make.

Sac

[fnord]

1.e4 bump

[Kermit]

"Hey, I've been missing that piece." Methusalah.

[My back yard]

"If they don't know what it is, how can they tell it's a chess piece?" I think they mean that they don't know if it is a king, queen, knight or whatever.

I kinda wondered that one too. It seems, from reading the article, like it is just a piece of carving with a small cross on it. A chess piece is just one possibility.

Another supposition, headlined as fact, in order to attract.

Hey, they got me to read it!

[crazykatz]

I find it interesting that they stress "albania"...it was the Byzantine Empire and quite Christian at the time. There was not an albania or any albanians in the area...because albania did not exist!!

The Byzantine Empire was quite civilized and by the 10th century...90% of the population in Constantinople could read and write...unlike Western Europe which was in the throes of the dark ages.

I am not surprised that they would be playing chess in the Byzantine controlled areas.

[willy WOXOF]

700 years after it was invented in China

and on it a small "made in china" decal

[Consort]

It was probably carved last year by a gipsy who found a 1400 year old piece of ivory.

[My back yard]

I wouldn't be surprised either. Like you say, they were Christians. If they find more pieces, it will seem very possible. But, one piece could be any icon of a christian devotion. Could have been a relic more like my St. Christopher statue on the dash. ;^)

[Sacajaweau]

Good point!!

I always love the exposed "rock drawings" which were supposedly done 1000 years ago. My grandchildren are drawing the same horse form today.

And then there was that great 1989 trip I took where I carved a rock and the year 1789.

Sac

[Issaquahking]

Come on....hurry up and move! It's been centuries since you moved.

[Sacajaweau]

With such slim evidence of a chess game, why am I picturing a "known museum-duplication man" sitting in his workshop carving a few more pieces like crazy.

Wait till they turn up the red and black checker board!!

Amuse me!!

Sac

[TomGuy]

Alright, somebody has to say it: Al Gore invented chess. All before was just a prelude.

[Sunsong]

I am asking for help from Freepers who are chess players or Freepers who are interested in chess or checkers. There is a nice chess site:

pacific-mall.com/chess

It's easy to register and fun to play there :-)

And at this site, there is a message board:

pacific-mall.com/cgi-bin/bb.pl

I would appreciate some Freeper help at the "politics" section of the message board. There is just me there representing America and the right -- and there are so far three socialists dissing America and promoting world government. The socialists, in typical fashion, think that because they have greater numbers, they can shut me (and thus the view of principled, common sense) up. Please help me out with a post or two, or three. I can't think of anyone who could be of more assistance than some chess playing Freepers. If you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them.

Thanks in advance

Sunsong