> does anyone have any information on obscure ancient languages such as
> Kaskian, Mysian, Gutian, and the Lullubi tribes?
Kaskian and also Hattic (the pre-Hittite language of Central Anatolia) are
now thought to have affinities with the North-West Caucasian Adyghe-Abkhaz
languages. Research in this area has been carried out by Vladimir Ardzinba,
a native Abkhaz and president of the breakaway republic of Abkhazia. Another
prominent authority is Prof. George (B.G.) Hewitt, Professor of Caucasian
Languages at the London University School of Oriental and African Studies,
whose wife is a native Abkhaz. He edited a recent book 'The Abkhaz',
publ. by Curzon Press in 1999. A companion volume in the same series is
'The Circassians' by Amjad Jaimoukha. You will find references on the topic
you have raised in both of these titles.
Mysian is, I believe, another of the 'Anatolian' languages contemporary
with the later Hittite period. Luwian and Palaic are probably genetically related
to Hittite. Mysian is thought to be related to Phrygian and Thracian, and therefore
probably Indo-European (but I stand to be corrected on this). There is a very
good description of this areal grouping of ancient languages in 'The Hittites'
(Ch.6) by O.R. Gurney (1952), Penguin Books (reprinted in 1975 by Book Club
Associates). However, Mysian is not mentioned in this work, as its speakers
arrived in Anatolia somewhat later than the Hittite period (nor is Kaskian,
though the Kaskian tribes located along the Pontic Coast of Anatolia, are
referred to as a constant irritant to the Hittite Empire).
I understand that Gutian is thought to have Indo-European affinities, but I
have no precise knowledge. Am I correct in thinking that the Guti originated
in the Zagros Mts. circa 1800 BCE?
Lullubi is new to me. It too appears to have been located in the Northern Zagros
region, with a connection to Luristan (the famous Luristan bronzes?). I have been
unable to trace its affinities. It sounds as though it ought be related to Subarean/
Hurrian/Urartian, but seems to be located too far to the south-east for that to be
a likely connection. Is there a possible link with Elamite (which is thought to be
related to Dravidian and the languages of the Indus Valley (Harrapa and Mohenjo-
Daro)?
Regards
Geoff Powers