Wrocław archeologists in the Altai and Gobi Desert
An account provided by Professor Józef Szykulski of the Institute of Archaeology of the UWr.
In June and July 2022, Institute of Archaeology of the UWr (Department of Non-European Archaeology) carried out comprehensive excavations in southern Mongolia. They concentrated on an area covering the Gobi Altai massif and the adjacent edge of the Gobi Desert.
The research focused on the development of prehistoric communities in south-central Mongolia and the issue of their adaptation to changing environmental conditions. In addition to archaeologists (including experts in non-invasive archaeology), specialists in geology, petrography and topography also participated.
During the fieldwork, excavations were carried out within four Late Palaeolithic encampments located directly on the shoreline of the lakes, existing here in the Pleistocene and early Holocene. Numerous geological boreholes were also drilled during the study. Their aim was to define, changing over time, the extent of the two basins. In addition, the sampling will make it possible to determine the chronology of the individual lake layers, Analysis of these materials will also provide a basis for determining the palaeoenvironmental conditions existing in the area during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene.
During this year’s season, excavations were also carried out within one of the caves, located in the Khutul usny valley, situated within the Altai foothills massif referred to as Arts Bogdyn Nuruu. During the survey, three settlement horizons (settlement phases) containing a significant amount of organic material (bones, plant fragments) and stone artefacts were identified in the cave’s stratification. The recorded materials are related to the Paleolithic hunter-gathering communities. It should be emphasised that the discovery of a cave site where intact strata from the Palaeolithic period have been preserved is a scientific sensation of sorts, and the analyses carried out will allow a number of findings to be made regarding Palaeolithic communities in this part of Asia.
It should be added that during its prolonged stay in the boundless expanses of southern Mongolia, the University of Wroclaw Archaeological Expedition sometimes had to face quite unusual challenges. An example is the fate of a young camel stuck in a treacherous quagmire (soaked moving sands). The emaciated animal would probably end up like the other individuals whose bones whiten on the steppe. However, with the use of an all-terrain vehicle and belts and ropes, the unfortunate man was able to be pulled out of his predicament. The animal was so hungry that it felt no fear and began to greedily devour the grass growing nearby.
Currently, members of the expedition have already reached Ulan-Bator. Documentation work and analysis of the archaeological material acquired will be carried out throughout the coming week. In cooperation with staff from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, registration and preparation for shipment of samples destined for specialised analysis in Polish laboratories is also being carried out.
During their stay in Ulaanbaatar, our researchers also had the opportunity to watch a parade organised on the occasion of the traditional Naadam festival, which has been listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2010.
The archaeological work in southern Mongolia is scheduled for three years. They are being carried out under NCN grant 2019/33/B/HS3/01113; Around Tsakhiurtyn Hondi. Stone Age research of the Altai borderland and the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. This year’s research, on behalf of the Institute of Archaeology of the UWr, professor Mirosław Masojć (project manager), professor Józef Szykulski (head of the Department of Non-European Archaeology) and doctoral student, mgr Grzegorz Michalec participated in the research.
In addition to the Wrocław archaeologists, the fieldwork and laboratory analyses involve a specialist in documentation and cartography from the Archaeological Museum in Gdańsk (Marcin Szmit), geologists from the National Geological Institute (prof. Antoni Wójcik, dr Rafał Sikora) and an expert from the IGSMiE of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków (dr Andrzej Gałaś). The Mongolian side is represented by experts from the Ulaanbaatar State University of Education (dr Gankhuyag Odpurev, dr Namjilmaa Enkhtaivan) and the Institute of Archaeology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (prof. Gunchinsuren Byambaa, dr Davaakhuu Odsuren, dr Bazargur Dashzeveg). Photographic documentation of the research was carried out by Ms Sonia Erdenesaikhan of the Academy of Fine Arts in Ulaanbaatar.
