Ancient sarcophagus surrounded by 14 stone pillars with mysterious inscriptions discovered in Mongolia

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In the desert steppes of eastern Mongolia, a group of archaeologists discovered a mysterious monument consisting of a stone sarcophagus surrounded by 14 stone pillars covered with Turkic runic inscriptions, dating back to the 8th century, so about 1300 years. After deciphering the ancient writings, its seems that the person who was buried was the highest official in Eastern Mongolia during the reign of Tengri-Kagan, the emperor of the East Turkic Khaganate between 716 to 741 years. The deceased first wore the title of Yabgu (governor), before being named commander-in-chief of the East Told-Shad.

Mysterious sarcophagus surrounded my 14 stone pillars discovered in Mongolia steppes, Mysterious sarcophagus surrounded my 14 stone pillars discovered in Mongolia steppes picture, archeology, mysterious archeology
Mysterious sarcophagus surrounded my 14 stone pillars discovered in Mongolia steppes. via Osaka University and Institute of History and Archaeology, Mongolian Academy of Science

Along with the description of specific events in the life of this man, immortalized in inscriptions on columns, the discovery of this monument is interesting and confirms that the steppe of Dongoin Shiree was the center of the East Turkic Khaganate, whose location was previously unknown.

Mysterious sarcophagus surrounded my 14 stone pillars discovered in Mongolia steppes, Mysterious sarcophagus surrounded my 14 stone pillars discovered in Mongolia steppes picture, archeology, mysterious archeology
The sarcophagus was in the center and surrounded by 14 stone columns with Turkic Runic inscriptions carved on it. via Osaka University and Institute of History and Archaeology, Mongolian Academy of Science

The complex excavation lasted 2 years during which particles of calcined coal, sheepskins and horse bones have been found. Radiocarbon analysis showed that the mysterious compex was built in the 8th century, at the end of the second dynasty of the ancient Türkic rulers of Qashqai.

Mysterious sarcophagus surrounded my 14 stone pillars discovered in Mongolia steppes, Mysterious sarcophagus surrounded my 14 stone pillars discovered in Mongolia steppes picture, archeology, mysterious archeology
The burial site was that of Yabgu (viceroy), the highest rank just behind Qaghan, who then became the commander-in-chief and highest administrative officer in eastern Mongolia during the reign of Tengri Qaghan (734-741 AD). via Osaka University and Institute of History and Archaeology, Mongolian Academy of Science

Although the he burial site was destroyed and looted in Antiquity, the sarcophagus allowed to get previously unknown information about the history and the relationship that the Turks of the Kashkay dynasty had with inhabitants of the Mongolian steppe – Khitan, Tatabs and Tatars.

Mysterious sarcophagus surrounded my 14 stone pillars discovered in Mongolia steppes, Mysterious sarcophagus surrounded my 14 stone pillars discovered in Mongolia steppes picture, archeology, mysterious archeology
The ruins of this unique monument surrounded by 14 large stone pillars with Turkic Runic inscriptions arranged in a square was found on a steppe called Dongoin shiree in eastern Mongolia during their three-year (2015-2017) joint excavation. via Osaka University and Institute of History and Archaeology, Mongolian Academy of Science

In addition, the location of stone pillars on the plateau will also provide important information for discussing religious ideas and the world view of the ancient nomads. Similar inscriptions have previously only been found in western Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

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