Carved for Play: The Nabataean Mancala Boards of Ancient Jordan

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Archaeologists in Jordan have discovered ancient Nabataean Mancala boards carved into sandstone at sites like Petra, Little Petra, and Sela Castle, offering a glimpse into daily life over 2,000 years ago. These rock-cut game boards, featuring rows of small depressions for moving stones or seeds, reveal that Nabataean traders and travellers enjoyed strategic games during rest stops along their trade routes. The finds highlight a playful and human side of the Nabataeans, linking them to a wider ancient tradition of Mancala-style games found across Africa and Arabia.

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