These cookies are absolutely essential for our website to function properly.
We use Google Analytics to measure how you use the website so we can improve it based on user needs.
These cookies may be set by third party websites and do things like measure how you view YouTube videos.
Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales
Gameboard, rectangular shape based on Royal Game of Ur.
The original object was excavated from the Royal Cemetery in Ur in Iraq in c.1928 by Sir Leonard Woolley and is now held in the British Museum – Registration number 1928,1009.37. It was produced around 2600BC-2400BC. While there are interpretations there is still no clear way to play the game.
In 2025 silversmith Will Romeril recreated the gameboard with 20 squares containing designs and information relating to facts and statistics found in government reports, service provider and economic data websites. Reflecting that the infrastructure of modern Britain is a game we don’t know how to play. Suitably titled: Royal Game of Urm...?
Both the artefact in the British Museum and this artwork contains 18 pieces - 1 gameboard, 3 tetrahedral dice, and 14 player tokens.
