Kurykans

The Kurykans (also spelled Quryqan or Kurikan) were a Siberian people inhabiting the region around Lake Baikal and the upper Yenisey River in the 6th to 8th centuries CE. They are believed to be Turkic-speaking, though some scholars propose connections to other language families. The Kurykans are significant in historical discussions primarily due to their potential role as ancestors, or closely related to, several later Siberian groups, including the Yakuts (Sakha).

Historical information about the Kurykans is primarily derived from Chinese historical texts, specifically those of the Tang dynasty. These accounts describe them as skilled ironworkers and horse breeders. They are credited with developing a unique type of saddle which played a role in their military success.

The Kurykans engaged in conflicts and trade with neighboring peoples. Eventually, they seem to have fragmented and assimilated into other groups, or migrated northwards, potentially contributing to the ethnogenesis of the Yakuts. The extent of their direct influence on the Yakuts is debated, as other Turkic and indigenous Siberian groups likely played a role. However, linguistic similarities and shared cultural traits provide support for the Kurykan connection. The decline of the Kurykan polity likely occurred due to a combination of internal factors and pressure from expanding neighboring groups. The legacy of the Kurykans is primarily historical, relying on limited textual evidence and archaeological findings.