Starting in the the 1950s, archaeologists conducting excavations in central Asia have discovered several dozen inscriptions in a mysterious script. The writing system was coined “ecriture inconnue” in French and “neizvestnoe pis’mo” in Russian — which translate to “unknown writing” in English. Experts found examples varying in length from just a few characters to several lines of writing. Since the first inscriptions were discovered, experts have worked to decipher the mysterious ancient language, but it wasn’t until March that a group of researchers from the University of Cologne in Germany successfully deciphered part of the system, according to a July 13 news release from the university.

The team detailed its research and findings about the newly-discovered language — which experts proposed be named “Eteo-Tocharian” — in a study published July 12 in Transactions of the Philological Society. Here’s what they found. A 2,200-YEAR-OLD WRITING SYSTEM Experts determined that the writing system was likely used between 200 B.C. and 700 C.E. in parts of Central Asia, the university said. It is associated with early nomadic people who inhabited the Eurasian steppe as well as the Kushan rulers. Since the 1950s, most evidence of the script has been found in the present-day regions of Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, the university said. Researchers said the system likely consists of between 25 and 30 characters, and is intended to be read from right to left. So far, 15 consonants, four vowels and two ligatures — or sounds — have been identified, according to the study. HOW EXPERTS CRACKED THE CODE The discovery of another ancient inscription in 2022 prompted a renewed look at deciphering what was then known as the “unknown writing.”

A short inscription was discovered on a rock in the Almosi Gorge in Tajikistan, but unlike previous examples of the writing system, this inscription was made in two different scripts, the university said. One version of the inscription was written in the unknown Kushan script while the other version was written in Bactrian script — a system known to researchers.

Researchers also relied on another multilingual inscription which was discovered in the 1960s at Dašt-i Nāwur in Afghanistan, the university said. The Dašt-i Nāwur inscription is a trilingual royal stone inscription about a Kushan emperor, according to the study. It includes lines in the Kushan language, Bactrian language and a third ancient script. Experts used translations of the Bactrian scripts on both inscriptions to help them analyze the Kushan characters and ultimately decipher the system, according to the university. A HISTORICAL BREAKTHROUGH Experts concluded that the language is a previously unknown Middle Iranian language that likely served as a middle language between the development of two known languages in the region — Bactrian and Khotanese Saka, the university said.

Although it is still unclear where the language was used, there is evidence indicating that it was an official language of the Kushan Empire, according to experts. Further analysis will grant researchers more insight into the cultural and geographical landscape of the region during the first and second centuries. THE KUSHAN DYNASTY The Kushan dynasty ruled most of northern Indian, Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia for the first three centuries, according to Britannica. The dynasty was known for its hand in spreading Buddhism and its trade with the Roman empire.

Source: Miami Herald

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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated his fellow citizens on his official Twitter account.

“Our flag, emblem and anthem are filled with deep meaning and evoke in each of us a sense of pride and responsibility for our country. It is the duty of every citizen and patriot to honor the state symbols,” he wrote.

To mark the date, the Kazakh capital will organize over 600 events, including academic conferences, artistic and musical contests, flag distribution events, seminars, as well as concerts and parades, reported Kazinform news agency. 

The Astana akimat (city administration) will also launch a YouTube broadcast of informative videos and interviews with political figures and famous people of the country, announced the akimat’s press service.

What do national symbols embody?

The flag was created by Kazakhstan’s honored artist Shaken Niyazbekov. His design is a blue canvas with the golden sun in the center above a soaring eagle with a vertical traditional ornament nearest the flagpole.

The sky-blue color can be interpreted in a number of ways. It symbolizes honesty, faithfulness and flawlessness. It is also a reference to the ancient Turks’ tradition of worshiping the sky.

The sun on the flag embodies wealth, abundance, life and energy, while the soaring steppe eagle illustrates the power of the state, its sovereignty and its aspiration for high goals and a sustainable future.

The national emblem was designed by famous Kazakh architects Zhandarbek Malibekov and Shot-Aman Ualikhanov.

The central figure on the national emblem is a shanyrak, the round crown at the top of the Kazakh yurt that for centuries stood as the symbol of a common home uniting all the people of the country. Just as the strength and stability of the shanyrak depend on the reliability of all its uyks (pillars), the sustained development of Kazakhstan depends on the well-being of every citizen.

Tulpars, the winged mythical horses, embody concepts like courage, loyalty and strength. The wings symbolize the long-standing dream of the multinational people of Kazakhstan to build a strong and prosperous state. The golden wings represent the diligence of the Kazakhs and the material well-being of the country.

The national anthem was adopted twice in the history of independent Kazakhstan, first in 1992, then in 2006. The latter version is based on a popular patriotic song “Menin Kazakhstanym” (My Kazakhstan) written in 1956 by composer Shamshi Kaldayakov to the lyrics by Zhumeken Nazhimedenov. First President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, contributed to altering the original lyrics of the song.

Source: The Astana Times

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