 4750 BC was set as its first year in the 1950s, based on a series of articles published in the Assyrian nationalist magazine "Gilgamesh"; the first came in 1952 and written by Nimrod Simono and dealt with the Akitu festival, then an article by Jean Alkhas in 1955 (April, issue 34) fixed the year 4750 BC as the starting point.Alkhas referenced his information to a French archaeologist, whom he did not name, as stating that a cuneiform tablet dating to 4750 BC mentioned the year of the calming of the great flood and beginning of life.The Assyrian new year is still celebrated every year with festivals and gatherings.