New runiс inscriptions in Kenkol (upper Talas valley)

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to publish new data on two ancient Turkic rune-like inscriptions, previously unknown. Inscriptions were found in 2016 and 2019 during the examination of the headwaters of the Talas Valley — the region where is 19 similar Early Turkic epigraphic were known, over a more than 120-day period of it studying. One of the published new inscriptions, apparently, carries rather rare (extraordinary) information, including on the structure of the ancient Turkic tribes. Thus, it is not ordinary — visitor and requires further analysis.

A brief but detailed history of the study of Ancient Turkic inscriptions of the Talas Valley (its Kyrgyz part) is given in the article, occupying a significant place in it. The study of these informative epigraphic inscriptions has been carried out since the end of the 19th century, when V. Kallaur and P. Melioransky explored it. This times the locals knew about their presence. Further, it finds happened by specialists.

The discovery of inscriptions in the upper reaches of the Talas River shows the promise of studying monuments of medieval Turkic culture in the Talas River basin. This is one of the main clusters of finds of Ancient Turkic epigraphy. Apparently, the survey of both the mountainous and predominantly flat parts of the Talas Valley can bring further significant achievements in this area.