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The earliest evidence of bowling was found in the 1930’s when a British anthropologist, Flinders Petrie, unearthed several objects in an Egyptian grave. The objects had resemblance to modern bowling instruments.
Around 300 AD, German peasants carried a wooden stick for protection called a Kegel. The kegel became an important symbol in religion ceremonies as well. To seek forgiveness of sins, the peasant would stand up his kegel and try to knock it down by rolling stones at it. The religious ceremony soon became a popular recreation amongst the peasants and spread rapidly throughout Europe. By the 1300’s, it was common for the wealthy Europeans to have bowling areas placed in their yards.
In 1366, the sport of ninepin bowling was so popular amongst the English soldiers, that Edward III passed a law outlawing play by his soldiers because it was distracting them from their training exercises. In 1455, the first indoor bowling center was built in London, England. King Charles of England, set up a standard set of rules of bowling in 1670.
With the colonization of America, the game succeeded as a pleasurable pastime for the colonist. In 1611, Captain James Smith outlawed the game in Jamestown, Virginia after he found the colonist starving but still bowling. By 1623, the Dutch colonists were enjoying ninepin bowling in New York.
Along with the popularity came a bad reputation for the sport during the 1870’s in Connecticut. The sport had become known as a betting recreation and all ninepin bowling was outlawed in the state. It was not long until the alley managers created tenpin bowling. Although ninepin bowling was outlawed, the addition of a tenth pin created a legal sport.
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