Avestan is an extinct, ancient Indo-Iranian language that was used by Zoroastrians in ancient Persia around 1000 BC. That language became extinct some time later, but a form of the language (Young Avestan) was likely spoken up until about the 9th century CE when it too became extinct. Although there are no native speakers, Avestan is still used in sacral rites and scriptures of Zoroastrianism. There are a few pockets of Zoroastrianism extant in Iran, and more adherents in the Indian state of Gujarat, centered in Mumbai (Bombay). In India a Zoroastrian is known as a Parsi or Parsee. •See also Indo-Iranian languages. Ref: Ethnologue, Wikipedia