Games played with curved sticks and a ball appear in the histories of many cultures. In Egypt, 4,000-year-old carvings show teams using sticks and a projectile. In Ireland, hurling dates back to before 1272 BC. Ancient Greek artwork from around 600 BC also depicts a similar game, possibly called kerētízein, which may have been played with a horn-shaped stick. In Inner Mongolia, the Daur people have played beikou, a game similar to modern field hockey, for about 1,000 years.
Modern climbing walls are often made from plywood, steel, or aluminum. They may include attachment points for belay ropes and can be used for lead climbing, top-rope climbing, or bouldering. Each hole typically contains a specially designed T-nut, allowing modular climbing holds to be screwed securely onto the wall. On steel or aluminum walls, engineered industrial fasteners are used to attach the holds.
The climbing surface is usually covered with textured materials such as concrete, paint, or polyurethane mixed with sand. In addition to texture and handholds, the wall may feature structural elements such as incuts, bulges, overhangs, underhangs, or cracks. Some holds are designed to imitate outdoor rock formations, including oversized holds that can support additional smaller grips.
The climbing surface is usually covered with textured materials such as concrete, paint, or polyurethane mixed with sand. In addition to texture and handholds, the wall may feature structural elements such as incuts, bulges, overhangs, underhangs, or cracks. Some holds are designed to imitate outdoor rock formations, including oversized holds that can support additional smaller grips.