Game Fit for a King

The Gadsden Times (Jennifer Restauri)

During the past several months, visitors to the Gadsden Museum of Art & History have toured the exhibit “Howard Carter Expedition to the Discovery of Tutankhamen’s Tomb.”

Many visitors have said their favorite part of the exhibit is the opportunity to play what could be the world’s oldest board game. The game is Senet, and four game sets were found in Tutankhamen’s tomb.

Volunteer Catherine Hawkins had the idea to have it appear as an interactive part of the museum’s exhibit.

Hawkins began volunteering at the museum in April 2007, assisting with the technology upgrades the museum was undergoing. At this time, the museum was preparing for the Tutankhamen exhibit, and Hawkins conducted research that was used in the construction of the exhibit’s narrative.

While researching, Hawkins stumbled on a game she found interesting. Hawkins began to construct her own Senet board, and while the process took weeks, it was well worthwhile, she said. After teaching her great-nephews to play the board game, she brought her idea to the museum, and it was greeted with enthusiasm.