The epitaph of p'u ku tribe of tang dynasty found in the shoroon bumbagar of Zamaar village in Mongolia

In 2009, Mongolian and Russian historical research team discovered the epitaph of P'u Ku tribe on the eastern bank of Tola River. The numerous sculptures which made from wood and clay were also found in well preserved condition. The deceased person in the mausoleum was P'u Ku Yi Tu from the P'u Ku tribe, which was one of the nine outer tribes of Tolos, a prestigious Turkish army clan. According to Chinese annals, the P'u Ku tribe populated around the eastern bank of the Tola River. However, the newly found mausoleum and sculptures made from wood and clay were located in the west northern part of Ulan Bator. These archeological findings overthrow the knowledge and assumptions of the historians. This thesis is mainly based on the Chinese annals and focuses on the context of the epitaph. First, it reviews the historical background of P'u Ku tribe. This unknown Turkish army is characterized as braze and loyal, surrendering its sovereignty to the emperor that conquered Tang's east and west foreign enemies. Second, the natural surroundings such as Tai Mountain, Pu Sea and the specific plants are examined by further interpreting the epitaph. Third, the epitaph included recordings of the P'u Ku family tree, its ancestors' comprehensive war achievements, and honor battle titles, which enable us to know more about how the ancient Turkish tribe interacted with the Tang Emperor. The language used reveals the spirit of the high virtue of Chinese Emperor who emphasize one's loyalty to Emperor (忠) and filial to family (孝). Even the non-Chinese Turkish soldiers and anyone who lived under the power of the Tang Emperor followed these moral rules, which resulted in cultural assimilation and strengthening of the political power of the Tang dynasty.