8 August 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

A Monument complex and inscription belonging to Ilteris Kutlug Kagan, the founder of the Eastern Göktürk Khanate, were found

A Turkish inscription of İlteriş Kutlug Kağan was found during the joint scientific archaeological expedition of the International Turkic Academy and the Mongolian Archeology Institute in the Nomgon valley in the Arkhangai region of Mongolia.

Ilteris Kutlug Kagan is the founder of the Eastern Gokturk Khanate in 682.

An important discovery in the field of Turkology has been made at Hangai Jote in Mongolia’s Otuken region: a monument complex and a new inscription of Ilterish Kutlug Kagan.

The inscription found in a joint scientific archaeological expedition of the International Turkic Academy and the Mongolian Archaeological Institute in the Nomgon Valley is written in Turkic and Sogdian languages.

Photo: International Turkic Academy

The discovery was announced by International Turkic Academy President Darhan Kidırali on his social media account on Tuesday. The Turkic Academy held a special press conference in Ulan Bator regarding the discovery.

At the press conference, Darhan Kidirali said, “Today I want to share the good news with you. As a result of this year’s expedition, a monument complex and inscription dedicated to Ilteris Kutlug Kagan, the father of Kultegin and Bilge Kagan, who revived the Khanate, was found. I would like to point out that it is the oldest written monument where the name “Turkish” is mentioned for the first time in a valuable relic of the Turkish period,” he said.

However, G. Eregzen, Director of the Archeology History Institute of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, reported on the results of the scientific archaeological expedition in the Nomgon Plain.

The total area of the complex is 49×41.5 m. A ditch was dug around the complex, which is located in an oval shape from west to east, and a castle was built by piling up soil from there.

Altar. Photo: International Turkic Academy

On the west side of the complex, there is a stone cube with a hole (altar) in the middle, stone human figures, a lion statue with two cubs, and two sheep statues. There are 51 balbal stone (Kurgan stelae) protrusions to the east of the gate of the complex. Of these, the “tauteke” symbol belonging to the Ashina family was identified from five balbals.

At the same time, the excavation of clay pavement and brick remains laid on the path shows that there was a baruk (place of worship) inside the complex.

The upper part of the inscription monument and the turtle stand was found in front of the Baruk. The old Turkish Bitik inscription consisting of 12 lines was engraved on both sides of the valuable object, and the old Sogdian script was engraved on the third side.

Photo: International Turkic Academy

Scientists participating in the expedition identified words from the text of the monument, such as “Tanrı” (God), “Turk”, “Kutlyk”, and “Tumen”. Based on the information obtained from the inscription text, it was concluded that the Nomgon complex was dedicated to  Ilterish Kutlug Kagan, the father of Kultegin and Bilge Kagan, who revived the Khaganate. In addition, Bitiktaş is considered to be the oldest written monument of the Turkish period, where the name “Turk” was mentioned for the first time.

In general, the Nomgon ritual complex is similar to the Bilge Kagan and Kultegin ritual complexes in all its features. On the top of the Nomgon inscribed monument, two dragon-shaped wolf heads are depicted with the body facing down. It is known that such Khagan attributes – a dragon-shaped, wolf-headed symbol – were carved on the top of Taşpar Kağan, Bilge, Kültegin, and other monuments. The Nomgon inscription is considered an important monument at the state level, as are the Orkhon monuments.

The Academy will also develop a scientific collection dedicated to the results of the Nomgon scientific expedition and present it in the capitals of the Turkic states.

Ilteris Kutlug Kagan inscription
Ilteris Kutlug Kagan inscription

Historically significant

The Orkhon inscriptions, which were found in the late 19th century, are memorial installations — an important source for the understanding of the origin of the Turks, their history, culture and their relations with other Turkic tribes.

Turkic inscriptions with runic letters are the oldest known written Turkic works. In addition, the inscriptions were written in the first known Turkic alphabet.

