THE DEVELOPMENT AND LINGUISTIC FEATURES OF ANCIENT SCRIPTS IN CENTRAL ASIA

The study of ancient writing systems and languages of Central Asia is essential for understanding the region’s cultural evolution and ethnic formation. Archaeological discoveries across Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan reveal a rich linguistic heritage dating back to the 5th–4th centuries BCE. These findings—such as the Khwarezmian, Bactrian, Sogdian, and Saka scripts—demonstrate the early intellectual and administrative sophistication of Central Asian societies. They also reflect the mutual cultural exchange between local civilizations and the broader Iranian and Hellenistic worlds. This thesis aims to analyze the origin, structure, and historical role of these ancient scripts and their contribution to the linguistic development of the region.