The name derives from “chackstones”—stones to be tossed. The knuckle, wrist, or ankle bones (astragals) of goats, sheep, or other animals also have been used in play. Such objects have been found in prehistoric caves in Kiev, Ukraine, and pictures of the game are depicted on jars from ancient Greece.
Excerpt from the entry: Jacks, The Encyclopaedia Britannica
spanishwoods 
Some things are forever. I love the photo.
LikeLike
yes, and thank you 🙂
LikeLike
I played knuckle bones or 5 stones as a girl in London. We used 5 square chalk lumps like dice. Originally pigs knuckles were used.
LikeLike
Interesting…yes, slightly macabre but also cool
LikeLike
Wow! Who knew this game was so old? Lovely photo, too.
LikeLike
thank you Dale 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure!
LikeLike
That goes way back! Thanks for this informative post.
LikeLike
Ancient Greeks! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never was good at this game, hehe! 😉 Nice nostalgic photo, Sylvia.
LikeLike
thanks Eliza 🙂 I wasn’t very good either, but it did keep my kids entertained for long stretches of time
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know this, amazing! Great photo, Sylvia. ❤️
LikeLike
thank you John 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, Sylvia. ☺️
LikeLike
😳, who knew 🤭. I love info like that
LikeLike
me too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here in South Africa the knuckle-bones are called “dolosse” and feature prominently in traditional African rituals of divination.
LikeLike
Really?? How fascinating. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The jacks we played with were real bone and were painted. Hand-me-downs from older siblings who were country kids and made them as they has access to animal bits.
LikeLike
that is very interesting Brian…I’m surprised by how many folks can remember playing this game with bones
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess it’s an age thing
LikeLike
Hmmm, I don’t know maybe. Could be a locality thing too. Interesting nonetheless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never played Jacks as a kid. It was one of those games then that was more for girls than boys when I was a child, Sylvia. I don’t know if that is still true. I can see its contribution to hand eye coordination. My first thought was divination instead of games when you mentioned bones. Movies like Willow and Star Dust featured it. “Throw the bones!” 🙂 –Curt
LikeLike
Yes, I agree that it seems more of a “girl” thing. It was that way in my day and then again 30 years later when I was raising my kids. I wonder now if that has anything to do with the “divination” aspect of this ancient game (of which I knew nothing about until I did some research). I don’t know. I have found everyone’s comments most interesting and it’s added to my fascination.
LikeLike
Always fun to learn new things, Sylvia. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person