Ustügi Sarï-Kobï (A-72)

Description

This inscription is located 3km to the West of the village Bičiktu-Boom. It is situated on a small rocky ledge, on a surface of 155х81cm. This is a horizontal line consisting of 10 signs; its length is 7,2cm, the height of the characters is 0,7- 1,2cm. To the right of the inscription  there are numerous petroglyphs belonging to recent times. The inscription was discovered by A. T. Urbanov in 1997. The inscription was studied by V.A. Kočeev, I. L. Kyzlasov, later by L.N. Tybykova, I.A. Nevskaya and M. Erdal.

Reading of I. L. Kyzlasov

Transliteration: Od²čuqč5n¹ї(і)qugl²10

Transcription: öd (u)čuq č(ї)nї küg(ü)l

Translation: The time, come to an end! His Truth, rise! (Kyzlasov 2007: 104)

Reading of M. Erdal

Runic transliteration :

Transliteration:

U d² z/č ^Uk/p č/I/ŋ² n¹ I/A ^Uk ^Up l²

Transcription:

Ud(u)z(u)p (a)č(ï)n kop (e)l

Translation: … Leading (us), take care (of us), of the whole people!

Reading of I.A. Nevskaya and L.N.Tybykova

Runic transliteration:

Transliteration: U d² č ^uk č n¹ I ^uk g² l²

Transcription: üd (a)čuk č(ї)nї uk (e)g(i)l

Translation: The time is an obvious (lit.: open) truth! Listen and worship (it)!

Comments

The reading of I.A. Nevskaya and L.N. Tybykova differs from that of M. Erdal because of various interpretations of the signs. I.A. Nevskaya and L.N. Tybykova argue that the third sign of this inscription is without any doubt č. They interpret the ninth sign as g². Thus, they agree with I. L. Kyzlasov in what the signs are concerned.

                However, I. L. Kyzlasov interprets the content of this inscription as Manichean. In our interpretation, this inscription reflects thoughts about the time: the Time will show/disclose (everything), it will pronounce its judgment on everything. Inscriptions with philosophical content, as well as admonitions containing the verb uk- ‘listen’, are characteristic of this place, e.g. see Bičiktu-Boom VIII where we find the following: (ä)r (e)li a t(e)r(i)l(i)p a elt! ….uk(ï)p t(ä)g! ‘Oh, community of man-warriors, gather together, lead … listen and attack!