Margo Gramiak

The relationship between sports history and archaeology is an interesting one, in that the two disciplines aid each other in different ways. Not only can archaeological practices better our understanding of ancient sports, but ancient sports can help us better understand ancient societies and their structures as a whole. 

Archaeological practices are important for sports historians in their understanding of the games and competitions they’re studying. Being able to actually see and touch artifacts that are relevant to their studies helps tremendously in their comprehension of the sport they’re working with. In most cases, archaeology reveals the existence of the ancient sport in the first place. Needless to say, this is crucial in sports history research. 

Handball, a game played in Ancient Egypt, serves as a great example of these concepts. Archaeological research allows us to understand the transformation of ancient handball, to the modern version that is still played today. Our knowledge of handball’s extensive history was prompted by the discovery of drawings in tombs of Saqqara, Egypt, that date back 5,000 years (Figure 1) (Morgan 2018). The drawings depict four girls throwing balls towards each other (Morgan 2018). These renderings allowed researchers to pinpoint the beginning of the sport. Additional discoveries of other drawings and artifacts further revealed information about the game, and how it’s been played throughout the years (Shereed 2020). The sport’s current day popularity also has helped to fill in gaps that archaeologists were unable to through just artifact analysis. A combination of archaeological research and knowledge passing has helped to reveal handball’s original rules. This is a great example of how archaeological research serves as an important tool in sports history.

Ancient sports are also important for archaeologists to better understand the societies they are studying. Oftentimes, the exploration of pastimes and activities is overlooked in the investigation of past societies. We focus on more basic aspects like where they lived, how they lived, what they ate, etc. Of course these are all important elements in any society, but why neglect the question of, “how did they have fun?” By exploring this question, so much can be revealed about a society and its dynamics. 

Again, take handball in Ancient Egypt for example. Archaeological data has revealed that sports in Ancient Egypt, including handball, were associated with social hierarchies (Shereed 2020). For example, evidence shows that Egyptian leaders and statesmen were the biggest fans of athletic contests, and even provided the equipment for games and events (Mark 2017). There is also evidence indicating that physical fitness and ability played a role in social status (Figure 2) (Houston Museum of Natural Science 2017). Sports were even played at celebrations like the king’s coronation, parties following military victories, religious ceremonies, and festivals (Mark 2017). Evidence of this use is prevalent in artwork (Mark 2017). Understanding the involvement of sports in Ancient Egyptian society reveals dynamics that otherwise would potentially be missed.

Even if they seem to be just “silly games,” it’s important not to neglect the significance of sports in a historical and archaeological context.  

Additional Resources: 

Information about ancient sports:

https://www.oldest.org/sports/sports/

Evolution and history of sports:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/evolution-sports-from-ancient-origins-modern-day-alimo-msc

Works Cited:

Shereef, El Doaa, “Ancient Egyptian Sports and Fundamental Principles of Olympics,” Academia.edu. 2020. https://www.academia.edu/44577685/Ancient_Egyptian_Sports_and_Fundamental_Principles_of_Olympics 

Morgan, Kori, “Sports Played in Ancient Egypt,” TheClassroom.com. 2018. https://www.theclassroom.com/sports-played-ancient-egypt-18187.html 

Mark, Joshua, “Games, Sports & Recreation in Ancient Egypt,” WorldHistory,org. April 11, 2017. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1036/games-sports–recreation-in-ancient-egypt/ 

Greiner, Thomas, “How Kids Had Fun in Ancient Egypt,” NileScribes.org. March 10, 2022. https://nilescribes.org/2022/03/10/how-kids-had-fun-in-ancient-egypt/ 

Houston Museum of Natural Science, “Pharaonic Fitness Test,” Hmns.org. May 19, 2017. https://blog.hmns.org/2017/05/pharaonic-fitness-test/ 

Margo Gramiak

Most people are familiar with the concept that in a cross section of a tree, one ring is equivalent to one year of the tree’s life. What most people don’t know is how much more each tree ring can tell us. 

