Geological studies in Mongolia have revealed nomadic burial mounds known as khirgisuur, dating back 3000 years.
At the Oyuut deposit in Mongolia, burial mounds related to the Bronze Age and the Middle Ages, approximately 3000 years old, belonging to the khirgisuur culture, have been identified.
Research aimed at uncovering Mongolia's mineral resources unexpectedly opened new aspects of the region's nomadic history.
During extensive studies at the Oyuut deposit, located in central Mongolia, scientists discovered a group of ancient burials that shed light on burial traditions that existed over a thousand years ago. This discovery demonstrates how geological exploration can intersect with archaeological finds while adhering to strict heritage conservation standards.
The data obtained were collected during exploratory work conducted by the state mining company Erdenet Mining Corporation (EMC) in coordination with the government, covering the territories of the Orkhon and Bulgan aimags, known as cultural centers of ancient steppe civilizations.
Exploration at the Oyuut deposit began in 2023, during which approximately 357 million tons of ore containing over 1.1 million tons of pure copper were confirmed, making this deposit one of the most significant recent discoveries in Mongolia.
However, in addition to the economic results, geological exploration teams encountered something much older. In 2024, during the research, 10 burial mounds known as khirgisuur were discovered. In accordance with Mongolia's cultural heritage legislation, all industrial activities in this area were temporarily suspended, and archaeologists were brought in to document and study the findings.
All ten burials were documented, including Bronze Age mounds, undated graves, and two medieval ones (8th–13th centuries).
Collaboration between the mining industry and archaeologists
The archaeological team from EMC collaborated with the Institute of Nomadic Archaeology at the National University of Mongolia (NUM). Field studies were conducted over several months and concluded in October, when a detailed archaeological report was compiled.
All ten graves were carefully excavated and documented. Four of them were accurately dated to the Bronze Age, four currently lack precise dating, and two belong to the Middle Ages, approximately the 8th to 13th centuries. The preservation of the burials, especially those from the Bronze Age, was recognized as high, considering the challenging climatic conditions of the region.
Among the artifacts found were bronze mirrors (toli), fragments of felt, animal bones, and various burial gifts. These items are characteristic of the traditions of steppe nomadic peoples, where personal belongings and symbolic items accompanied the deceased into the afterlife.
What are khirgisuur?
The term "khrigisuur" denotes a specific type of burial mounds found in Mongolia and other parts of Inner Asia. Khirgisuur, primarily dating to the late Bronze Age, are stone mounds often surrounded by additional structures, such as standing stones or remains of sacrificial animals. Scholars believe that these monuments served not only as graves but also as ceremonial landmarks that reinforced social memory and territorial identity among nomadic pastoralists.
The discovery of khirgisuur at the Oyuut deposit confirms that the Orkhon and Bulgan aimags have been important routes for nomadic movements and ritual activities for millennia.
A region with a rich steppe heritage
The Orkhon Valley, already listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, plays a significant role in the history of steppe empires, including the Turkic Khaganates and the Mongol Empire. New discoveries of burial mounds further deepen the understanding of this region, showing the continuity of ritual practices from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages.
Archaeological work at the Oyuut deposit covered an area of 1032 hectares, making it one of the most extensive cultural heritage studies in the context of mineral exploration in recent years.
As Mongolia seeks economic development while preserving cultural heritage, such discoveries highlight the importance of interaction between industry, government bodies, and scientific institutions. Beginning with the search for copper, the research led to the uncovering of traces of ancient peoples who shaped the Eurasian steppe long before modern borders emerged.
Tatar S.Maidar
source: MiddleAsianNews
