Why are the Orhon inscriptions important to the history of Turkic languages?

The Orhon inscriptions are of paramount importance to the history of the Turkic languages because they represent the oldest extant writings in a Turkic language. Discovered in northern Mongolia and deciphered in 1893 by the Danish philologist Vilhelm Thomsen, these 8th-century monuments provide the earliest linguistic records for the family.123

The inscriptions are significant for several reasons:

• Linguistic Evidence: The polished, epic style of the texts suggests that the language had already undergone a considerable period of development prior to the 8th century.1
• Historical Insight: They offer a primary source for the history of the Turk dynasty, detailing the legendary origins of the Turks, their social structure, and their political history in Central Asia.13
• Script: They are carved in a unique script often referred to as "Turkish runes," which serves as a vital record of early Turkic literacy before the adoption of other writing systems.13

These records are foundational to understanding the evolution and early documentation of the Turkic language family.2