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Did you know cannon shooting was once a sport? Discover 10 extinct games

Image: Hendrick Avercamp, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

There was a time when there were countless sports that enjoyed great popularity but are now extinct. Some of them are the ancestors of modern sports. Others had to be banned because they involved high levels of violence. From the ancient Greeks to the Middle Ages and pre-Columbian civilizations, in this article, we’ll explore 10 sports that no longer exist but that you will surely find super interesting. Read on to discover more!

Image: Kleophrades painter / Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The ancient Greeks were the creators of the Olympic Games, so it is unsurprising that they also invented many games and sports. Pankration was an ancient Greek wrestling match with a twist: there were no rules and contenders played completely naked. The word pankration means "all of power".

Pankration is considered the historical antecedent of contemporary mixed martial arts. According to the myth, it was Theseus who invented it during his confrontation with the Minotaur in the labyrinth and who subsequently transmitted it to mankind. Pankration combined boxing and wrestling techniques. Kicks and punches to the face were allowed, and wrenches and grapples were used to immobilize the opponent, reduce him to the ground, and force him to surrender.

Image: Unknown authorUnknown author illustrator (based on a sketch by M.J.L. de Condé), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

La soule à la crosse was a popular game played by peasants in Normandy, Brittany, and Picardy from the Middle Ages through the 19th centuries. It was practiced during village festivals and the rules were simple: Two teams of up to 500 participants each had to get a large ball into the opponent's net or onto their side. The game could last for several days, especially since the goals could be separated by miles.

La soule à la crosse means "the hit with a stick". It was a game very similar to hurling, Irish Gaelic football, and is a sort of precursor of other modern sports such as American and Australian football, and Canadian Lacrosse. Soule was such a violent sport that ecclesiastics called it "this fatal sport" and on numerous occasions, it was banned.

Image: Henry VL

This extraordinary ceremonial ball game was the most important in the ancient Mayan world. Ōllamalīztli means "to play in a ritual ball game" in the Nahuatl language. In English, it is known as Pok Ta Pok, a term coined in 1932 by Danish archaeologist Frans Blom who probably adapted it from the word puctal-puctal which means "to bend down several times".

The rectangular playing field was delimited on its sides by two parallel high walls holding 20 ft. high stone rings through which the ball had to pass. The objective of the game was to keep the ball permanently in motion while scoring points against the other team. Sounds familiar?

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Club swinging originated in India and was an exercise practiced by soldiers to develop strength and mobility. The British Army imported it to the Western world, becoming popular in the Victorian era among men and women alike. There were even gyms set up especially for this sport.

Club swinging competitions were held at the 1904 and 1932 Summer Olympics. Participants held a bowling pin-like club in each hand and spun them in a complicated maneuvering routine, a strange mixture of juggling and rhythmic gymnastics. The sport remained popular in America until the 1950s. The last U.S. championship took place in 1953.

Image: Voderf, graveur, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jeu de Paume is an ancestor of racquet sports invented in France. It was a kind of indoor tennis very popular in the 18th century. In Italy it was known as Giocco della palla with similar rules but with subtle differences. Jeu de paume literally means "game of palm", as it was initially played with bare hands.

The game consisted of returning a ball over a net, as players do in modern tennis. The way of counting points (15, 30, 40, and game) is the same used in tennis to this day. Jeu de Paume was one of the disciplines in competition at the 1908 Olympic Games. An American, Jay Gould II, won the gold medal.

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Jousting was a popular sport among the Anglo-Norman knighthood in which they could test their military skills. It arose in the Middle Ages and continued to be practiced well into the 16th century. The term jousting comes from the Old French word joster, in turn from Latin iuxtare "to approach, to meet".

Jousting was a duel based on a knight on his galloping horse aiming his lance at his opponent's shield or throat. The objective was to seize weapons, armor, and anything else of value that the opponent was carrying. Despite the violence and danger involved in this sport, honor, glory and the expectation of financial gain were strong motivations for participation.

Image: Jacques Callot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yes, believe it or not, cannon shooting was not only a sport but also a competition held in the Olympic Games in Paris in 1900. Well, actually it was more of a demonstration organized by the Parisian Society for Cannon Shooting, but it is so unique that it’s worth mentioning.

The competition was divided into three categories: individual shooting, field battery shooting, and assault battery shooting. In the individual round, participants had to fire a cannon four times as fast as possible at targets 195 ft away. For the field battery firing, 16 officers assisted by 30 other people fired six cannons. The prize for the winners was not medals as is customary in the Olympics, but cash.

Image: Potier A (Athènes), potier, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Another popular sport among the ancient Greeks was episkyros. Episkyros is considered one of the forerunners of contemporary games such as rugby and American soccer. Dating back to the 5th century BC, this game was a vigorous —and sometimes violent— physical activity involving a large number of participants and spectators.

The main objective of the game was to pass a leather ball filled with sand or grass using any part of the body, including the hands, into the opposing team's goal. As episkyros spread to nearby regions, such as Rome, it gradually evolved into the Roman harpastum (meaning "snatched away"). Harpastum shared similarities with its Greek predecessor but had some variations that made it more similar to the game we now know as soccer.

