Bain Tsokto inscriptions


The Bain Tsokto inscriptions are Turkic inscriptions of the 8th century in Mongolia. They are the oldest written attestations of the Turkic language family, predating the Orkhon inscriptions by several years.

Geography

The inscriptions are in Tuul River valley at . They are often confused with, or considered as a part of, the Orkhon inscriptions, although the Orkhon inscriptions are actually located about to the west of Bain Tsokto.

History

Bain Tsokto inscriptions are about Tonyukuk the counselor of four Turkic khagans.. He died in the 720s. Unlike the two other Orkhon inscriptions which were erected after the hero had died, Bain Tsokto inscriptions were erected by Tonyukuk himself in 716. The narrator is Tonyukuk. The inscriptions were inscribed on two steles. The writing, which proceeds vertically from top to bottom, is in the Old Turkic alphabet.

Summary of the text

1st stele (35 lines)

2nd stele (27 lines)