Los Tocarios Explicados: El Misterio de los Indoeuropeos en China

Name: Los Tocarios Explicados: El Misterio de los Indoeuropeos en China
Uploaded: 2025-12-29T22:00:25.000Z
Duration: 44 min 43 s

Introduction to the Tocharians

Overview of the Tocharians

The Tocharians were an ancient Indo-European people who inhabited the Tarim Basin in present-day Xinjiang, China, from around 1800 BC until the end of the first millennium AD. Their language is known as Tocharian.

Confusion in Historical Terminology

The term "Tocharian" has been used ambiguously in historiography, referring to two distinct groups:

One group spoke a centum language and was identified with the Gusun people in Chinese sources.

Another group referred to by Arabs as Iro, linked to the Cuuyán Empire in northern India, possibly correlating with Shuechi in Chinese texts.

Archaeological Discoveries and Cultural Insights

Natural Mummification Findings

Discoveries of naturally mummified bodies due to Eastern Turkestan's dryness revealed a Caucasoid population dating back to between 4000 BC and early 2000 BC, characterized by light hair and eyes.

Theories on Population Origins

There are competing theories regarding the origins of populations in the Tarim Basin:

Some suggest migrations from northern and western Central Asia related to Afanasievo and Andronovo cultures.

Others propose that Tocharian culture evolved from these paleoeuropean populations over time within irrigation oases.

Textile Analysis and Misconceptions

Textile Comparisons

Analysis of textiles from Tarim mummies shows similarities with European Iron Age civilizations, such as Tene culture around 800 BC.

Notable findings include cross-woven fabrics like zarga and tartan skirts resembling those found in Nordic Bronze Age sites.

Genetic Studies Disputing Celtic Connections

Genetic and linguistic studies refute claims linking these populations directly to Celts; they likely stemmed from paleoeuropean origins instead.

Paleoeuropeans existed north of the Black Sea during this period, potentially connected with Afanasievo culture.

Historical Context of Tocharian Culture

Necrópolis at Lop Nor

In proximity to Lake Lop Nor lies Cargulp necropolis, associated with an ancient Tocharian kingdom called Kroraina.

This site contains individuals exhibiting paleoeuropean somatic characteristics dating back to around 3000 BC.

Evolution of Tocharian Culture

While there is evidence for paleoeuropean presence influencing Tocharian culture, direct identification remains complex.

The development of Tocharian culture likely involved long-term evolution influenced by various migratory patterns across Central Asia.

Chinese Historical Accounts

Ancient Chinese Records on Tocharians

Early Chinese writings provide valuable insights into Tocharians but lack clear references about their language.

Historical accounts begin significantly after Shimakian's era; thus earlier records may not accurately reflect Tocharian history or identity.

Yuechi Tribes Distinction

Chinese chronicles mention five Yuechi tribes: Losemi, Guiyuan, Shangmi, Shidum, and Dumi; among them, Guiyuan is noted for its prominence during historical interactions with other cultures.

Archaeological Expeditions

Contributions of Archaeological Research

Early 20th-century archaeological expeditions led by figures like Aurel Stein uncovered significant ruins providing insights into Tocharian life during Buddhist times.

Mentioned Groups

Ancient sources also reference Cuanrong tribes inhabiting desert regions known for pastoral lifestyles marked by warrior traits.

Military Engagement

King Mu's military campaigns against Cuanrong illustrate their fragmented political structure rather than a unified state during his reign (1001–967 BC).

Tocarians: Culture and Civilization

Symbolism and Rituals

The Tocarians, including their ancestors, associated the color white with mystical symbolism linked to the solar deity.

Festivities involved a single young woman serving food and drink to multiple men, suggesting rituals tied to immortality or eternal youth as noted by George Dumesil.

Historical Context

The Tocarians were present in the Tarim Basin since at least the 10th century BCE, indicating their paleoeuropean origins but later showing significant genetic mixing.

The core of Tocar civilization thrived in the Tarim Basin, developing major cities like Ham, Turfán, Karachar, Kucha, Aksui, and Kashgar.

Trade and Cultural Exchange

The lack of a unified state among Tocarians was due to vast distances between oases; they benefited from trade along the Silk Road that passed through their territory.

This trade facilitated not only goods but also cultural exchanges such as art, religion, and writing systems.

Agricultural Wealth

By 629 CE, Chinese monk Xuanzang noted that Kucha's soil was fertile for crops like red sorghum and wheat; it also produced various fruits and had rich mineral resources.

