Both archaeological finds and written sources demonstrate that various types of games and toys occupied a respected place in the leisure culture of adults and children in the ancient world. Both children and adults enjoyed games and amused themselves with sport competitions, games with pets, dance, singing, and playing various musical instruments. Children's toys included dolls (which differed in shape from fertility goddesses), everyday miniature objects, miniatures of animals, wheeled toys, and more. Board games were among the earliest and most common in the ancient world. Testifying to there wide distribution are game boards, stone counters, dice, game tokens, and other objects that served as game pieces, such as astragals, other bones, and sticks, which have been found in archaeological excavations throughout the ancient Near East. It should be noted that it is not always possible to determine with certainty whether a certain object served as a toy or ritual accessory, practical or otherwise. 1

2 3

1.  Game board, limestone, with dice made of fish bones, Atlit, Medieval period      courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority  2.  Pulled toy in shape of a clay fowl, from a grave at Mghar al-Sharif (Sharon plain)      1st-5th centuries CE, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority 3.  Clay model of a wagon, Cyprus, Late Canaanite (Bronze) Age

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