Ancient Minoan Board Game Discovered at Knossos Palace in Crete

Sunday, 31 May 2026/Source: Greek Reporter/1 min read

Archaeologists have identified a remarkable board game artifact from the ancient palace of Knossos, near Heraklion in northern Crete. Known as the Knossos Game Board or Zatrikion, this discovery reveals that Minoan civilization, which flourished around 2000 to 1400 BCE, valued leisure and strategic play alongside its more celebrated achievements in art and architecture. The game is considered one of the earliest known board games in the Greek world, offering insight into daily life and social customs at Knossos. Visitors to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, where Minoan artifacts are displayed, can explore the broader context of this civilization. The Palace of Knossos itself is open to visitors and is located approximately 5 kilometers south of Heraklion city center, reachable by local bus or taxi.