Special Display
September 18, 2011 through 2012
Each year, the Penn Provost’s office sponsors a series of events around a theme chosen by faculty, staff and students. The 2011-2012 academic year is the Year of Games. In conjunction with the Penn reading Project, departments across the university will launch an exploration of games in all their manifestations. Programming includes interdisciplinary conferences, symposia, exhibits, performances and more, all produced on Penn’s campus by our schools, departments, resource centers, and partners.
To coincide with the Penn’s 2011-2012 academic theme, Penn Museum presents a “Year of Games” display. Highlighting objects from the Museum’s collection, the installation features games of skill and games of chance. The two small cases display some examples of game pieces from the early 19th century, sporting equipment, and cards. Visitors to the museum can also try their hand at ancient games, with recreated board games available to borrow in the Pepper Mill Cafe.
Presented in the Trescher Entrance Atrium
This years Penn Reading Project is Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World by Jane McGonigal. In Reality Is Broken, Dr. McGonigal focuses on the major role that video and computer games play in our lives. By her count, more than 174 million young Americans are regular gamers, and the average young person will spend 10,000 hours playing by age 21.
Find out more about the Penn Reading Project and the Year of Games.
These ancient games may seem foreign at first, but you may find them more familiar than you think. Each was the inspiration for a modern board game that you may already know and love. You can download a printable version of any game below.
(All game boards are designed to be printed out on legal-size paper.)
 Paramapada Sopaanam inspired Chutes and Ladders |
 The Royal Game of the Goose inspired Candy Land |
 Pachisi inspired Sorry!, Parcheesi, and Ludo |
 Quirkat inspired checkers |
 Halatafl inspired Peg Solitaire |
 Hnefatafl inspired Breakthru! and Thud |
Watch the Domino Tumble set up by the Super Domino Brothers in the Chinese Rotunda:
Watch a video about the Royal Game of the Goose and the Historic Games collection at the Penn Museum:
The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games
This website was created for the 2004 Olympics based on research by Dr. David Romano. Learn about the politics, origins, commercialism, and the role of women in ancient athletics.
