FOLDER 2 Games and sports have figured in many cultures. Wrestling may have been the most widespread of ancient sports. Africa, India, Greece, and Japan all developed their own forms of wrestling, Paintings of wrestlers more than 15,000 years old have been found in caves. Every Mayan city had a ball court. It was often built beside a temple. The game played on these courts may have been a little bt like a combination of basketball, soccer, and volleyball. it may have been played by individuals or teams. Players tried to put a ball through a ring that was suspended high on the side of a wall. Courts have been found far outside the Mayan lands, from Arizona to Paraguay. The Celts of Scotland developed sports as training for war. Today the Scots honor their history with the Highland Games. They include foot races, archery, the hammer throw, and dancing Board games, too, have a long history. Some have been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptian kings. The game of chess originated in India or Persia around a.o. 600. Soon it was being played in France, North Africa, and China. (aE ‘© The Continental Press nc, DUPLICATING THIS MATERIAL IS ILLEGAL. UNIT 2READING: Academic Social Studies aa Cultural Perspectives 4. Look at this picture of an ancient game. From which culture is this game? @® This game is from ancient China @®) This game is from the Celts of Scotland. © This game is from the Maya culture, ®) This game is from ancient Japan. POT UMaine | F ‘@ The Continental Press Inc. DUPLICATING THIS MATERIAL IS ILLEGAL,READING: Academic Social Studies Cultural Perspectives 2. Which game seems to be the oldest and most widespread? @® The ball court Chess © wrestling © Archery 3. How was the Celtic “hammer” probably once used? @® _ttwas used to hit a ball. It was used as a musical instrument. © twas used as a weapon. It was used to build houses. UNIT 2 Rea ‘© The Continental Press, nc. DUPLICATING THIS MATERIAL IS ILLEGAL. CaeREADING: Academic Social Studies 8A) Cultural Perspectives 4. From reading the selection, what conclusion can you draw about games and sports? @® Games and sports are important to many cultures. More people play board games now than in ancient times. © The Maya had the most interesting games and sports. Sports and games were more important to the Celts than to other cultures. aes ‘© The Continental Press lc. DUPLICATING THIS MATERIAL IS ILLEGAL. Sree