A team of archaeologists led by Professors Gideon Shelach-Lavi from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Amartuvshin Chunaga from the National University of Mongolia and William Honeychurch from Yale University, has unearthed an elite grave dating back to the pre-Mongol period in Dornod Province, Mongolia. This finding, part of the Mongol-Israeli-American Archaeological Project, sheds new light on a poorly understood era on the Mongolian plateau, spanning the collapse of the Kitan Empire around 1125 CE to the rise of the Mongol Empire under Chinggis Khan in 1206 CE.
The Khar Nuur burial, as it is now known, was found within the enclosure wall of a Kitan-era frontier fortress. The grave, which likely postdates the use of the fortress, contains the remains of an older woman, suggesting she belonged to a prestigious lineage with significant political standing. This discovery provides crucial insights into the local communities, their networks, and their organization during the 12th century CE—a period marked by post-imperial destabilization and intense political competition.
Archaeological Context and Significance
The Mongol-Israeli-American Archaeological Project has been conducting surveys and excavations along Kitan frontier 'long-walls' in northeastern Mongolia since 2018. The discovery of the Khar Nuur burial is one of the most significant findings of the project, offering valuable evidence of the cultural and political shifts that occurred in the lead-up to the rise of the Mongol Empire.
Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the choice of burial location:
1. The Khar Nuur steppe nomads may have perceived the abandoned Kitan fortress as part of their own history and indigenous territory, using it to affirm local identity and social memory.
2. The fortress may have held symbolic prestige, making it a fitting site for the burial of a leading community member.
3. The burial could have been a deliberate display of power and territorial possession amid the political competition of the time.
These theories, while not mutually exclusive, offer a combined explanation for the social and political processes taking place on the eastern steppe during the post-Kitan period. As imperial authority waned and steppe groups vied for control, the Khar Nuur burial stands as a poignant symbol of identity, memory, and power in a time of transition.
Historical Implications
The discovery adds a vital piece to the puzzle of Mongolian history, providing a deeper understanding of the events and communities that shaped the region before the rise of the Mongol Empire. It offers valuable insights into how local communities maintained their networks and organization during a period of significant change and political competition.
"The Khar Nuur burial represents a unique window into the complex social and political landscape of 12th century Mongolia," added Prof. Shelach-Lavi. "It demonstrates how local elites may have used symbolic connections to past empires to legitimize their own power and status, even as they navigated a rapidly changing political environment."
This remarkable find not only enriches our understanding of pre-Mongol Empire Mongolia but also highlights the importance of continued archaeological research in uncovering the nuanced history of the region. As further analysis of the burial and its contents continues, researchers anticipate gaining even more insights into this pivotal period in Mongolian and world history.
The research paper titled “An elite grave of the pre-Mongol period, from Dornod Province, Mongolia” is now available in Archaeological Research in Asia and can be accessed at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352226724000382?via%3Dihub
Title: Excavated Burial Site
Description: Drone photo of Cluster 27 in northeastern Mongolia. A red circle marks the location of the excavated burial. The inset map shows the location of Cluster 27 in red and two other enclosure sites along the long wall (Clusters 23 and 24) in black.
Credit Dan Golan
Title: Gold Bracelet and Two Earrings
Credit: Tal Rogovsky
Researchers:
Amartuvshin Chunaga, Gideon Shelach Lavib, William Honeychurchc, Batdalai Byambatserena, Orit Shamird, Uuriintuya Munkhtura, Daniela Wolinb, Shuzhi Wange, Nofar Shamirf
Institutions:
a Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
b Department of Asian Studies, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
c Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
d Department of Museums and Exhibits of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Jerusalem, Israel
e Archaeological Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China
f Department of Archaeology, Haifa University, Israel
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 81st according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en
