THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN KHERLEN RIVER VALLEY

Abstract

Archaeological field-survey and limited excavations took place in the Kherlen Valley between 25^th August and 11^th September 2009.  The project established a field-base close to Talyn Tolgoi, a small hill, some 19 km to the east of the regional centre of Mongonmorit and 150 km east of Ulaanbaatar. 

The project developed from a short reconnaissance in 2008, which located a number of sites in the Kherlen valley, as well as the complex archaeological site of Talyn Tolgoi (Fig. 1, Fig. 2). The principal research aim was to undertake a landscape study of the valley, to locate sites of every period, and record surface remains, together with limited excavations to obtain dating and cultural evidence.

The project had two elements – survey and excavation. The survey element undertook a detailed stone-by-stone survey of the remains on Talyn Tolgoi, at a scale of 1.500, revealing over 150 individual graves (Fig. 3), mostly dating from the Bronze Age (c. 2000-800 BCE). Survey was also undertaken more generally along the valley and its side valleys, locating mostly cemetery sites dating from the Bronze Age, Hunnu (200 BCE-300CE) and Turkic periods (6^th-9^thcenturies CE). An important monastic site was also recorded. Methods of survey included the use of a total station to plot surface remains, a hand-held GPS to provide general location and orientation information, and digital photography.