Reports from travelers highlighted impressive architecture in Kucha with palaces adorned with gold and silver decorations.

Population Dynamics

By the 7th century CE, Kucha had an estimated area of 140,000 km² with over 450,000 inhabitants—comparable to England's population at that time.

Despite archaeological findings of writings on paper acquired from China, coherent historical records from the Tocharians remain elusive.

Conflicts and Migrations

Historical texts indicate that around 162 BCE Yuechi tribes faced attacks from nomadic groups known as Xiongnu leading to significant migrations.

Following defeats by Xiongnu forces in Bactria around 132 BCE led many Tocharians to settle in regions where they established new kingdoms.

Diplomatic Efforts and Cultural Exchanges in Ancient Central Asia

Han Dynasty Diplomatic Initiatives

In 138 BC, Emperor Han Woody initiated a diplomatic mission led by emissary Sankian to the Shuechi territory, aiming to form an alliance against aggressive powers.

The mission gathered intelligence on regions like Tokharistan and established alliances, revealing the presence of Chinese goods that indicated unknown trade routes connecting southern China with India and Central Asian kingdoms.

Conflicts and Historical Context

Chinese chronicles from the Han dynasty detail ongoing conflicts among various kingdoms in the Tarim Basin but lack insights into internal situations within each Xuechi kingdom.

Limited information from surviving Tokharian texts indicates that kings of Cuchi and Acne claimed titles akin to great Indian kings, using Sanskrit names.

Prosperity of Tokharian States

By the 5th century AD, Tokharian states in the Tarim Basin had been reestablished and were thriving economically.

From 125 BC onwards, Tokharians in Bactria attacked Hellenistic rulers before invading northern India, establishing what is known as the Kushan Empire.

Cultural Influences and Buddhism

The Tokharians adopted many Greek customs from Greco-Bactrian kings, including using Greek script for their numismatics.

The conversion to Buddhism began at an uncertain time but was flourishing by 300 AD in Cuchi; it included other Iranian-speaking peoples like Jotanians who contributed Buddhist terminology.

Syncretism of Beliefs

By the early centuries AD, Tokharian was written in an ancient variant of Sanskrit called Brami; several sutras were translated into this script.

Evidence suggests a syncretic blend between Buddhism and traditional Tokharian religions persisted for centuries. For instance, stele inscriptions from Acni reflect ancient religious practices alongside Buddhist influences.

Localized Buddhist Practices

The inhabitants of Cuchi worshipped syncretic deities such as an omniscient sun god associated with local traditions.

Textual references indicate that local beliefs influenced how Buddhism was practiced among the Tokharians before its spread eastward into China.

Impact on Chinese Buddhism

Sylvine Levy noted that certain expressions in Chinese Buddhism derive not only from Sanskrit but also from Tokharian language influences.

Terms used by Cuchians reflected a unique interpretation of heretical practices compared to mainstream Buddhist terminology.

Political Dynamics with Tang Dynasty

During the Tang dynasty (established in 618 AD), relations between Chinese emperors and Turkic tribes impacted interactions with Tokharians.

Following Subarnadeva's death around 646 AD, his brother Ari Pushpa faced military retaliation from China after initial friendly ties turned hostile due to alliances with Turkic groups.

Consequences of Conflict

After fierce battles where Cuchians initially succeeded against a victorious general, they ultimately faced defeat leading to severe reprisals by Chinese forces which resulted in significant destruction within five cities.

History of the Uighurs and Tocharians in Mongolia

The Fall of the Uighur Empire

The White Turks in Mongolia witnessed the fall of the Uighur Empire around 840 AD due to an invasion by the Kirghiz.

Following their defeat, the Uighurs fled from Mongolia, seeking refuge first in Gansu and later in the Tarim Basin, particularly in Turfan.

Cultural Interactions and Language Extinction

The mixing of Uighurs with Tocharians led to a gradual extinction of the Tocharian language, attributed to a larger population of Uighurs.

Initially, while residing in Mongolia, Uighurs had converted to Manichaeism; however, upon contact with Tocharians, they gradually adopted Buddhism.

Religious Developments

By the 9th century, both Uighurs and Tocharians experienced a flourishing presence of Nestorian Christianity among them.

Many cultural remnants from the Tocharians would have persisted if not for the Uighur conversion to Islam at the beginning of the second millennium.

Unique Linguistic Traits

In a curious note about early 20th-century culture, residents of Kucha were noted for speaking in an unusual manner compared to other peoples in the Tarim Basin—they spoke in verse.