HANDMADE ANCIENT GAMES

Antiquity’s  Games

Archaeological reconstruction

Games in wood and leather

The project  “LUDUS IN TABULA”

My name is Monica Silvestri, I received my Master’s Degree in Conservation of Cultural Heritage with specialism in archaeology at the University of Tuscia in Viterbo. I live in Umbria and work as archaeologist and educational trainer.

Since many years I am doing a research project concerning the rules and habits in the environment of ancient games, unearthing information among shelves of libraries and bookstores, carefully watching both in the display cases of the more important European museums as in those of the small local ones; viewing evidences related to the games in the archaeological warehouses, and doing reconnaissance trips into archaeological sites. All that for one purpose: to play and let to play as they did in the antiquity. Thanks to the passion for the board games and the work of archaeologist is born the project: “LUDUS IN TABULA!” to raise knowledge of the various board games in the ancient Mediterranean area that were lost in time. This is a different way to travel back in the time and to continue to let know those games that are part of our tradition and should not be forgotten.

When I started my study of the ancient board games, I started almost immediately to recreate they as well in accordance with the techniques of experimental archa-eology, and trying to use the same original materials, I put into practice the pieces of information acquired from my sources. There is no one store that sells all these games that I studied and took out from the past, so, inevitably, I had to rebuild they in order to be able to play and see if the hypothesized rules would work or not. Fortunately I have good manual skills and over time I learned many craft tricks such how to use a chisel, to cut the wood, to paint, etc.

My degree was a crucial prerequisite to do this research: I might otherwise not have access to a variety of sources in Latin and Ancient Greek and recognize traces leaved on the stones of the monuments. I need to understand the social mechanisms behind the game environment and to know the raw materials used in the different eras. As regards the rules, they are based on previous studies and on ancient sources too, whether written or painted, sculpted or engraved.

I promote myself the games when I take part in the many events related to the world of the game and I set up a toy library thanks to the historical reconstructions of the games, so I let the public to use they. I organize a workshop on the history of the games in the antiquity.

Antiquity’s  Games 

Archaeological reconstruction

Games in wood and leather

The games are developed in cooperation with the craftsman Gualtiero Tumolo that deals with artisan techniques since 1998 first as apprentice in a restoration workshop of ancient keyboard instrument in the Carnia (province of Udine). From 2005 to 2010 he studied at the formerly National Institute of Arts “A. Bertoni” in Saluzzo and graduated in restoration of wood and polychrome woods. After graduation he has achieved a second qualification in jewellery-making in the same art school.

Over time he has worked in various laboratories as collaborator or titular cultivating passion and ability in various
arts and crafts field thus acquiring specific skills. Currently he has a fully equipped workshop who he make  crafts and artworks for himself and commissioned as well.