An annotated bibliography on Irk Bitig and Turkis runic letters written on paper

This annotated bibliography covers the published works related to Irk Bitig and Turkish runic script texts written on paper. It evaluates the current body of knowledge in this field by examining the studies conducted on Irk Bitig and other Turkish runic script texts written on paper, and contributes to this area. During the literature review, comprehensive research was conducted by consulting various sources, including researchers' books, articles, relevant journals, and proceedings from international Turkish language congresses. Irk Bitig is the only Old Turkic book written in runic script that has survived to the present day in Turkish literature. It was discovered in the Thousand Buddha Caves in East Turkistan, and its only extant manuscript is preserved in the British Museum in England. It was first studied by V. Thomsen and is dated to approximately the mid-eighth century to the early ninth century. The work consists of 104 pages and includes 65 omens and a conclusion section. Each omen contains a circle of fortune, followed by the omen text, and finally, a result indicating whether the omen is good or bad. Although this text was written in a Manichaean environment and contains religious elements, it is not a religious work. Notable scholars who have worked on Irk Bitig include V. Thomsen, Hüseyin Namık Orkun, Malov, Marcel Erdal, Hamilton, Ikeda, Talat Tekin, Klyaştornıy, Zieme, and Fikret Yıldırım. Studies on Irk Bitig and Turkish runic script texts written on paper, conducted between 1912 and 2024, have been compiled comprehensively. A total of 105 sources have been identified by reviewing both local and international resources. This bibliography is expected to contribute to those working in the field of Turkology.