ABSTRACT

The earliest documents in a Turkic language are runic inscriptions, of which the most important were found in the valleys of the Orkhon and the Yenisei rivers (see Figure 1, p. 29). These inscriptions date from the beginning of the 8th century A.D. onwards and record the warlike feats of various Turkic qagans, or rulers, of the Second East Turkic Empire (which flourished from about 680 to 740). They have been set down as a record as well as a warning for future generations; as the memorial inscription for Prince Kül puts it: "See these writings and learn a lesson!"2