The old, world-wide phenomenon of playing board
games has received little attention among scholars
studying the ancient cultures. This thesis collects
and analyses game-related material from Bronze Age
Crete, defines the field of research and examine
gaming as part of social history. The book starts
with a history of research of Eastern Mediterranean
games and game boards and then analyses three types
of archaeological material connected to games.
First, the cup-holes made on pavement slabs at
public, multi-purpose areas, such as street corners
and courtyards, are investigated. Then the elaborate
Knossos game board provides a new understanding for
its details, layout and logic. Finally, all kinds of
small objects are investigated, e.g. markers,
pieces, dice and lots. The game-related finds can
also highlight other aspects of the Minoan society;
the public and private spheres, connections to
ritual and religion, etc. We have a local production
of gaming material, with various dimensions of
foreign influence. These influences often came from
Egypt, but little seems to have continued to the
Greek mainland.