A Visual History of Sports

The Atlantic
The Atlantic
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Published 2018-02-09
The first recorded sport in history was spear throwing, which arose in 70,000 BC out of a need for ancient hunters to practice their skills. Bowling was the first known ball game, appearing in Egypt in 3,200 BC; later, there was Pitz, played by the ancient Maya in 2,500 BC, followed by Episkyros, known as “common ball” to Greeks living in 8th century BC.

Long before the Olympics, there were the Tailteann Games, which the ancient Irish held around 1,800 BC. At the first recorded Olympic Games in 760 BC, there was only one event: a footrace.

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All Comments (21)
  • @nocturnalwolf7559
    It's amazing that the Egyptians and the Chinese invented a lot of the stuff.
  • @chiknnoodl8195
    Some of these look way cooler than modern day sports. Also, I’m sure running was used as a sport long before spear throwing
  • @katiehickey4539
    I do wish I had some international and universal uniforms and equipment for ancient, medieval, historical, and modern Recess Toys and Games and Gym Sports right here and right now.
  • @wally9540
    Hydroflying is literally the closest thing we have to jetpack riding
  • @hippotripo6145
    People in 3rd century BC when they need to climb out of a hole: I guess I’ll die
  • @ijustrobabank6895
    In the philiphines jianzi was called tak yan im a filpino kid our neighbor played that i didnt know it was a sport i think its just a game but i liked it
  • @gmoney5947
    Some of these probably could have been created on the same day....but 8,000 years apart, damn!
  • @Felled-angel
    There is no doubt in my mind that running is the oldest sport in the world, and logic tells me that no need for a written history although one would be welcome, you see running is a natural behaviour and because so much depends on the speed of a hunter or running from predators it just makes perfect sense that they would challenge each other and mabey it was a way to let females see that they would make good providers for them just a guess of course but I do believe running is the oldest sport
  • @somecuriosities
    Anyone here because they saw the Lion Rampant on the Knight's shield and wondered if there was going to be some quirky surprise connection to the Scottish crown?
  • @NadellaYT
    Hey what about drone racing and car racing, football and soccer? I know you guys can't get everything but really?
  • @Johndoe-pt8pq
    1:14 knight 1:srsly dude knight 2:ITS THE POINT OF THE GAME OKAY U DIDNT DIE OR ANYTHING knight 1:*dies*
  • @gmoney5947
    Wait, I thought Vince McMahon invented wrestling 🤔