They were erected in honour of two Turkic princes, Kul Tigin and Bilge Kagan. The Kul Tigin inscription was erected by his brother Bilge Kagan, and the Bilge Kagan inscription was erected by his son. The third inscription was erected in the name of Bilge Tonyukuk, a political figure. These three inscriptions make up the Orkhon inscriptions.

The monument complex and inscription found at Hangai Jote is of Kul Tigin and Bilge Kagan’s father, Ilterish Kutlug Kagan.

Related Articles

350,000-Year-Old Human Settlement have been Discovered on the Arabian Peninsula

17 May 2021

17 May 2021

One of the world’s oldest Acheulean sites was found in the northern region of Hail in Saudi Arabia. Al Nasim...

New Study Disproves Roman Massacre at Maiden Castle, Revealing Complex Iron Age Conflicts

30 May 2025

30 May 2025

Bournemouth University Archaeologists Challenge 90-Year-Old Roman Conquest Narrative at Maiden Castle with Fresh Forensic and Radiocarbon Analysis A landmark study...

The very unknown ancient city of the Mediterranean; Syedra

3 July 2022

3 July 2022

Known as Turkey’s holiday paradise, the Antalya region is a treasure when it comes to ancient cities. Close to the...

Dark secrets of Korea’s famous Wolseong palace complex are unearthed

8 September 2021

8 September 2021

The remains of an adult woman were discovered at the base of the Wolseong palace in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province,...

Archaeological settlements dating back 3000 years found in Qurayat, Oman

2 October 2022

2 October 2022

Archaeological research in Oman’s Qurayat Province has revealed numerous archaeological and historical settlements, some dating back more than 3,000 years...

Human Presence in Malta Earlier Than Previously Thought: Hunter-Gatherers Navigated 100 km by Sea 1,000 Years Before Farmers

14 April 2025

14 April 2025

Recent archaeological findings have dramatically reshaped our understanding of human history in the Mediterranean, revealing that hunter-gatherers were capable of...

A first-of-its-kind Ayyanar stone idol found in Vellore, India

25 June 2022

25 June 2022

An Ayyanar stone idol, the first of its kind in Vellore, was discovered at Thandalai Krishnapuram (TK Puram) in Tamil...

Ancient Tamil Nadu’s Metalworking Legacy Traced Back to 3300 BCE

7 February 2025

7 February 2025

Recent archaeological research has uncovered compelling evidence that Tamil Nadu’s metalworking traditions date back to at least 3300 BCE, highlighting...

The oldest Celtic Dice ever discovered in Poland

24 September 2023

24 September 2023

A dice, probably dating from the 3rd and early 2nd centuries BC, was discovered at the Celtic settlement of Samborowice...

Scotland’s oldest tartan discovered in Highlands bog

1 April 2023

1 April 2023

According to new research, a piece of fabric discovered in a bog in the Scottish Highlands may be the oldest...

The World’s Oldest Mummies “Chile’s Ancient Mummies Older than Egypt’s”

20 February 2024

20 February 2024

At the beginning of the 20th century, mummies dating back 2000 years before the Egyptians were found in the Atacama...

A Batavian Cavalry Mask was found on the Battlefield of Roman Comrades

22 July 2022

22 July 2022

Archaeologists have discovered that a rusty corroded plate they found 4 years ago at an old battlefield in the city...

Archaeologists discover Europe’s longest prehistoric mound in the Czechia

22 June 2024

22 June 2024

Czech archaeologists in the Hradec Králové area in East Bohemia have discovered what is probably the longest prehistoric mound in...

The Ephesus Massacre: 80,000 Romans Slaughtered in a Single Night of Blood and Betrayal

29 May 2025

29 May 2025

The Ephesus Massacre saw 80,000 or more Romans killed overnight during the Asiatic Vespers — one of the deadliest uprisings...

Ukraine says Russian forces stole Scythian treasures from Melitopol Museum

11 May 2022

11 May 2022

Invading Russian troops have stolen items of ancient Scythian gold and other historical and cultural valuables that were stored in...