Remains of suspected female of Turkik origin found in at an altitude of 2,803 metres in the Altai Mountains in Mongolia. The ancient human remains were wrapped in felt but the excavation is being hailed as the first complete Turkik burial found in Central Asia. The archaeologists suspect that the person was not from elite, and we believe it was likely a woman, because there is no bow in the tomb.

In the mummy’s grave archaeologists found a saddle, bridle, clay vase, wooden bowl, trough, iron kettle, the remains of entire horse, and four different ‘Dool’ (Mongolian clothes). There were also pillows, a sheep’s head and felt travel bag in which were placed the whole back of a sheep, goat bones and small leather bag for the cup.

It is the first complete Turkik burial at least in Mongolia – and probably in all Central Asia. This is a very rare phenomenon. These finds show us the beliefs and rituals of Turkiks. The remains of the horse revealed that it was deliberately sacrificed. It was a mare, between four and eight years old.

Low temperatures helped to preserve the grave. The grave was three metres deep and located 2803 meters above sea level.

(after The Siberian Times)