Langenesis

Indo-European family

Younger Avestan

c. 900 BCE – 400 BCE Classical

Younger Avestan (c. 900 BCE – 400 BCE) is a classical Indo-European language. Lineage: Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Indo-Iranian → Proto-Iranian → Old Avestan → Younger Avestan.

See Younger Avestan on the interactive map

Language of most of the Avesta (Yashts, Vendidad). Not a direct continuation of the Gathic dialect in every respect. Still recited in Zoroastrian liturgy.

Lineage

  1. Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4,500 BCE – 2,500 BCE
  2. Proto-Indo-Iranianc. 2,500 BCE – 1,800 BCE
  3. Proto-Iranianc. 1,800 BCE – 1,000 BCE
  4. Old Avestanc. 1,500 BCE – 900 BCE
  5. Younger Avestanc. 900 BCE – 400 BCE

Sources