Possible Inscription of Ilterish Qaghan Found

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

Archaeologists excavating the late 7th century Türk temple complex in Nomgon in Mongolia have announced that they have found a part of an inscription thought to be erected in memory of Ilterish Qaghan, founder of the Second Türk Qaghanate. According to the initial announcements and briefings, the inscription contains texts written in Old Turkic, Soghdian and Chinese; however, more detailed publications are necessary to reach a definite conclusion. If indeed the inscription belongs to Ilterish Qaghan, and if other pieces are also found, it will certainly increase our knowledge on the early years of the Second Türk Qaghanate. Also, if the inscription is really from the early 690s, it will be the second earliest dateable inscription from this qaghanate (the first one is the Choir Inscription; although undated, it mentions being written during the reign of Ilterish Qaghan), and it will be the earliest Turkic text mentioning the name Turk.

For more information and photos from the inscription, you can check this Twitter thread: Previously unknown Old Türkish inscription discovered in Central Mongolia in a ritual complex dedicated to the founder of the Second Türkic Empire.

[Temüjin]

wow that's great! unfortunately the link doesn't work for me.

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

Great news indeed! The link works with me, perhaps you can check my own Twitter posts because I had retweeted that tweet a few days ago.

[Temüjin]

turns out my ad blocker was the problem...

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

Ah I see, glad you saw the post.

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

So the initial C-14 test results have arrived, apparently dating the site between 640s and 720s AD, certainly making it earlier than the Orkhon Inscriptions of the 730s.