Rock Art and Archaeology: Investigating Ritual Landscape in the Mongolian Altai
FAIN: RZ-51171-10
East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN 37614-1710)
Richard D. Kortum (Project Director: November 2009 to January 2014)
Excavation and documentation of the Biluut petroglyph complex, a recently discovered Iron and Bronze Age rock art site in the Altai mountains of western Mongolia. (36 months)
The Biluut petroglyph complex is one of the most important rock art and archaeological localities in Inner Asia. Situated at sweet-water Khoton Lake on the Altai Mountain flanks bordering China, Kazakhstan, and Russia, Biluut has been an historic crossroads rich in game, domesticated animals, art, and history since glacial retreat released its glistening, polished rock surfaces 10,000 years ago. Biluut rock art is associated with a dense concentration of archaeological sites that offer opportunities to integrate art and history in ways rarely accomplished elsewhere. Radiocarbon dating and RTI imaging will be combined with advanced GIS mapping and excavations. Special focus will be given to Bronze and Iron Age periods where linkages between deer stones, khirigsuur and Pazyryk burials, and petroglyphs can be established. Among expected outcomes are new theories about the foundation of Scythian art and Mongolia's little-known role in pre-Genghis Asian history.
Associated Products
Rock Art and Archeology: Investigating Ritual Landscape in the Mongolian Altai Field Report 2012 (Web Resource)Title: Rock Art and Archeology: Investigating Ritual Landscape in the Mongolian Altai Field Report 2012
Author: Jamsranjav Bayarsaikhan
Author: Ming Archbold
Author: Laura Sharp
Author: William Fitzhugh
Author: Richard Kortum
Abstract: This monograph reports on archaeological and art historical field work carried out from 28 May through 5 July, 2012 by a joint American-Mongolian team at the Biluut Petroglyph Complex located approximately12km west of Sirgal on the northeastern shore of Khoton Nuur, in Bayan Ulgii aimag’s Tsengel soum. The year’s research comprises the second and final field season of a three-year project supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, with assistance from the Smithsonian Institution, East Tennessee State University, and the Mongolian National Museum. The 2012 project was joined for three weeks by an international field team led by Dr. Jean-Luc Houle of Western Kentucky University.
Year: 2012
Primary URL:
http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/pdf/MongoliaFieldReport2012_FINAL%20May%2020.pdfPrimary URL Description: The URL is on the Smithsonian Institution's website.