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Archaeological Investigations of Xiongnu Sites in the Tamir River

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Archaeological Investigations of Xiongnu Sites in the Tamir River Archaeological Investigations of Xiongnu Sites in the Tamir River Valley Results of the 2005 Joint American-Mongolian Expedition to Tamiryn Ulaan Khoshuu, Ogii nuur, Arkhangai aimag, Mongolia David E. Purcell and Kimberly C. Spurr Flagstaff, Arizona (USA) During the summer of 2005 an archaeological investigations, and What is known points to this area archaeological expedition jointly their results, are the focus of this as one of the most important mounted by the Silkroad Foun- article, which is a preliminary and cultural regions in the world, a fact dation of Saratoga, California, incomplete record of the project recently recognized by the U.S.A. and the Mongolian National findings. Not all of the project data UNESCO through designation of University, Ulaanbataar, investi- — including osteological analysis of the Orkhon Valley as a World gated two sites near the the burials, descriptions or maps Heritage Site in 2004 (UNESCO confluence of the Tamir River with of the graves, or analyses of the 2006). Archaeological remains the Orkhon River in the Arkhangai artifacts — is available as of this indicate the region has been aimag of central Mongolia (Fig. 1). writing. Consequently, the greater occupied since the Paleolithic (circa The expedition was permitted emphasis falls on one of the two 750,000 years before present), (Registration Number 8, issued sites. It is hoped that through the with Neolithic sites found in great June 23, 2005) by the Ministry of Silkroad Foundation, the many numbers. As early as the Neolithic Education, Culture and Science of different collections from this period a pattern developed in Mongolia. The project had multiple project can be reunited in a which groups moved southward goals: archaeological investiga- scholarly publication. onto the steppes from the Taiga, tions of the Iron Age Xiongnu adopted pastoralism in some form, culture in central Mongolia, Research Design and Project and eventually moved south and instruction of Mongolian university Methodology west. Whether the movement was students and Silkroad Foundation in response to pressure from other volunteers in archaeological field Central Mongolia contains a rich, groups to the north or east methods, and cultural exchange deep, and varied archaeological (pushing) or new opportunities to between Mongolians and record that is, unfortunately, the south and west (pulling) Americans. These activities, far poorly known outside of Mongolia remains an important arena of from being discrete, were and the Russian-speaking research, but the pattern was inseparably part of the everyday archaeological community (cf. persistent for millennia. The activities of the expedition. The Bessac 1965; Davydova 1968). adoption of metal implements in the Bronze and Iron Ages appears to have done little to change this pattern. The first historically documented group of the Iron Age, called the Xiongnu (Hsiung-nu) by Han scholars, appears on the scene around 300 BCE, presaging a succession of similar steppe nomads that included the Uighur, Turks, and Mongols. The Xiongnu had a complicated and contentious relationship with the Han, raiding as well as trading with Han settlements along the north- western frontier of China. The relative degree to which the Xiongnu political system and its leaders were dependent on the Han is the current subject of Fig. 1. Map showing location of the Tamir River excavations. 20 heated debate (Barfield 1994; cf. goods to address the questions of alternatively, did the Xiongnu Di Cosmo in this issue). In an ethnic identify and material polity incorporate groups with attempt to address some of the cultural. The 2005 expedition different lifeways, including questions about this relationship, selected a Xiongnu cemetery in the agriculture, hunting and collecting, as well to gather additional Tamir River valley, a region from and dedicated pastoralism information about the nature of the which a good comparative (Barfield 1981)? The 2005 Xiongnu culture, the Silkroad collection was excavated in 2003 expedition targeted Tamir 2 (1) Foundation launched an archae- by a joint Mongolian-Korean to address whether the site is a ological expedition to gather new expedition. The cemetery site construction of the Xiongnu, rather data. selected by the 2005 Mongolian- than another group or a different American Expedition was named time period, (2) if built by the Ethnic Identity, Material Tamir 1. Xiongnu, to determine if this was Culture, and Gorodishche a year-round settlement (per- Tamir 1 is located on a manent), a seasonal settlement, or Specifically, the 2005 expedition prominent granitic outcrop known was built for short term occupation sought