Ancient Egypt Modular Game Set: Senet, Aseb, Ur

The Artifact Console: A Modular Ancient Tabletop System

Step back in time and experience the world’s oldest board games exactly as they were meant to be played. The Artifact Console is a fully 3D-printable, modular tabletop gaming system that brings the ancient past into the modern era.

Rather than printing individual bulky boards, this system acts like a retro video game console. It features a master base, a built-in drawer for components, and incredibly sleek, interchangeable "game cartridges." Simply slide your chosen game plate into the universal dock, and you are ready to play. When game night is over, the universal dock transforms into a locking lid for the carrying case, holding all of your extra boards securely for travel.

🎲 The Games of Antiquity

This collection features three of the most famous games from the ancient world, each faithfully recreated with mathematically precise grids and deep-cut hieroglyphs.

• The Royal Game of Ur (c. 2600 BCE): Hailing from ancient Mesopotamia, this is one of the oldest known board games in human history. It is a brilliant, highly aggressive race game where players use tetrahedral dice to navigate their pieces along a shared, chaotic path.
  • Gameplay & Rules: Tom Scott vs. Irving Finkel (British Museum) — This is the definitive video that sparked the modern revival of the game.
  • BoardGameGeek: Royal Game of Ur
• Senet (c. 3100 BCE): The game of the Pharaohs. Senet is not just a game, but a representation of the soul's journey through the Egyptian underworld. Players cast casting sticks to move their pieces, navigating a board filled with safe havens and dangerous traps to successfully pass into the afterlife.
  • Gameplay & Rules: Senet: How to Play (Part 1 of 2) — A clear, visual breakdown of the rules for this complex journey through the afterlife.
  • BoardGameGeek: Senet
• Aseb / The Game of 20 Squares (c. 1500 BCE): As the Royal Game of Ur traveled to Egypt, it evolved. Aseb shares DNA with Ur but features a streamlined, high-stakes sprint to the finish line down a single, shared central track. This system includes two distinct variations of the Aseb board layout.
  • Gameplay & Rules: The Game of 20 Squares (Cyningstan) — An excellent, concise summary of the rules which closely mirror the mechanics of the Royal Game of Ur.
  • BoardGameGeek: Aseb

🪨 The Hieroglyphs & Symbology

The boards aren't just grids; they are deeply engraved with historically significant symbols that dictate the rules of the games:

The Senet Traps & Havens:

• The Ankh (House of Rebirth): The symbol of life, acting as the starting point for pieces returning from the water trap.
• The Nefer (House of Beauty): A safe haven symbolizing goodness and beauty. Everyone must pass through this space.
• The Water (House of Water): Three jagged waves representing the perilous Nile; land here, and your piece drowns and is sent backward.
• The Three Dots (House of the Three Truths): A sanctuary space requiring a specific roll to exit.
• Two Seated Figures (House of the Re-Atum): Representing the patron gods of the game, judging the pieces before they can leave the board.
• The Eye (House of Horus): The final space of protection before the soul successfully exits the board.

The Aseb Path:

• The Ankh: Marking the starting corners of life.
• The Scarab: Placed at the pivotal entry to the bridge, symbolizing transformation and rebirth as pieces enter the combat zone.
• The Djed: The pillar of stability, offering a crucial anchor point late in the game.
• The Amenta: The symbol of the horizon and the underworld, marking the ultimate goal at the end of the track.

The Ur Rosettes:

• The 8-Pointed Star: Universally recognized in Ur as a safe zone and a "roll again" multiplier.

🛠️ The Modular System Architecture

• The Base Chassis: A sturdy under-frame that houses the playing deck.
• The Component Drawer: A simple, slide-out friction drawer built perfectly into the base to hold all your dice and player tokens.
• The Universal Dock (Lid): Features a recessed tray that securely holds your active 2.4mm game board cartridge.
• The Storage Vault: A fully enclosed travel slipcase designed to hold three game cartridges flawlessly. The Universal Dock slides over the top via dovetail joints to lock the vault shut.

Get your binary tetrahedral dice here - https://makerworld.com/en/models/2797656-binary-tetrahedral-dice#profileId-3111866

Get your stick dice here - https://makerworld.com/en/models/2770781-ancient-egyptian-board-game-mehen#profileId-3077730

🚀 Coming Soon (In Development)

This is a living, evolving system! Keep an eye out for these upcoming updates and profiles:

• AMS Flush-Plates: Flat, non-inlaid versions of all four boards optimized for Bambu AMS.
• Deluxe Game Pieces: Highly detailed, sculpted Egyptian figurines and totems to replace the standard player discs.
• Upgraded Hardware: An engineered locking drawer option for even more secure travel.