Ancient history

A short history of games of chance in the Middle East

From ancient dice and royal game boards to modern digital platforms, the Middle East's long relationship with games of chance reveals a timeless fascination with luck, fate and uncertainty.

“From ancient dice to modern apps, the Middle East's fascination with games of chance has endured for over four thousand years.”
People look at the newly acquired Tomb of Francois, a 4th-century BC masterpiece bought last month by Italy's Culture Ministry for 15 million euros, at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, Italy, June 30, 2026.

Frescos from famed Etruscan tomb go on display in Rome after multi-million euro purchase by Italy

"A historical overview of gambling in the Middle East, from ancient civilizations to modern regulation."

A historical overview of gambling in the Middle East

Mosaic showing Alexander the Great on a horse, June 25, 2026.

Turkey places site of Alexander the Great’s first battle with Persians under historic protection


Massive 5,000-year-old dolmen rewrites Bronze Age trade in southern Spain

we may be talking about one of the most monumental and complete dolmens in all of Andalusia, said professor Becerra.

Massive 5,000-year-old dolmen rewrites Bronze Age trade in southern Spain.

Ken Follett returns with an epic on building Stonehenge in 2500 BCE

Follett spent six months on research, distilled it into a fifty page exposé checked by historians before expanding it into the 704 page saga of Seft and Joia hauling monoliths across the great plain.

Ken Follett returns with an epic on building Stonehenge in 2500 BCE.

2,000-year-old Roman brooch found by detectorist

The finds liaison officer confirmed the brooch's age, saying it dates from between 1,800 and 2,000 years ago and calling it 'an interesting item for Dorset' that is uncommon nationally.

A detectorist searching for relics. Illustration.

'The detector went crazy': Hoard found in Byzantine Christian center near Sea of Galilee

Dr. Michael Eisenberg said this is one of Israel’s main Byzantine treasures, unique for its mix of jewelry and gold coins from various emperors.

A Byzantine Christian center near Sea of Galilee.

Roman era 1,800-year-old stadium unearthed in Syedra ancient city in southern Turkey

Roughly forty inscriptions found around the city refer to wrestling, boxing and other contests, indicating the stadium’s use for sports, religious festivals and imperial celebrations.

Syedra is an ancient city near the Alanya district of Antalya province.

Sunken Ptolemaic harbor near Alexandria revives hunt for Cleopatra's lost tomb

“After 2,000 years, no one has ever been there. We are the first,” said archaeologist Kathleen Martinez, citing the harbor’s link to Taposiris Magna as a decisive clue.

Near Alexandria, archaeologists have discovered the remains of a sunken harbor.

Turkish dig shows how people used daily objects in mysterious 5,000-year-old ceremonies

Head archeologist says face-carved pottery from Konya Plain served ritual purposes rather than daily cooking or storage functions.

Illustration: the neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük in Konya.

Bacchus or theater mask? Rare 1,900-year-old Roman find in the Netherlands

Alongside an oil lamp were four ceramic plates, two jugs, a cup, a glass bowl and a bronze bowl, and archaeologists debate its meaning.

The lamp, after cleaning.

Scientists found a 3.5-meter dolphin fossil in a desert that was once an ancient ocean

The fossil, discovered in July, measures three and a half meters and will undergo exhaustive analysis before public display.

Whale fossils in the Ocucaje desert, Peru.

Why this small dinosaur from Mongolia is rewriting the story of dome-headed evolution

Dated to about 108 million years ago, the fossil preserves roughly 90 percent of the skeleton, including the first pachycephalosaur hand and stomach stones.

Artist illustration of Z. rinpoche.