Image: Su Hanchen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Cuju or Ts'u-chü originated during the Han dynasty in China, more than 2,000 years ago. Like many of the sports included in this list, cuju is also considered a precursor to modern games such as soccer, basketball, and volleyball. The word cuju is a combination of the words cu, meaning "to kick", and ju, which means "a type of leather ball".

This ancestral football game combined athletic abilities with technical skills and its practice was considered a cultural and ceremonial event. It was mainly practiced by soldiers as part of their military training, as it was believed to strengthen the body and mind. Over time, cuju became popular among the civilian population, turning it into a highly appreciated recreational activity within Chinese society.

Image: National Gallery of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kolf is a game that originated in the Netherlands during the 13th century. This ancestor of modern golf was played in open fields or indoors. It is believed that the name comes from the Middle High German word for club, "kolbe". Kolf consisted of hitting a ball with a long club to get it to a specific spot in as few strokes as possible.

This pastime required skill, precision, and strategy. It was popular among people of all ages and social classes and was a common activity seen in squares and parks. As it spread throughout Europe, Kolf was adopted in different countries with variations in the rules and equipment used, which contributed to its popularity and evolution over the centuries.

Daily routine

Still wearing your shoes like this? 10 habits that can harm your health!

Image: Steve Johnson

The accelerated pace of life can make us overlook our health a little by carrying out some habits that may seem harmless but are actually not good for our health. If you want to improve your routines, keep reading! Today, we identify 10 bad health habits you might not even realize you're doing!

Image: Pille R. Priske

Maybe you're one of those who change the kitchen sponge when it looks like it's been through a boxing match. We don't judge; we've all done it! However, experts recommend changing the sponge regularly because food debris can grow harmful bacteria.

How often should you change it? Every 2 weeks! You can also sanitize your sponge by microwaving it for 2 minutes or soaking it in bleach.

Image: Vladislav Muslakov

If you have long hair or live with someone who does, this tip can save the day (or rather, the night). Did you know that sleeping with your hair tied up too tightly can actually damage its health?

If you sleep that way regularly, the tension could contribute to hair breakage, thinning, or hair loss. In addition, that habit can also lead to scalp problems or even headaches. It's generally recommended to tie your hair softly with soft scrunchies or silk ties to minimize friction and tension.

Image: Luca Bravo

It's not that we have anything against desks, but many people simply don't take the time to pause from work and eat as health professionals recommend.

Eating while working or using the computer can distract you from how you eat, leading to inadequate chewing and poor digestion as a consequence.

Image: Roberto Sorin

Sometimes, we may stop taking the antibiotics prescribed by our doctor once we start feeling better. While this could be due to simple forgetfulness, it can lead to serious health consequences. Most importantly, if you don't complete the treatment as indicated by your doctor, your body may develop resistance to the antibiotics, making future infections harder to treat.

Image: Olena Kamenetska

We know that, in today's world, it's hard to stay away from screens, whether it's a cell phone, computer, or TV. However, health experts have warned that nighttime screen time can be a bad habit for your health for several reasons.

First, the blue light emitted by many screens interrupts your sleep cycle, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. As a consequence, you may end up sleeping later and not getting enough rest. On the other hand, it can affect your eyesight, drying out your eyes or irritating them.

Image: Annie Spratt

Today's jobs often cause many people to spend 8 hours (or more) sitting at their desks. But it turns out that this habit isn't good at all: sitting still for long periods can slow down your metabolism, worsen your posture and back pain, or weaken your muscles.

While we know work is important, so is your health! It's recommended to take breaks, stand up, stretch, walk (even if it's indoors or in the garden), and add at least 20 minutes of physical activity each day.

Image: Madi Doell

Not changing your pillowcase regularly can lead to health problems, and while this may seem obvious, the list of consequences is actually longer than you might think.

A pillowcase that has been in use for more than a week has collected germs and bacteria from your hair and skin. This habit can lead to allergic reactions, skin irritations, or even, in the worst case, respiratory issues. In fact, some experts recommend washing your whole pillow every 3 to 6 months as well.

Image: Todd Diemer

Leaving wet clothes on for too long is not only incredibly uncomfortable but also bad for your health. So now you know, if you get caught in the rain or sweat too much in that gym class, it's best to change into dry clothes as soon as possible.

Wet clothes can create a moist environment that can irritate your skin or lead to fungal infections. Bacteria and fungi love moisture! And if it's cold outside, staying in wet clothes can make you more vulnerable to catching a cold.

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Although many antibacterial products are highly effective, using them too frequently or excessively can actually have the opposite effect of what's intended.

The skin on your body has beneficial bacteria that protect it against harmful germs. Over-disinfecting your environment or skin can disrupt the balance of your natural protection, weakening your immunity.

Image: Mitchel Lensink

In many Asian countries, taking off your shoes before entering a house isn't just a sign of respect; it's also an important practice for maintaining better health.

By keeping your shoes on indoors, you can bring viruses and bacteria from the streets into your home, spreading them across the floor, carpets, surfaces, and even the air.