Preface to The transmission of the Avesta (original) (raw)

The transmission of Avestan texts, originating in Eastern Iran and dating back to the second half of the 2nd millennium BCE, has undergone complex transformations, particularly from the 13th/14th centuries onwards. Despite the emergence of numerous copies in the 17th century, the original form of these texts remains elusive, necessitating a rigorous analysis of their transmission for a proper understanding of the texts' linguistic, philological, and cultural significance. Historical perspectives on Avestan studies, ranging from skepticism about the manuscript tradition to renewed confidence in its methodologies, underscore the importance of these manuscripts in reconstructing the Avesta and highlight the evolution of scholarly interpretations over the 20th century.