Collage of photographs of a bronze coin near Tashkent, Uzbekistan, thought to date from the late 6th or early 7th century, inscribed "Turk-Kagan," a phrase never before seen on coins from that period, May 14, 2025.Photo via Türkiye daily
Posted on 06/01/2025 8:33:17 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
A small bronze coin found at an ancient site near Tashkent has the potential to reshape archaeologists' understanding of early Turkic civilization, reports Türkiye Today. According to archaeologist Gaybulla Babayarov of the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, the late sixth– or early seventh–century object is stamped with the phrase "Turk-Kagan" written in the Sogdian language. While the word "kagan," sometimes spelled khagan, refers to the ruler of an empire or khaganate, Babayarov argues the usage of the word "Turk" here denotes the oldest known reference to ethnic Turkic identity. Previously, the earliest known appearance of the term "Turk" came from eighth-century Mongolian inscriptions. It is believed the coin was minted by the descendants of Istemi Kagan during the period of the Western Gokturk Khaganate, which controlled parts of the Fergana Valley that includes modern-day Uzbekistan. Traditional academic narratives posit that the Gokturks were purely nomadic and therefore had little need for a coin-based economy. The newly discovered coin appears to contradict those theories. "This discovery challenges the traditional image of the Gokturks as nomads," said Babayarov. "It shows they had urban settlements, a ruling elite, and even monetary circulation."
(Excerpt) Read more at archaeology.org ...
Collage of photographs of a bronze coin near Tashkent, Uzbekistan, thought to date from the late 6th or early 7th century, inscribed "Turk-Kagan," a phrase never before seen on coins from that period, May 14, 2025.Photo via Türkiye daily
Free Anatolia for its native Greeks!
“ Around 2,000 years ago (circa 25 CE), Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) was home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups due to its strategic location as a crossroads of civilizations. The major ethnic groups included:
• Greeks: Predominant in western Anatolia, especially in cities like Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamon, due to centuries of Greek colonization and Hellenistic influence following Alexander the Great’s conquests.
• Anatolian Peoples: Indigenous groups like the Lycians, Lydians, Carians, and Phrygians still lived in various regions, though their distinct cultures were heavily Hellenized by this time. The Galatians, a Celtic group, also settled in central Anatolia (around modern Ankara) after migrating in the 3rd century BCE.
• Armenians: In eastern Anatolia, particularly around Lake Van, Armenians formed a significant population, with their kingdom gaining prominence.
• Persians and Medes: Descendants of Persian settlers and administrators from the Achaemenid period were present, especially in central and eastern Anatolia.
• Jews: Jewish communities were established in cities like Sardis and Ephesus, often as a result of diaspora movements.
• Romans: While not a dominant ethnic group, Roman administrators, soldiers, and settlers were present, especially after Anatolia became part of the Roman Empire (e.g., provinces like Asia and Bithynia).
• Other Groups: Smaller populations of Thracians, Cappadocians, and nomadic tribes like the Cimmerians or Scythians lingered in certain areas.
This diversity was shaped by Anatolia’s history under Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman rule, with Greek and later Latin as common languages alongside local tongues. If you’d like, I can search for more specific details or focus on a particular region or group!”
What is the history of the Jews in Anatolia? Thanks.
:^) Anatolia’s been a popular spot for a long time. Also, the 100% natural climate pulses result in big migrations out of Central Asia — spilling east and west into the steppes, down the Khyber Pass, and into the area south of the Caspian Sea.
I would say that one coin does not at all SHOW the above, but only suggests it. One could point to the later Mongolians in their hey day, who had all of the above, but were still largely nomadic.
Im missing the Solazzo reference
Nevermind, I did not know that was his nickname
Sheesh you are fast
The thread just above this one is “Baby Rattles Were Mass-Produced in Bronze Age Syria”
Baby rattles were mass produced for Young Turks.
“Im missing the Solazzo reference”
He was known as “The Turk”.
Modern day “Turks” in Turkiye have , on average, only about 5% TurkiC blood. They are mostly descendants of the conquered Greeks, Armenian, Iranian, Galatian, Phyrgian, Lydian etc. People
I think it is only mentioned in the book not the movie. But I’m not sure
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