"J. P. Mallory and Victor Mair describe the discovery of the enigmatic mummies, and reveal the latest attempts of Chinese and Western scientists to explain their origin and ethnic identity. The book examines the clues left by physical remains; their economy, technology and textiles (some of the mummies even wore tartans); and the later traces of the languages of the Tarim region. The trail ultimately leads to two major contenders: the Indo-Iranians, the masters of the Eurasian steppes who poured south into the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, India and China, and the Tocharians, the most elusive of the major branches of Indo-Europeans."--BOOK JACKET.