4,600-Year-Old Board Game Found in Iran's Burnt City

Archaeologists in Iran have discovered a 4,600-year-old board game at Shahr-e Sukhteh, the "Burnt City," a Bronze Age UNESCO World Heritage site, during its 21st excavation season. The newly found game is a different type from a set unearthed in 1977 at the same site, which included a wooden board, 27 pieces, and dice. The new discovery raises questions about multiple gaming traditions in one society, though its rules remain unpublished. The arid environment preserved rare organic materials like textiles, leather, and egg traces, offering insights into ancient life. Shahr-e Sukhteh was a major urban center of the Helmand civilization, with trade links across Central Asia and the Indus Valley.