The inventory and assessment of the Xiongnu kurgans in the Arkhangai province: Gol mod-2 samples

This thesis examines the architectural features, inventory and the place in Hun and Turkic culture of the kurgans discovered in the 2001 Mongol-American joint project at Gol Mod-2. Our study was not just taking inventory. With the data collected from excavations, one is able to make interpretations about Hun and Turkic culture. Gol Mod-2 is located in Öndör-Ulaan Sum of Mongolia's Arhangay Province. Of the various kurgans that have been studied over the last 20 years, the objects on the largest No. 1 noble kurgan made up a significant portion of the findings. In the many objects like chariots, harness fragments, bronze and ceramic pottery, weapons, and ornaments found in the satellite cemetery and on the kurgan, various examples of skilled workmanship with different materials like gold, silver, bronze were evident. The aim of our thesis is to compare and contrast the findings and archaeological data belonging to the Xiongnu with written records, Turkic culture and other cultures. Through this, we will shed light on Xiongnu burial traditions, cultural interactions, commerce, metallurgy, and art. Our study will be in three parts. The first part covers Xiongnu archaeology, kurgan of Hun nobility, and information about the Gol Mod-2 kurgan. Part two examines the obersvations about the studied kurangs and their findings. The last part interprets the data that has been collected.Keywords: Xiongnu, Elite Burials, Kurgan, Dragon, Satellite Tomb