Old Sogdian Unicode Characters page 1

The Old Sogdian script is one of the oldest scripts used by the Sogdians, an ancient Iranian people whose homeland was centered in what is now Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Sogdian language was an important lingua franca along the Silk Road, playing a crucial role in the trade and cultural exchanges between East and West. The Old Sogdian script is found in a variety of inscriptions and manuscripts, including religious texts related to Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, and Buddhism. It predates the more commonly known Sogdian script, which was used in later periods. By including Old Sogdian in Unicode, scholars can digitally encode and analyze ancient documents, which are critical for understanding the history and cultural interactions of Central Asia. Its preservation in the digital realm ensures that this historically significant script remains accessible for research and education..