Across the Board
Around the World in 18 Games
A British Museum Exhibition
About the Exhibition
Games have been played throughout the world since ancient times. The Roman game, Duodecim Scripta was scratched onto seats at amphitheatres, evidence of which was found by archaeologists hundreds of years later. In Egypt, as shown on the burial papyri, the dead played Senet with the gods as a test to see if they were worthy to pass into the afterlife. Snakes and Ladders is an ancient game that originates from India and was used to teach morality. Good behaviour led up the ladders and bad behaviour meant moving down a frightening snake.
Across the Board explores all of these games plus many more...
The exhibition features an amazing assortment of board games from around the world and throughout the ages.
The highlight is a number of the Lewis Chessmen: 12th century beautifully carved ivory chess pieces from the Isle of Lewis. The exhibition also includes favourites such as the chess pieces used in a famous Children's film as well as replicas and originals of many other ancient games.
Making a visit
Wardown Park Museum
Old Bedford Road
Luton LU2 7HA
Tel: 01582 546722
Opening times:
Tuesday -Saturday 10am-5pm
Sun 1pm-5pm (open Bank Holiday Mondays)
Christmas closure
Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day
Admission to the museum and exhibition is free.
Across the Board is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) under the national/regional museum partnership programme for education, 2004-2006
