At 08:22 AM 5/27/98 -0400, Michael Witzel wrote: >>Avestan is often MORE archaic than the frequently INNOVATIVE Rgvedic. Isnt it the case, that the centre innovates and the peripheral areas retain archisms ? Considering that these are oral traditions - doesnt this weaken your case of making the Rgveda contemporary to the Avesta ? Subrahmanya Houston, TX