Scythian Culture - Preservation of The Frozen Tombs of The Altai Mountains (UNESCO)

PRESERVATION OF THE FROZEN TOMBS OF THE ALTAI MOUNTAINS
Fig. 8 Turkic period
memorial enclosure,
image stone and
balbal seen from the
west. Valley of the
Sogoo Gol, Bayan
Ölgiy aimag,
Mongolia.
© Gary Tepfer.
In the case of surface structures, we continue to
find new variations on old typological themes, as
well as a ritual preoccupation with the cardinal
directions. Burial mounds are organized in lines
running roughly from north to south, while small
standing stones (balbal) are often set in straight
lines running out from the east side of the
mounds. In many cases, the eastmost of these
stones are marked by two specific elements:
unusual colouration and texture and a carving
that suggests a human form facing to the east.
This shaped aspect recalls the particular kind
of stone known as “deer stone,” which appeared
in a number of forms across north Mongolia,
Tuva, the Altai Republic and into northern
China during the late Bronze and early Iron Ages.
Within the Mongolian Altai, there are at least
five “deer stones” embellished with a human face
and one known case in the Chuya steppe. Like the
simple standing stones, the shaped “deer stones”,
and the balbal, these stones with human faces
reaffirm the significance of the direction east.
This and the general concern for directionality
coincide with all the indications of the actual
early nomadic burial ritual.
Monuments of the Hunnu (Xiongnu) period
(late first millennium bce – 5 th c. ce) have been
only occasionally attested in the high Altai
region, and we are not certain which rock art,
if any, may be associated with that period
of nomadic culture. Materials relating to the
Turkic period (c. early 6 th – late 8 th c. ce and later)
are much clearer. They indicate that the ritual
preoccupations that seem to have shaped the
more ancient archaeology of the Altai reached
their final expressive form with the archaeology
of the Turks. Rock-pecked or engraved images
indicate a preoccupation with riding, hunting
and combat, as well as a great delight in the
apparel and weaponry of the mounted rider.
In addition to a burial ritual remarkably
similar to that of the Early Iron Age nomads, the
Turks built framed memorial enclosures aligned
to the cardinal directions and displaying, also, an
acute interest in contrasts of stone colouration
and texture. In some cases these enclosures would
include within their frames or on their east side
tall stones of a vaguely anthropomorphic
reference. That these simple stones were intended
to refer to human figures is indicated by the many
Turkic figures that take their place on the east side
of the commemoration structure. Within the
Russian Altai, most of these figures have been
removed from their original settings. Within the
Mongolian Altai, however, most can still be found
in situ and obeying a specific formula: the figures
always appear to be male warriors, and with their
right hand they hold a cup or vessel before their
chest, while with their left hand they grasp a belt
or a hanging sword. Embellished by earrings,
small beards and fine mustaches, these figures
look steadfastly to the east. In almost all cases
their view was once extended to the east by a long
row of small standing stones (balbal) (Fig. 8).
In effect, the great period of Altai archaeology
ends with the Turkic period. Even with that,
however, the cultures that left vivid traces across
the high Altai region created a steady tradition
lasting many thousands of years. Stone monuments
and rock-pecked and engraved images
cover the high Altai like a fine cultural web. Yet,
despite its solidity, that stone is vulnerable to
impacts brought into the Altai region by climate
change and a globalized economy. With the melting
of the permafrost, burials are sinking and
their preserved contents are deteriorating.
Standing stones and Turkic images are literally
disappearing into the earth. The influx of tourists
into the high mountain regions has also resulted
in the degradation and theft of unguarded materials.
In these several respects, the integrity of
the Altai’s ancient cultural heritage is now seriously
threatened.
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