It is possible that other distinct dialect groups were already in existence during this period. Good candidates are the hypothethical ancestor languages of Alanian/Scytho-Sarmatian subgroup of Scythian in the far northwest; and the hypothetical "Old Parthian" (the Old Iranian ancestor of Parthian) in the near northwest, where original *dw > *b (paralleling the development of *ćw). COUNT 3
QSN1 What may have also been in use at the time? ANS1 other distinct dialect groups QSN2 Precursors of what subset of Scythian are theorized to have existed? ANS2 Alanian/Scytho-Sarmatian QSN3 What possible predecessor of Pathian is thought to have existed? ANS3 Old Parthian