When did the ancient Turkic people first emerge as a distinct cultural and linguistic group?

The ancient Turkic people are a group of nomadic tribes that originated in Central Asia, with their language and culture spreading to surrounding regions over time. Scholars believe that the Turkic people emerged as a distinct cultural and linguistic group around 2000 years ago, with the earliest evidence of their existence found in the writings of Chinese historians during the Han dynasty.

The Turkic people were known for their equestrian lifestyle, and their horse-riding skills were among the best in the world. They were also known for their military prowess, and their nomadic way of life allowed them to move freely across vast expanses of land.

The Turkic people gradually spread throughout Central Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, establishing powerful empires and leaving a lasting impact on the regions they inhabited. Today, the Turkic people are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world, with over 170 million people identifying as ethnic Turks.