Tangut was a historical region located in what is now northwestern China, known for its unique culture and language. It was the center of the Western Xia dynasty, which flourished from the 11th to the 13th centuries. The Tangut people developed their own script and made significant contributions to art, literature, and Buddhism. The Tangut language is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family and is distinct from both Chinese and Tibetan. The dynasty fell to the Mongol Empire in the 13th century, leading to the decline of Tangut culture and language, which eventually became extinct.