Elite Grave Found in Abandoned Mongolian Fortress Reveals Rich History

In 2022, a surprising discovery was made within the walls of an abandoned fortress in northeastern Mongolia, shedding new light on a historically obscure period. An international team of archaeologists uncovered an elite grave dating back to the post-Kitan, pre-Mongol era—a time frame that has been historically elusive. This discovery offers valuable insights into the social and political landscape of Mongolia during a period between the fall of the Kitan-Liao Empire and the rise of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan.

The Kitan-Liao Empire and the Forgotten Period

The Kitan-Liao Empire (916–1125 AD) once dominated vast regions of Central and Eastern Mongolia, establishing a sophisticated and far-reaching civilization. However, after its collapse, the historical narrative becomes murky, with few records and archaeological remains surviving from the intervening years before the Mongol Empire’s ascendance in 1206 AD. This "forgotten period" is often overlooked in both historical and archaeological studies, creating a gap in our understanding of the region's past.

Professor Gideon Shelach-Lavi, a leading archaeologist on the project, emphasized the challenges in studying this period:

"Mongolia is a vast country, and relatively little archaeological research has been conducted in some of its regions. The area where the grave was found is archaeologically underexplored, and our project is among the first to target it."

The findings from this valuable archaeological evidence have just been published in the journal Archaeological Research in Asia, adding to our knowledge of this time.

The fortress where the grave was discovered, known as Khar Nuur, is part of a larger network of walls and fortresses that stretched over 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The fortress, along with its walls and accompanying ditch, spans approximately 737 kilometers (458 miles). This extensive network reflects the strategic and military importance of the region during medieval times, serving as a frontier defense against invasions and controlling trade routes.

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Khar Nuur grave plan, including elevation measurements, profile view and numbered indicators of where artifacts were found. (Amartuvshin Chunag et al./Archaeological Research in Asia)

Discovery of the Elite Grave

The burial site was found by chance within the walls of Khar Nuur. The grave, which was unmarked above ground, contained the remains of a woman estimated to have lived between 1158 and 1214 AD. Radiocarbon dating placed her age at death between 40 and 60 years. She was buried in a shallow grave, lying face-up in a wooden coffin.

The artifacts found within the grave suggest that the woman was a member of the elite. She was adorned in a yellow silk robe and wore a headdress reminiscent of the bogtag malgai, a traditional medieval women's hat. Among the grave goods were gold earrings, a silver cup, a bronze vessel, a gold bracelet, and beads made of coral and glass—luxuries that indicate her high social standing.

Many of the artifacts found were of non-local origin, further emphasizing the wealth and connections of the woman. The silk robe likely came from southern China, and the wood used in the coffin was sourced from trees native to regions 150 to 300 kilometers (93 to 186 miles) away. These findings suggest a network of trade and cultural exchange that reached far beyond the immediate region.

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Remains of a decorated bronze vessel found in the grave. (Amartuvshin Chunag et al./Archaeological Research in Asia)

A Unique Yet Familiar Burial

Although the woman's grave shares some characteristics with other Mongolian burials from this period, it also displays unique features. The grave's orientation to the north, the use of a wooden coffin, and the inclusion of material goods are consistent with other contemporary burials. However, it lacks certain elements commonly found in graves of this era, such as stone markers or pottery. Instead, the bronze vessel and silver cup may have served similar symbolic purposes.

The richness and diversity of the grave goods, despite the modest size of the burial, surprised the researchers. Professor Shelach-Lavi notes:

"The variety of artifacts and materials found, and their diverse origins, suggest a network of connections that are unknown from historical records of the time."

The placement of the grave within the walls of an earlier fortress raises further questions about the woman's identity and the significance of her burial site.

Remains of a birch bark object, likely the headgear belonging to a woman. (Amartuvshin Chunag et al./Archaeological Research in Asia)

Ongoing Research and Future Discoveries

The Khar Nuur woman’s grave bears similarities to those found in the Tavan Tolgoi cemetery, nearly 500 kilometers (311 miles) southwest. The burials at Tavan Tolgoi are believed to represent elite and royal lineages, suggesting that the Khar Nuur woman also belonged to a prestigious family with significant political influence.

Why she was buried within the fortress walls remains a mystery. The fortress may have symbolized prestige, making it a fitting resting place for someone of her status, or perhaps her burial there served to reinforce the local community's claim over the territory.

The archaeological team continues to investigate the region, focusing on the series of long walls and fortresses built during the medieval period. They are also exploring other graves in the area to gain a better understanding of the people who lived and died there.

"This year, we located a large graveyard north of where we work, and we will excavate one or more graves to get a better idea of their date and content," Professor Shelach-Lavi explained.

As ongoing research unfolds, the artifacts and burial practices from this period will continue to offer valuable insights into the complex history of Mongolia between the Kitan-Liao and Mongol empires. These discoveries may help fill the gaps in our understanding of this transitional era and provide a richer picture of the cultural and political developments that shaped the rise of the Mongol Empire.

Top image: Drone photo of the place of the discovery in the northeast of Mongolia.  Source: Amartuvshin Chunag et al./Archaeological Research in Asia

By Gary Manners