The 5,000-year old backgammon set found by archaeologists in Iran is at least 100-200 years older than the one discovered in Mesopotamia
The oldest backgammon set found in Iran
Iranian archaeologists have recently discovered the oldest backgammon set in the world. The board along with other 60 pieces was found beneath the rubbles of the legendary Burnt City in Sistan-Baluchistan province, south-eastern Iran.
The scientists say this backgammon set was made at least 5,000 years ago as it belongs to the 5,000-year-old Burnt City civilization. They assert that this archaeological find is much older than the one already discovered in Mesopotamia. According to Iranian.ws, the recent discovery provides strong evidence that the board game was first played in the Burnt City and then transferred to other civilizations.
"The backgammon reveals intriguing clues to the lifestyle of those people. The board is rectangular and made of ebony, which did not grow in Sistan and merchants used to import it from India," said Mansour Sajjadi, head of the research team.
The board features an engraved serpent coiling around itself for 20 times, thus producing 20 slots for the game. This decoration proves that Burnt City artisans were masters of the craft. This reveals some new facts regarding life of this ancient civilization’s inhabitants, who are believed to be concerned with their daily survival and had no time to play games.
"The 60 pieces were also unearthed inside a terracotta vessel beside the board. They were made of common stones quarried in the city, including agate and turquoise," Sajjadi added.
At the moment, experts are trying to find out why players played the backgammon with 60 pieces and what the rules were then. The only one thing they say for sure is that the found board is it at least 100-200 years older than the one discovered in Mesopotamia.
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