Beyond just age, each individual tree ring holds knowledge of past climate. Because one year is represented by one ring, the condition of each ring can indicate what the climate was like at the specific time of its formation (Neural Academy 2018). Exploring this concept is a form of dendrochronology, which directly applies to paleoclimatology, the study of past climates (Neural Academy 2018). Our climate records only go back 150 years, and the practice of dendrochronology allows us to fill in gaps prior to what’s recorded (Neural Academy 2018). From an archeological standpoint, this is a great tool to better understand the past weather conditions, and to accurately date wooden structures and artifacts. 

Each year, a tree grows a new cambium layer (Stoller-Conrad 2017). The growth rate of this layer depends on several factors. Seasonal progression can be determined, as an increase in cell wall thickness, and a decrease in cell size is evident as the seasons advance (Neural Academy 2018). This is based on water availability, temperature, and how these factors fluctuate. Other changes in climate can also be identified based on markings found in the layers. For example, scarring from forest fires is evident in cross-sectioning (Figure 1) (Stoller-Conrad 2017).

Ideal climate leads to higher growth rates (Neural Academy 2018). This is key in how historical atmospheric conditions can be determined. Yearly conditions are reflected in the size of tree rings (Figure 1) (Neural Academy 2018). Ideal conditions produce wider rings, and vice versa. Overlapping and comparing data from large groups of trees from the same area allows us to form a complete record of the climate (Alpecole 2011). This is referred to as the cross dating method (Figure 2). As more and more samples from different time periods and places are collected, the database broadens, and the climate timeline continues to become more accurate and extensive (Alpecole 2011).

Dendrochronology is commonly utilized in New York City’s historic districts, as wood was significant in the construction of the original parts of the city (Duncombe 2023). Wood found in these buildings holds important climate knowledge. For this reason, preservation and sampling of these historic buildings is crucial. 

One example is the case of sample collection at a historic site in Manhattan, Terminal Warehouse, in 2019 (Figure 3) (Duncombe 2023).

Based on collected samples, researchers were able to identify that the wood collected was longleaf pine (Duncombe 2023). They measured the rings, recorded their widths (Duncombe 2023), and compared the recorded sequence of numbers to others in the database. It was discovered that most of the timbers found in Terminal Warehouse were harvested in the late 1800s, and were likely from western and central Georgia, as well as eastern Alabama (Duncombe 2023). It was also concluded that they were likely grown on dry, mountainous slopes. Researchers went even deeper using additional historical context, and concluded that the majority of the lumber was most likely from Sample Lumber Company, in Hollins, Alabama (Duncombe 2023). From here, it was transported to a port in Savannah, Georgia by railroad, before making its way up the Hudson River on a schooner (Duncombe 2023).

This is just one of many examples of the use of dendrochronology in an archaeological context. The process, though seemingly so simple, is incredibly impressive and important. It’s exciting to consider what future research and dendrochronology, specifically tree ring dating, could reveal.

Additional Resources

More about general dendrochronology: https://www.environmentalscience.org/dendrochronology-tree-rings-tell-us

More about dendrochronology in New York City:  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/timber-salvaged-from-new-york-city-buildings-reveals-ancient-climate

Works Cited

Alpecole, “Dendrochronology,” Geo.org. August 29, 2011. https://www.geo.uzh.ch/microsite/alpecole/static/course/lessons/28/28c.htm

Duncombe, Jenessa, “Finding Climate History in the Rafters of New York City Buildings,” EOS.org. February 22, 2023. https://eos.org/features/finding-climate-history-in-the-rafters-of-new-york-city-buildings 

Neural Academy. “Dendrochronology (Tree Ring Dating),” 3:24. May 19, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vfg4GieRTc

Stoller-Conrad, “Tree rings provide snapshots of Earth’s past climate,” Climate.nasa.gov. January 25, 2017. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2540/tree-rings-provide-snapshots-of-earths-past-climate/

Terminal Warehouse Staff, “Terminal Warehouse,” Terminalwarehouse.nyc. July 9, 2024. https://terminalwarehouse.nyc/