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New Findings on Backgammon Ancient HistoryAfter the most ancient backgammon board was found in the ruins of the old Iranian city Shahr-e Suktheh (Burnt City), the Persian Journal reports on new findings that tie backgammon ancient history to the Persian Empire, more specifically to a man named Bozorgmehr who improved and refined the game predecessor to create the first scientific version of the game known in English speaking countries as backgammon and in Iran as Nard or Takhteh.
Bozorgmehr, the alleged father of scientific backgammon, who served as chancellor, minister and physician during the reign of the Sassanid King Khosrow Anushiravan in the 6th century, created the game in order to challenge the Indian sages. According to writings from that time and area, the game of Nard used to be played with dice made of ivory and teak wood.
Dr. Manouchehr Saadat Noury, who researched the topic of backgammon history in Iran and published his findings in the Persian Journal online, claims that many of the concepts and symbols involved in the backgammon game, such as the dealing of 30 pieces that symbolize the 30 days of the month or the contrast between the white and black game pieces that represent day and night, were derived by Zoroastrianism, the dominant religion in Greater Iran until the middle of the 7th century.
Finally, the Iranian doctor of philosophy suggests a new direction to the origin of the term "backgammon". If it was arguable whether backgammon is Welsh for little war (back + gammon) or Saxon for back game (bac + gamen), Dr. Saadat Noury reveals that the Iranian Takhteh/Nard game was nicknamed "backhtazmoon", combination of the two Persian words for luck and test.
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