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 Chunag^a, Gideon Shelach Lavi^b,  William Honeychurch^c, Batdalai Byambatseren^a, Orit Shamir^d, Uuriintuya Munkhtur^a, Daniela Wolin^b, Shuzhi Wang^e, Nofar Shamir^f

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 81^st 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

 

 

 

PhD student Lena Dubinsky and Prof. Leore Grosman from the Computational Archaeology Laboratory at the Hebrew University’s Institute of Archaeology have pioneered a new method to study rock engravings, merging technological and visual analysis to uncover the intricate details behind ancient techniques. Utilizing the in-house developed ArchCUT3-D software, which allows a computational analysis of the three dimensional traits of rock engravings, the research showcases an innovative approach that provides new insights into the production processes and cultural significance of engravings found in Timna Park, southern Israel.

Historically, rock engravings have been examined primarily through their visual characteristics using comparative and interpretative methodologies. While recent works have focused on identifying production processes, these studies often neglected the visual outcomes. Dubinsky and Prof. Grosman’s research bridges this gap by using computational analysis to integrate both technological and visual aspects, offering a comprehensive understanding of ancient engraving practices.

"We employed ArchCUT3-D software to conduct a detailed analysis of 3-D data from various rock engravings. This method allowed us to extract micro-morphological evidence from engraved lines, decoding technical trends and variabilities in the execution of these ancient artworks. By examining a specific group of engraved figures, we established a link between the techniques used and the visual considerations guiding them," explains Lena Dubinsky.

Based on their findings, the researchers propose the term "Techné" to describe the choice of technique that goes beyond mere practicality, encompassing the intentional design and cultural concepts embedded in the engravings. This integrative approach challenges the traditional dichotomy between visual and technological research, presenting a unified framework for understanding ancient production acts.

The study highlights how social structures and individual actions influence production methods, suggesting that the decisions related to technique selection are reflective of broader sociocultural contexts. This perspective offers a richer narrative of ancient engravers' cognitive and material interactions, providing deeper insights into their cultural and technological environment.

The research underscores the potential of digital tools in archaeological studies. Their methodology not only advances the study of rock engravings but also sets a precedent for exploring other archaeological artifacts. By identifying "techno-visual codes" and the “fingerprints” of engraved complexes, this approach enhances our ability to understand the cultural and technological nuances of ancient societies.

"This study marks a significant step forward in archaeological research, combining advanced computational analysis with a nuanced understanding of ancient techniques and visual styles. It opens new avenues for exploring the interplay between technology and visuality in historical contexts, promising to deepen our knowledge of the past," says Prof. Grosman.

The research paper titled “Techné of Rock Engravings—the Timna Case Study” is now available in  Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10816-024-09658-5.

Researchers:

Lena Dubinsky^1,2,3, Leore Grosman¹

Institution:

1. Computational Archaeology Laboratory, Institute of Archaeology, The Hebrew University
2. Ceramics and Glass Design Department, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design
3. Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, The Hebrew University

Pictures:

Stela engraving scanning process. (Credit: Liron Narunsky)

 

Stela engraving: annotated 3-D model (a); photograph (b). Annotation based on the analytical study of the micromorphology. (Credit: Liron Narunsky)