This commercial document, probably dating from the second half of the eighth century, is a unique find on the Eastern Silk Road. Discovered at Dandan-Uiliq in north Khotan it is probably the oldest surviving document of any length in New Persian, and unlike other manuscripts of this early period it is written in Judaeo-Persian, the language used by Jews and written most often in their own script, in Hebrew characters. The document includes references to trading sheep and the sale of garments.
Ink on paper
The British Library,
Or.8212/166 (D.XIII)