What Kinds of Sports Were Played With Rocks?

Humanity's desire to compete in sports goes back millennia. Before the invention of modern sporting equipment, ancient athletes used found objects such as rocks and sticks to compete against each other in games of skill and strength, lifting giant rocks in both competition and in training. While the modern use of synthetic materials have advanced balls and discs, some forms of simple rock are still used in certain sports.

  1. Curling

    • Curling's birth occurred in the 16th century in Scotland when men slid odd-shaped rocks called "loafies" on the frozen lochs and marshes. From the primitive beginnings, the game evolved, and is now played indoors on ice rinks with polished granite rocks, which are slid toward brightly colored houses. Players use brushes to help guide the rock. Curling became an Olympic medal sport in 1998. The United States boasts 15,000 curlers and 135 clubs, as of 2011.

    Stone Skipping

    • If you've ever picked up a rock and tried to skip it along a body of water, you've participated in the sport that dates back to 1583. Stone skipping competitions are held across the globe. The world record of 51 skips took place in 2007, shattering the old record of 40. The record-breaking skip traveled 250 feet.

    Discus

    • Around 708 B.C., the Greeks introduced the sport of discus to the Olympics. Competitors hurled flat discs made of lead, bronze or stone. The weights of the discs varied from 2 to 6 kg, depending on the age of the men. Competitors stood on pedestals, flinging the discs for distance. In 1954, the modern concrete throwing circle was introduced. Techniques included the single and double-handed throw. Styles evolved through the Nordic swinging throw to the current style, introduced by Clarence Houser in 1926, where competitors turn and skip before release.

    Chungke

    • North American Indians used to play a game called chungke in which two players compete, trying to throw their spears or poles at a rolling discoidal stone. The player landing the spear closest to the stone when it landed was the victor and earned the right to roll the stone next. Players gambled on the game, some risking everything, including weapons.