Nomgon Monuments

The Nomgon Inscriptions are regional inscriptions located in Mongolia and associated with Göktürks, offering valuable linguistic and regional insights. Discovered in the early 2000s, these inscriptions provide significant information regarding the history and cultural structures of the Göktürks, shedding light on the depths of the Turkish culture in Central Asia.

Nomgon-2 Monumental Complex and Discovery Process

The Nomgon Inscriptions are found at the Nomgon-2 Monumental Complex in Mongolia. This complex was confirmed by the Turkish Academy as a Göktürk site following archaeological excavations and discoveries conducted in 2019. The inscriptions do not merely relate to Turkish history but also reflect past cultural interactions that occurred in the region.

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The Göktürk Period and Ilterish Kutluk Khagan

The Nomgon Inscriptions contain detailed information about the Göktürk Period. Most of the inscriptions are regarded as symbolic representations of the policies of Ilterish Kutluk Khagan. As one of the founders of the Göktürks, Ilterish Kutluk Khagan established and expanded the Second Turkic Khaganate, exerting profound cultural influence during his reign. The inscriptions reveal numerous details about his personality, particularly regarding political and social structures. In this context, the texts of the Nomgon Inscriptions contain expressions that highlight the Göktürks’ understanding of governance within the context of earlier Turkic societies.

Content and Linguistic Features of the Nomgon Inscriptions

The Nomgon Inscriptions include texts written in both Old Turkic and Sogd. This clearly demonstrates the multilingual nature of the period and the diverse cultural interactions that took place. Old Turkic served not only as the official language of the Göktürks but was also adopted by other communities across Central Asia. The Sogdian language, meanwhile, functioned as a major trade language in Central Asia; the presence of texts in Sogdian within these inscriptions underscores the Göktürks’ interactions with neighboring societies.

Meaning and Significance of the Inscriptions

The Nomgon Inscriptions attract attention not only for their linguistic features but also for their historical significance. They provide key insights into the history and cultural heritage of Central Asia. The inscriptions preserve important remnants concerning the social structure, beliefs, government systems, and connections of the Göktürks with other communities in Central Asia.

In particular, the inscriptions contain praises believed to be dedicated to Ilterish Kutluk Khagan and symbolic representations of his authority. Additionally, the cultural diversity and artistic expressions of the Göktürks are indirectly discernible through the motifs depicted in the inscriptions. These inscriptions serve as a vital medium for transmitting the Göktürks’ concept of governance and cultural richness to the present day.

The Nomgon Inscriptions hold significant value as a source for research into Turkish history and culture in Central Asia on. Thanks to these inscriptions, the influence of the Göktürks across Central Asia is better understood.