Origin of the Alans

[Alanus]

Thanks for additional details, Michael

As the Han Shu noted, the Wusun lived west of the Yuezhi... at least before the migration of both tribes began; and as I noted in post #15, when fleeing from the Huns the Yuezhi ran through Wusun territory, killing Kun'-mo's father (the Wusun chieftain). One reason I prefer the Han Shu over the Shiji is its additional material not mentioned by Sima Qian. The writer of Han Shu used records on bamboo going back to the Qin dynasty. You probably noticed the birth legend of Kun'-mo is remarkably similar to the Romulus & Remus tale, except the Roman version has a wolf and woodpecker. Supposedly, the Wusun were thereafter known informally as "People of the Crow." The Roman version seems to be modified and the bird disappears; Romans really didn't want to be known as "People of the Woodpecker."

The birth and success story of Kun'-mo punctuates the origin of "bad blood" between two tribes once living side by side. This brings us back to the Orlat belt plaques, which still have not been dated yet found in the heart of Sogdiana. Perhaps, in our case, a precise date is unimportant. Judging from the costumes, armor, bows, and swords, we can place our combatants around 100 BC to the turn of the Common Era. Considering the precise artistic style, and comparing the horses to an identical counterpart on the Pazyryk wall hanging, we are looking at the work of either a Yuezhi or Wusun craftsman, a "scrimshander." This is not the product of a native Sogdian (aka, Kanju).

Among weapons, the sword style is unique and accurately rendered. I don't want this post to become too long. But here is the full view of the Orlat battle scene, in all probability the Yuezhi and Wusun-- or Yuezhi and Sakarauli-- in one of several conflicts. Check the swords out. Where did they come from? And where, geographically, would they appear next?