Old Turkic inscriptions

Old Turkic inscriptions. These are the earliest extant written records of Turkic peoples, carved on stone monuments across the Eurasian Steppe. Primarily dating to the 8th century, they were created by the Second Turkic Khaganate and the Uyghur Khaganate. These epigraphic texts provide invaluable historical, linguistic, and cultural insights into the nomadic empires of Central Asia.

Discovery and history

The most significant monuments were discovered in the late 19th century in the Orkhon Valley of modern Mongolia by Nikolay Yadrintsev. The subsequent expeditions led by Vilhelm Thomsen, who deciphered the script in 1893, and Vasily Radlov were pivotal. These findings, including the monumental complexes at Khoshoo Tsaidam, revolutionized the study of Eurasian nomads. Earlier awareness existed, such as with the Tonyukuk inscriptions noted by Mikhail V. Lomonosov, but comprehensive study began after the Russian Geographical Society sponsored research. The inscriptions commemorate events from the late 7th to early 9th centuries, primarily under rulers like Ilterish Qaghan, Qapaghan Qaghan, and Bilge Khagan.

Script and language

The inscriptions are written in the Old Turkic script, often called the Orkhon script or Turkic runes. It is an alphabet derived likely from a variant of the Aramaic alphabet via the Sogdian alphabet, as used in the Sogdian region. The language recorded is Old Turkic, specifically the dialect of the Göktürks, which is the ancestor of all modern Turkic languages. The script is written right to left and was typically carved vertically on stone stelae. Its decipherment by Vilhelm Thomsen provided the key to understanding the linguistic structure and confirmed its relationship to later languages like Old Uyghur.

Major inscriptions

The two most extensive and famous monuments are the paired inscriptions erected for the ruler Bilge Khagan and his brother, the general Kül Tigin, near the Orkhon River. A separate, earlier set of inscriptions honors the sage advisor Tonyukuk, located farther east near the Tuul River. Other important sites include the Uyghur Khaganate monuments at Karabalgasun and the Selenga River basin, such as the Şine-Usu inscription and the Tariat inscriptions. Additional fragments have been found across a vast area from the Lena River to Ulan Bator and the Altai Mountains.

Content and themes

The texts are political memorials that glorify the achievements of the khagans and lament the decline of the First Turkic Khaganate. They contain detailed accounts of military campaigns against peoples like the Tang dynasty, the Kyrgyz, the Toquz Oghuz, and the Karluks. A central theme is the importance of unity under the Ashina clan, with stark warnings against the seductive influence of Chinese culture and advisors from the Sui dynasty. The inscriptions also express profound nomadic values, praising the steppe lifestyle, wisdom, and bravery, while mourning the death of leaders like Kül Tigin with great emotion.

Significance and legacy

These inscriptions are foundational for Turkology and the history of Inner Asia, offering a rare indigenous perspective counter to Chinese historiography from sources like the Book of Tang. They provide crucial data on the Turkic migration, state formation, and diplomatic relations with the Byzantine Empire and Tibetan Empire. Linguistically, they are the Rosetta Stone for Altaic languages studies. Their legacy endured in the Old Uyghur alphabet and influenced the Old Hungarian script. Today, they are a powerful national symbol in countries like Turkey and Kazakhstan, with replicas displayed in capitals from Ankara to Astana.

Category:Turkic inscriptions Category:Archaeological discoveries in Mongolia Category:History of Central Asia