Mystery of the Ages: Who Invented Soccer?

The exhibit at the Hamburg Museum of Ethnology, called "Fascination Football," tries to answer the question that's plagued many a mind by tracing the modern game back to its roots.

The museum has put together colorful displays of balls, footwear and other equipment from the long history of the game, whose earliest form is generally thought to be a Chinese game called "cuju," which translates as "kickball." It came into existence some 4,700 years ago and was a way to teach soldiers about cooperation and vigilance.

But there are other contenders for the origin prize.

Of balls, boots and hip kicks

The exhibit also tells the story of 6,000-year-old stone balls discovered in the United States that are similar to ones used by today's Native Americans for two types of soccer-like games.

Then again, there's Japan. A pair of black-and-red, ankle-length boots are on display that were used from the seventh century onwards in the game "kemari," in which teams would kick the ball to each other and try to prevent it from touching the ground.

Mexico is in the running with a game called "ulama" dating to 1,500 years BC. Players have to strike the ball through stone rings with their hips. A version of it is still being played today.

It is thought that the first inter-continental soccer match took place in Greenland in 1586 between the John Davis, an English explorer, and the residents of Godthab.

But many of the basic rules and structures of the modern game were first set down in the Italian city of Florence in the 16th century. The halfway line, the wearing of team colors, referees and specific playing positions date from this period.