18 September 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

Ruins of China’s earliest state academy found in east China

21 February 2022

21 February 2022

The ruins of ancient China‘s first government-run institution of higher learning, built in 374 BC, have been discovered in the...

For the first time, a Viking Age grave rich in artifacts has been found in Norway’s capital city, Oslo

23 December 2022

23 December 2022

A Viking Age grave rich in artifacts has been discovered for the first time in Norway’s capital city, Oslo. The...

Archaeologists uncover a 1,500-year-old Lost Mayan city in the Yucatan

28 May 2022

28 May 2022

Researchers have presented their findings after discovering the remnants of an ancient Mayan city on a building site in Mexico....

The impressive Statue of young Hercules unearthed in Philippi, Northern Greece

24 September 2022

24 September 2022

A larger-than-life youthful Hercules statue dating to the 2nd century A.D. have been found in the ancient city of Philippi...

Deadly 7.7 quakes hit Turkey destroys historical Gaziantep Castle

6 February 2023

6 February 2023

A deadly 7.7 magnitude earthquake that rocked the southern province of Kahramanmaraş, with tremors felt in the neighboring provinces, has...

Mesolithic stone mace head found during excavation of a site near Buckingham

4 April 2023

4 April 2023

Archaeologists discovered an attractive Mesolithic stone mace head while excavation of a site near Buckingham. The work was done by...

Bone tools for bleeding cows discovered in a 7,000-year-old cemetery in Sudan

24 March 2023

24 March 2023

During excavations in the Letti basin in northern Sudan, archaeologists have unearthed 7,000-year-old bone tools used to bleed cows. Explorers...

Researchers believe mass immigration to Orkney during the Bronze Age was mostly led by women

8 February 2022

8 February 2022

Researchers believe mass immigration to Orkney during the Bronze Age was mostly led by women.  Mass migration to Orkney during...

Puzzling rings may be finger loops from prehistoric weapon systems

24 May 2023

24 May 2023

When many researchers looked at an astonishing group of artifacts discovered at French archaeological sites, they presumed they were ornaments...

A first in 35 years! Child grave with bracelets and gifts found in ancient city of Kelenderis

25 June 2022

25 June 2022

During this year’s excavations in the ancient city of Kelenderis, founded on the Mediterranean coast in the southern province of...

A Gold Belt Weighing 432 Grams Unearthed During Excavations in Ani Ruins is on Display

2 July 2024

2 July 2024

The gold belt discovered 22 years ago during excavations in the ancient city of Ani, often referred to as the...

Researchers have found in miniature ceramic bottles evidence of the oldest known use of cosmetics in the Balkans

14 July 2021

14 July 2021

In miniature ceramic bottles from excavations ascribed to the Lasinja Culture in the Southeast Prealps and the Vinča Culture in...

A rare 2,500-year-old shipwreck found off the Greek island of Kythera

5 November 2021

5 November 2021

A rare shipwreck from the ancient era was discovered during the maritime survey for the Crete-Peloponnese subsea link. The Independent...

Ceremonial cave site from Postclassic Maya period discovered in Yucatán Peninsula

21 December 2021

21 December 2021

Archaeologists have discovered a ceremonial cave site in Chemuyil on the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, that dates from the Postclassic Maya...

“If this site (Sharda temple)is restored and conserved, it will attract thousands of Hindus and Buddhists from Kashmir and the rest of the world”

7 August 2021

7 August 2021

Sharda Peeth, a historic learning institution located 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Muzaffarabad, the capital and largest city of Pakistan-administered...