Maps of Indo-European progression in Central Asia - Map 1 c.6000 BC

The northern edge of the Caucasus Mountains between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea is the most probable homeland for the proto-Indo-Europeans, cut off as they would have been from their fellow Eurasiatic speakers (one branch of the post-glacial Nostratic language group).

These other Eurasiatic speakers would have occupied large tracts of territory themselves, probably including the main inland regions between the two seas.

Map 1 of 3. Go back, return home, or go to Far East Kingdoms: Indo-Europeans.

Maps of Indo-European progression in Central Asia - Map 2 c.4000 BC

The initial expansion of Indo-Europeans took place around 4000 BC, with one group heading southwards towards Anatolia and northern Mesopotamia.

The eastern route down the shores of the Caspian Sea used here is conjectural - they might just have easily used the western route down the Black Sea coast - but it's likely that the coastline offered the safest migratory route, travelling with horses and families and avoiding hostile populations inland.

The main body expanded into the Pontic-Caspian steppe, a vast stretch of plains to the north of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. The South IEs probably remained in touch with their northern kin until around 3500 BC.

Map 2 of 3. Go back, return home, or go to Far East Kingdoms: Indo-Europeans.

Maps of Indo-European progression in Central Asia - Map 3 c.3000 BC

The Indo-Europeans of the Pontic-Caspian steppe began to migrate out of their core territory around 3000 BC, based on estimates of language division, with many going west.

Those who remained behind - the Homeland IEs - either remained there permanently (such as today's Ossetians) or migrated eastwards - the East IEs who eventually integrated themselves into the Oxus Civilisation and then supplied those migrants which entered India and Iran.

Map 3 of 3. Go back, return home, or go to Far East Kingdoms: Indo-Europeans.

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