Innovation No. 59 of 77 in the book
Team Sports
Organized team play, first recorded in Middle Kingdom tombs
- When
- c. 2000 BCE
- Dynasty
- 11th Dynasty
- Era
- Middle Kingdom
Organized team games with rules show up first on Egyptian tomb walls, painted around 2000 BCE at Beni Hasan.
One scene shows two players facing off with curved sticks over a small ball on the ground — a game strikingly like field hockey, right down to a face-off start.
Others show ball games, catch and elaborate team gymnastics — structured play with sides and rules, not just children messing about.
The idea of a team sport was first drawn on the Nile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for team sports in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 2000 BCE during Egypt's Middle Kingdom (11th Dynasty). Organized team games with rules show up first on Egyptian tomb walls, painted around 2000 BCE at Beni Hasan.
How did ancient Egyptians develop team sports, and what is its legacy?
One scene shows two players facing off with curved sticks over a small ball on the ground — a game strikingly like field hockey, right down to a face-off start. One scene shows two players facing off with curved sticks over a small ball on the ground — a game strikingly like field hockey, right down to a face-off start. The idea of a team sport was first drawn on the Nile.