The Ancient Origins of Modern Board Games

NPR has a story on the Ancient Origins of Modern Board Games, or rather an exhibit on the topic currently on display at the Smithsonian, entitled Asian Games: The Art of Contest. Apparently, abstract games like Parcheesi and juvenile games like Chutes and Ladders came from much earlier Asian versions of games that held more than simple entertainment value. (Indeed, they even performed the role of guides to spiritual and bureaucratic success.)