Mongolian archaeological and historical research has always been fields of interest for both national and international scholars. One of the earliest, long-term Mongolian-Russian archaeological-ethnographical-historical expeditions was established in 1920. In 1990, research cooperation broadened with various international scientific institutional participations that included groups from the US, Japan, Russia, Korea, Germany, France, Turkey, Belgium, and Italy. Between 1990 and 1993 the joint Mongolian-Japanese team ‘Gurvan gol’ researched a variety of archaeological sites, burials, and ruins dating from the Palaeolithic to Late Historic periods at Onon, Herlen, Tuul, the Tree River basin.
In 1993, UNESCO sponsored the ‘Dialogue of the Silk Road’ in which 50 international and Mongolian scholars participated, traveling by land from Hovd in western Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar. The scholars presented lectures at each stop. The project culminated with an international conference in the capital city.
Between 1992 and 1996 the Mongolian Institute and the South Korean Dankuk University conducted the Oriental Mongolia expedition that investigated ancient relations and interaction between these two nations. The research report was published in Mongolian, Korean, and English languages in five volumes. Among other accomplishments, the research indicated that the Mongolians were making paper in thirteenth to fifteenth centuries. Beginning in 1997 the Mongolian Institute of Archaeology and the Korean National Museum archaeologists have organized the annual ‘Mon-Sol’ project with the object of understanding the interactions between culture and genealogy of both nations. Japanese archaeologists also have been consistently concerned about Mongolian history.
In 1996, the American-Eurasian Research Project surveyed surface finds, kurgans, and other archaeological monuments in Bayan Ulgii aimag (Altai Mountains) while studying contemporary Kazak nomads in the region. In 1999, Mongol archaeologists and the American-Eurasian Research Project team excavated a khereksur, a large stone-covered cultic site, located at Beiram (Uvs aimag, Altai Mountains), probably dating to the Bronze Age. A cultic offering was found near the center top of the mound that included a wooden box containing a ceramic pot filled with wheat, a Djungar bronze arrowhead, and a thin piece of wood with an inscription that dated this find to shortly after AD 1645. Included in a wide variety of artifacts were carved-wood zoomor-phic figures and more than 4000 astragals. After excavation, the mound was restored to its original configuration as local nomads continue to make cultic offerings as they cross the mountain pass. An undated iron smelter was also found in the vicinity of Beiram.
Since 1995, the Mongolian, Russian, American/ The University of Arizona/ joint Palaeolithic expedition has unearthed evidence that c. 700 000-750 000 years ago early hominids lived in present-day Mongolia. Before this discovery Mongolian and Russian archaeologist dated the earliest hominids in northern Asia some 200 000 years later.
The Altai Project, studying petroglyphs in the Altai Mountains since 1995, has discovered a substantial number of rock art sites, most notably those at Tsagaan Salaa and Baga Oigor. The remote Altai Mountains and valleys are also rich in surface archaeology: burial mounds dating to the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age, khereksur, and olenniye kamni deer stones. The olenniye kamni sculptures have been divided into two groups: those with zoomorphic depictions and those without. Both groups display other iconography such as incised necklaces, fighting and festive belts, and the short Scythian akinakes (sword). The Altai Project also noted Turkic period ritual sites; and balbal, the Turkic anthropomorphic stelae. Extensive petroglyphs provide significant cultural and artistic value to contribute to the understanding of these ancient societies, particularly of the Bronze Age in western Mongolia and the Altai region.
Beginning in 202, the Deer Stone Project was conducted by the Smithsonian Institution and various Mongolian government entities. Studies, including mapping, cataloging, scanning, and excavations adjacent to a number of the large elaborated olenniye kamni, have revealed varying iconographic styles. The stelae in this study are primarily in north-central Mongolia at the border of the steppe-taiga, although their distribution extends far westward in Eurasia. Preliminary results indicate that the monuments are thought to be the result of a transformation in religious and social changes, which took place after the first animal domestication and the development of new military technology. The iconography on the deer stones is probably the precursor of the ubiquitous animal-style art, a hallmark of the early Eurasian nomads. In association with the deer stone are khereksur, large stone mounds that have additional stone features incorporated into an extensive complex. Horse head burials, feasting ovals, and occasionally human burials are associated with these ritual complexes. Preliminary calibrated dates range from 3330 to 2150 BP, placing the olenniye kamni much earlier than previously believed.
The Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education (SCMRE) has sponsored the Archaeological Conservation Program that included collaborations with three archaeological projects. In the spring of 2005, they were involved for the third field year with the San Bartolo Archaeological Project (Peten region, Guatemala). Primary conservation activities with the Deer Stone Project in Hovsgol aimag were followed by a short stint with the Khanuy
Valley Project on Early Nomadic pastoralism in Arkhangai aimag.
One of the most important joint emergency surveys and excavations, the Egiin Gol Project, was conducted in the Egiin River valley in north-central Mongolia. Work began prior to 1997 and the project has registered and excavated whole archaeological heritages in the zone. Further north in Mongolia, the University of Michigan excavated a Bronze Age funerary complex. In the same valley the Mongolian Institute of Archaeology, in conjunction with the Regional Archaeological Center of the French Ministry of Culture, conducted Palaeolithic surveys, discovering eight new Palaeolithic sites in the area.
Since 1999, the Mongolian Institute of Archaeology, the German Archaeological Institute (KAVA), and the University of Bonn have managed the Karakorum Project located near the Orkhon River southwest of Ulaanbaatar. In addition to archaeological excavations, they also conducted Geomagnetic and Geological surveys.
Since 1992, under the direction of William Honey-church, American-Mongolian collaboration has conducted surveys and small-scale excavations in order to test ideas concerning the emergence of nomadic sociopolitical complexity at Baga Gazaryn Chuluu in the desert-steppe zone of the Middle Gobi. Bioarchaeological excavations are planned for this region.
The Mongolian Institute of Archaeology and the Musiie Guimet in France are also studying the Hsiung-nu Period. Since 2000 they have excavated tombs in Arkhangai aimag. The study and conservation of Turkic stone statues in Mongolia is being conducted in conjunction with the Turkish International Cooperating Agency (TICA). Their research has been successful in the Orkhon River valley at the Bilge Khaan and Kultigen sites.
The Mongolian Institute of Archaeology and the University of Pittsburgh Anthropology Department conducted multidisciplinary collaborative research in the Khannui River basin, Undur-Ulaan sum (county), Arkhangai aimag. Recently, the Richard Lug Foundation and Belgium Chinese Study Institute began the Mongolian Iron Age Project. The Italian National Research Institute has also commenced a GeoArchaeological study of the Gobi.
From 2001 to present the multiparty project, New Century, have excavated at the Aurag site, dating to the Genghis Khanite era.
See also: Asia, Central and North, Steppes, Deserts, and Forests; Asia, West: Achaemenian, Parthian, and Sasanian Persian Civilizations.
World History
