On the Place Names Occurring in the Şine-usu Inscription

Abstract

The Şine-Usu inscription, which occupies an important place among Turkic records on the history of the Turkic peoples, has been the subject of extensive study, particularly in regard to its linguistic and historical aspects. Comprising one portion of the history of the Turks, first-hand information concerning the founding years of the Uighur Khanate is transmitted in this record. Yet, since up to now no serious research has been executed on the great many place names that occur in the inscription, the central focus of this article presents an examination of this record as a document of Turkic historical geography.