A collection of literary texts, business letters and military orders from the 8th century AD, written in an Indo-Scythian dialect.

A collection of documents written in Ancient Khotan, but in a dialect of the Śakas, or Indo-Scythians from the first century BC onwards.

A close commentary on the establishment of the Khotanese text, The Book of Zambasta.

In this third volume covering the flourishing period from the third to the eighth century A.D., scholars describe the powerful role played by the Sasanian state in Iran, the Gupta empire in India and the T'ang dynasty in China. Waves of nomadic migrations and the formation of steppe empires left their mark on political and social life. This multiethnic society had its roots in the great religious traditions of Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, Christianity and Shamanism. The Islamization of a great part of the region brought fundamental changes to all aspects of life. Intensive trade along the Silk Route encouraged cultural and scientific exchanges, making this period one of impressive artistic and intellectual creativity.