Early published editions of the Sagas relied upon wildly disparate translations of medieval Icelandic texts, which also confused the matter. Indeed, until the early 20th century, few scholars differentiated hnefatafl from other contemporary board games. That archaeologists and game historians can confidently make such claims is a testimony to more than 100 years of painstaking research. вЂњIts presence in these burials suggests it was an aspect of everyday life that was desirable to see continued,вЂќ he says, as well as вЂњa significant element that helped define the status of the deceased.вЂќ This material, he says, indicates the game was much more than a frivolous way to kill time between raids. The archaeologist Mark Hall recently chronicled the contents of 36 burials containing such pieces in a 2016 article for The European Journal of Archaeology. These pieces range from ordinary discs to ornate figurines and are usually uniform in shape and size, save for one prominent king piece, known as the hnefi. Dating from the 7th to the 11th centuries, most of it consists of checker-like pieces constructed from glass, whale bone, or amber. Over the past 150 years, excavators have unearthed large quantities of gaming material from Viking boat burials. Once a relative mystery to researchers, archaeologists now believe it held immense symbolic and religious significance. Ubiquitous among Nordic settlements during the early Middle Ages, the game was played on a checkered wooden tablet similar to the modern-day chess board. HeidrekвЂ™s reference, here, is one of several in the Icelandic sagas to an ancient board game known as hnefatafl (pronounced вЂњneffa-tafelвЂќ). вЂњThis is the game of hnefatafl,вЂќ he says, вЂњthe darker ones guard the king, but the white ones attack.вЂќ

вЂњWhat women are they,вЂќ asks Odin as Gestumblindi, вЂњwarring together before their defenseless king day after day the dark guard him, but the fair go forth to attack?вЂќ For centuries, HeidrekвЂ™s answer to this riddle has fascinated archaeologists and historians alike. The storyвЂ™s subsequent riddles illustrate countless facets of life during the Viking Age-most notably riddle 13, which provides rare insight into an intriguing Nordic pastime. Rather than submit himself to the judgment of HeidrekвЂ™s council, the disguised god convinces the king to settle the matter through a game of wits. Seemingly content with GestumblindiвЂ™s subsequent sacrifice, Odin agrees to transform himself into a doppelgГ¤nger and take the manвЂ™s place at court. Fearing execution, the latter resorts to desperate measures: He seeks help from Odin, the most powerful and notoriously capricious Viking god. The contest begins in the sagaвЂ™s closing chapters when Heidrek, King of the Goths, summons to court his enemy, Gestumblindi. TolkienвЂ™s The Hobbit, a fateful contest of riddles.

Regarded as a key influence on classic early-20th century works in the genre, the 13th-century tale features dwarves, a tragic curse, a magical sword, and, perhaps most recognizable of all to fans of J.R.R. The Icelandic saga HervГ¶r and Heidrek abounds with tropes instantly familiar to modern fantasy fans. Hnefatafl board game pieces, Christer Г…hlin / Swedish History Museum / CC BY 2.5 SE.

Ancient viking games