information in three areas: as Tamiryn Ulaan Khoshuu near such as fortified refuges, periodic the ethnic affiliation of the other cemeteries of the Neolithic, or seasonal gathering places, or Xiongnu, the affiliation of Xiongnu Bronze Age, and Mongol periods. special functions (i.e. ceremonial), material culture with Siberian and The significance of this place may and (3) to establish the Han traditions, and the derive in part from its prominent relationship of this site with the architecture and use of visibility within the Tamir and cemetery, Tamir 1. gorodishche (earthen-walled Orkhon River valleys, and its structures) by the Xiongnu. Recent proximity to the broad, well- Project History archaeological investigations of watered floodplains of these major burial populations in Inner rivers. Investigations from July 20 The general goals of the project Mongolia and southern Siberia to August 19, 2005, included the were identified in consultations have identified significant europoid preparation of detailed maps of the among Adela Lee, Head of the Caucasian Bronze Age populations, site using handheld GPS units, Silkroad Foundation, Dr. Albert some as old as the Hirgisur photodocumentation, and the Dien of Stanford University, Dr. complex of the Bronze Age (Di excavation of five graves at Tamir Mark Hall of the University of Cosmo 1999). Some readings of 1. California at Berkeley, and Dr. Zagd Han texts suggest the Xiongnu Batsaikhan of the Mongolian were, at least in part, ethnically The third research question National University, a noted like modern European populations, targeted a site 10 kilometers to the authority on the Xiongnu and a view supported by the recovery west of Tamir 1, which we author of the definitive work on the of Caucasian remains from some designated Tamir 2. This site Xiongnu, entitled (in English) Xiongnu graves (Tumen 2005; see consists of three enormous Xunnu. Dr. Hall had worked on a also the article by Batsaikhan in earthen-walled enclosures that prior excavation with Dr. this issue). Furthermore, some (superficially) resemble structures Batsaikhan. The latter had scholars have suggested that the excavated during the Soviet era in previously excavated at Tamir 1 Xiongnu, after leaving central the area of Lake Baikal and in the and felt that it was a significant Mongolia, migrated west across the Selenga River valley of southern Xiongnu cemetery, likely to contain steppes to the eastern edges of the Siberia. A noteworthy project at additional intact graves. He had Roman Empire, where they were the site of Ivolga by Davydova also discovered Tamir 2. The known as the Huns. Others, noting (1968) suggested that these proximity of the two sites offered that hunnu is a Han term for any gorodishche were fortified, the opportunity to explore all of barbaric foreigner, and that the permanent Xiongnu villages, the research questions discussed Xiongnu and Huns are separated containing tightly packed semi- above, as well as offer students of by nearly 200 years in the Han and subterranean houses, pits, metal the field school opportunities at Roman accounts, suggest that the foundries, and possible animal survey, mapping, and excavation. Xiongnu and Huns are two different enclosures. These sites, however, groups, albeit of similar nomadic also contain considerable evidence Plans for the project were lifestyles. Addressing this issue for agriculture, in the form of grain initiated in 2004, with field work requires better understanding the storage pits, large ceramic vessels, to be conducted in the summer of ethnic composition of the Xiongnu agricultural tools, and grinding 2005. Dr. Hall made all of the initial and Huns and their material culture tools. The variety of features and preparations, issuing a call for traditions (Di Cosmo 1999; Miniaev specialized tools raised the volunteers in the fall of 2004. Of 1995). Excavation of Xiongnu question: did the Xiongnu practice the dozens of applicants, Dr. Hall tombs in Mongolia could potentially agriculture in tandem with selected 14. Unfortunately, just provide skeletal remains and burial pastoralism (Di Cosmo 1994), or, two weeks before the project was 21 to take the field, other and areas subjected to surface to, or slightly into, a commitments forced Dr. Hall’s excavations. David Purcell directed culturally sterile calcic soil. The withdrawal from the project. The this part of the field school. Using development of such soils typically Silkroad Foundation subsequently a Garmin 12-channel handheld requires many millennia, with their contracted with two of the Global Positioning System (GPS) formation likely pre-dating the volunteers — professional receiver, each of the sites was Xiongnu occupation. The test units archaeologists with prior mapped to scale with 3-5 m were located by reference to the experience running archaeological accuracy.
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