Hounds and Jackels - an ancient Egyptian board game

Hounds and Jackals is an ancient Egyptian board game that dates back to the Middle Kingdom period, around 1800 BCE. It is a race game played on a rectangular board with a series of holes or depressions. The game consists of two sets of playing pieces, one representing hounds and the other representing jackals.

The historical significance of Hounds and Jackals lies in its representation of ancient Egyptian culture and society. It provides insights into the leisure activities and pastimes of the time, as well as the artistic and aesthetic preferences of the ancient Egyptians. The game also reflects the importance of animals in Egyptian mythology and their symbolic significance in their belief system.

The game has been discovered in various archaeological sites, including tombs and burial chambers, indicating its association with the afterlife and the belief in the journey of the soul. The game's presence in these contexts suggests its role in funerary rituals and its significance in the religious and spiritual practices of ancient Egypt.