China: Kharoshthi script. 2nd-5th century CE, Yingpan, Xinjiang. The Kharoṣṭhī script is an ancient abugida (or "alphasyllabary") used by the Gandhara culture of Pakistan, nestled in the historic northwest South Asia to write the Gāndhārī and Sanskrit languages. It was in use from the middle of the 3rd century BCE until it died out in its homeland around the 3rd century CE. It was also in use in Kushan, Sogdiana and along the Silk Road where there is some evidence it may have survived until the 7th century in the remote way stations of Khotan and Niya.

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Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
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