Sogdian Elements in Yenisei Inscriptions

Abstract

In several Runic Yenisei inscriptions dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, there are words related to Sogdian, such as Arγu in monument E42, Čač (Tashkent) in E52, Čaγar (柘羯, ‘warrior’) in E55, Pülüs (Paulus / Paul, personal name) in E69, etc. Among them, Pülüs (Paul), the tomb owner of E69, comes from the Shi 石 Kingdom (Tashkent) in Sogdiana. This provides key historical data for understanding the relationship between the Sogdians and Kirghizs,and indicates that there was a material and cultural exchange between them in the Yenisei basin at that time.