International Collaborative Research Projects

To ensure the long-term preservation of the National Museum of Mongolia’s collection as well as its expansion through further crucial acquisitions, the museum has helped to organize numerous archaeological and cultural field expeditions, many of them in collaboration with foreign researchers and institutions. From 1997 to 2003, our museum had one joint expedition: the “Mon-sol Project” with the National Museum of Korea and the Institute of History of Mongolia, and since that time we have continued the close relationship with the National Museum of Korea.

Deer Stone Project. In 2003, our museum began collaboration with the National Museum of Natural History in the Smithsonian Institute from USA to launch the “Deer Stone Project.”

Then, in 2004, researchers from Russia and Japan began to collaborate with our museum on archaeological investigations at Chin-tolgoi Khitan city and inscription translation. In 2005, we began our present collaborative project with Chinese archaeologists to investigate monuments of the early medieval period of Mongolia. By 2006 our museum had 5 projects, and this year we added a joint project with Russian scholars form Buryiat to investigate a Xiongnu walled site at Terelj and also began a collaborative project with the University of Pennsylvania USA on archaeological remains in Khovd aimag of west Mongolia. The National Museum of Mongolia now has a total of 7 joint field expeditions with the Republic of Korea, USA, Japan, Russia, China and other Mongolian organizations.

The NMM has also hosted several foreign researchers from Japan, Hungary, Korea, USA and Germany who have researched our collections, and have had foreign volunteers from USA, Australia and Japan to assist in museum training, collections management and public relations.

Mongolian-Chinese archaeological joint

expedition in 2009

Expedition members:

Mongolian side
Prof A.Ochir /Project leader of Mongolian side/
Archaeologist Ts.Odbaatar /Head of excavation, Curator of Mongolian National Museum/
Archaeologist B.Ankhbayar /Researcher of International Institution of for the study Nomadic Civilization/,
Archaeologist О.Batbayar, N.Urtnasan
Historian, N.Ganbat
Drivers H.Battulga, Amartaivan,
Head of cook S.Nyamtseren, cook B.Erdenechimeg, helper S.Baigalmaa and Oyunzul
Students: L.Erdenesaikhan, Ts.Ankhbayar, B.Delgerdalai, D.Gantugs, G.Enkhmagnai, О.Batzorig, М.Аmarbaysgalan, G.Enkhbayar, G.Enkhbayar, М.Nyambat, E.Dorjsuren, О.Nyamdorj, Sanjsuren, B.Ulziibayar, О.Bayardalai, Nyamsambuu, O.Boldsaikhan, D.Turbold, T.Lhagvasuren, Davaasambuu, E.Zolboo, B.Khadanbaatar, B.Dalaitseren, G.Gantulga

Chinese side:

Ta La /Project director, Director of Inner Mongolian Museum/
Chen Yongzhi /Director of Inner Mongolian Cultural heritage and Archaeological institution/
Song Guo Don /Archaeologist of Inner Mongolian Cultural heritage and Archaeological institution/
Yue Gou Ming /Photographer and Archaeologist of Inner Mongolian Cultural heritage and Archaeological institution/
Sarenbileg /Archaeologist and translator of Inner Mongolian Cultural heritage and Archaeological institution/
Jiao Jian /Driver/

Field season: June 13 – September 12, 2009
Location: Uvurkhavtsaliin am (Durvuljin), Khotont sum, Arckhangai aimag

There are 10 Square sites in Uvurkhavtsaliin am. 5th Square is the biggest one which we ever have excavated. There are water channel in outside of earthen rammed wall of Square. The size is 80 h 84 meters including outside water channel. There is the big mound near of western wall in side rammed wall. There were some fragments of bricks and roof tiles surrounded of this mound. This mound made by earth, stones and bricks.

Also, there were two small mounds east of the big mound. They are not high, but there were many bricks and roof tiles surround of those small mounds.

During the excavation we found a chamber tomb from under big mound. There buried 3 people, together, but much destroyed by looters and their bones were much moved and changed. Also, some bones were missed. We discovered all 9 people skeletons from this site. Some people buried together. Most tombs were looted, but we found some bronze earrings and buttons.

Also, we found many findings such as stone architectural fragments, stone figures with animal head; dragon fragments which from stele, damaged ceramic lion and many architectural fragments during this excavation. Most interesting thing was chamber tomb. So, it was not same our last excavations. They built brick tomb on the earth. Usually they dug deep hole for chamber.

Khovd project

During the 2007 field season, the project noted 136 burials, investigated three elite tomb complexes of the Xiongnu Empire (3rd century BCE – 1st century CE), seven satellite burials and three ritual stone lines from two tomb complexes at the cemetery of Tahiltiin hotgor cemetery. One new discovery was the details of the ritual stone lines which are arranged parallel to the north walls of the large tombs and contain burnt crushed animal bones. These finds help to clarify the ritual nature of the Xiongnu elite cemeteries. We excavated one tomb complex. The burial goods from the main tomb, satellite burials were very similar to bone and iron artifacts in Xiongnu graves throughout Mongolia and South Siberia. In addition, the structure of the main tomb, which was carefully documented, showed signs of multi-staged funerals for the elite.

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