World's first bowling alley discovered
Egypt, Local, 1/29/2004

The Italian team excavating at Madi city in Fayyoum has unearthed an open structure dating back to the Ptolemaic age.

The floor is composed of a single large block of limestone with a groove 10 cm deep and 20 cm wide. In the middle there is a 12 cm-square hole.

The team found two balls of polished limestone, one of which fits the groove and the other the square hole. The structure is like no other found in the ancient world.

After study it was proposed that it might be a first attempt at the practice of bowling.

The pre-sumed bowling track was found next to the remains of a number of houses each made up of two rooms with a large hall.

The team has recently found papyri scrolls dating back to the Ptolemaic period, pottery shards, glass utensils, copper tools and some pieces of faience in the area.

The archaeological site of Medinet Madi is one of the most complete. The oldest of its monuments is a 12th Dynasty temple dedicated to the harvest goddess Renenutet and the crocodile-god Sobek.

The temple is magnificently decorated with reliefs showing the kings of the 12th Dynasty worshipping the gods.

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