A recent archaeological discovery in Dornod Province, Mongolia, has unearthed an elite tomb dating from the pre-Mongol period, shedding new light on a historically obscure moment between the fall of the Khitan Empire and the rise of the Mongol Empire. This finding, part of the Mongolian-Israeli-American Archaeological Project, offers a fascinating glimpse into the funerary practices, social organization, and trade networks of the time and could redefine the current understanding of political and cultural developments in the Mongolian steppe during the 12th and 13th centuries.

The period between the fall of the Khitan Empire (c. 1125 AD) and the rise of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan in 1206 AD has historically been confusing and poorly documented. While historical sources offer fragmentary descriptions of the events leading to the rise of the Mongols, these accounts are often tinged with hindsight and usually reflect the perspective of an already consolidated empire. In this context, archaeology becomes a crucial tool in unraveling the details of the social, political, and cultural dynamics of the region during this period.

The discovery of this tomb at a site known as “Cluster 27” within the ancient fortified complex of Khar Nuur adds a significant piece to the archaeological puzzle. The complex is located near the northeastern border of Mongolia, a strategic area that was once a stronghold of the Khitan Empire, known for its extensive network of walls and fortifications.

A plan of the tomb excavated in Khar Nuur
A plan of the tomb excavated in Khar Nuur. Credit: Amartuvshin Chunag et al.

The tomb was discovered during a systematic excavation carried out in the summer of 2018 at Cluster 27, a circular structure believed to have been part of a border fortress of the Khitan Empire. However, what makes this find particularly interesting is that the tomb appears to have been constructed after the fort was abandoned, suggesting a reuse of the space during a time of political transition.

The site, located approximately 1.4 km west of Lake Khar Nuur, contains a large circular structure and a smaller rectangular enclosure within it. It was in the outer wall of this enclosure that archaeologists discovered a well-preserved tomb dating from between 1158 and 1214 AD. The tomb contained a wooden coffin with the skeleton of an adult woman aged between 40 and 60 years, dressed in a yellow silk cloak and adorned with valuable objects.

Preliminary analysis of the human remains suggests that the woman, though leading an active life, suffered from osteoarthritis and had lost nearly all her teeth before she died, indicating a limited diet or difficulties in chewing in her later years. The body was found in a wooden coffin made of larch or pine, oriented towards the northeast and partially covered by a layer of tree bark, possibly also larch or pine.

Remains of a bird bark object, probably the helmet that belongs to a woman
Remains of a birch bark object, probably the helmet that belongs to a woman. Credit: Amartuvshin Chunag et al.

Alongside the body, archaeologists discovered a series of valuable and complex objects, indicating the high status of the woman in her community. Among these objects were a decorated bronze cup, an iron knife, coral and glass beads, and several gold and silver pieces, including a bracelet and gold earrings. The presence of these objects, especially the gold and silver ornaments, suggests the existence of trade and cultural connections with other regions, likely including northern China and the Manchuria region, controlled at that time by the Jurchen Jin state.

One of the most notable finds is a small bronze cup, decorated with geometric figures and finely incised lines, which has no clear parallel among other medieval objects found in Mongolia, suggesting a unique piece or a connection to a specific yet unidentified craft tradition. Additionally, fragments of a wooden object covered with leather and framed in bronze were found, whose function is unclear but could have been a quiver or a case for a bow and arrows, typical items in the burials of male elites from the Mongol imperial period.

Another remarkable artifact is a silver cup, fragmented into 26 parts, but originally about 17 cm in diameter. The cup, decorated with gilded strips and incised motifs, appears to have no exact parallel, although similar artifacts have been found in medieval Mongol period tombs.

Remains of a decorated bronze container
Remains of a decorated bronze container. Credit: Amartuvshin Chunag et al.

The discovery of this elite tomb is significant not only for the objects it contained but also for what it reveals about funerary practices and social organization during a period of change and transition. The reuse of an abandoned border site for the burial of a member of the elite suggests that the old Khitan fortifications were not only military centers but also places of symbolic and cultural importance that endured beyond the fall of the empire.

Moreover, this finding suggests that during the period of political consolidation in Mongolia, between the fall of the Khitan and the rise of the Mongols, local communities maintained and adapted the cultural practices of their predecessors, integrating them into emerging new social structures. The mix of luxury items, such as the gold and silver ornaments, with local elements, reflects a society in transition, influenced by both its nomadic traditions and the cultural influences of neighboring civilizations.

SOURCES

Amartuvshin Chunag, Gideon Shelach-Lavi, et al., An elite grave of the pre-Mongol period, from Dornod Province, Mongolia. Archaeological Research in Asia, Volume 39, September 2024, 100537. doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2024.100537

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