The seventh field season of the joint expedition of the RGS and the Institute of History of Material Culture (IHMC) of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Tuva has started. The research team is exploring the Tunnug-1 kurgan, which is located in the Piy-Khem District. This year's plans include archaeological work on the central part of the Scythian burial kurgan of the 9th century BC, the study of traces of ancient sacrifices and rituals, and then laboratory investigation of found artifacts.
“We have completed the preparation of the field camp. Now we have a lot of work to do: we will disassemble the stones, clean the surface of the kurgan from clay and wood. This season promises to be especially busy, because the expedition team will excavate the site of the central burial. There is reason to assume that the entire kurgan was built for it, and scientists also believe that it was not looted," said Timur Sadykov, chief scientist of the expedition. “We plan to examine the central structure and examine the inventory with which the deceased were sent to the afterlife: burial in the center always contains the most valuable and informative materials. The Tunnug-1 kurgan is unique — burials have been carried out on its territory for 2,000 years. Scientists found artifacts that dated back to different historical eras.”
Archaeological work. Photo: Timur Sadykov
By 2024, half of the main mound of the Tunnug-1 kurgan has been excavated. Scientists have established its structure, determined the place of the central burial, examined the traces of mass sacrifices: skeletons of people and horses. This year, the work has continued, and researchers will again look for traces of ancient cultures in Tuva.
“For the seventh year, the RGS has been systematically working in Tuva, studying the traces of ancient civilizations. Scientists from all over the world are eager to explore the so-called Valley of the Kings. The most famous burial kurgans Arzhan-1 and Arzhan-2 have already been studied in detail. Their treasures are on display at the National Museum of the Republic of Tuva. Ancient artifacts are recognized as the heritage of world culture," said Natalya Belyakova, Director of the Expeditionary and Tourism Development Department.
“In previous seasons, the remnants of a large sacrifice made on the surface of the kurgan were found in Tunnug-1, but the main finds are still ahead – we are examining the place of the central burial. Judging by Arzhan, the most valuable things are there. Currently, about 40 people are already working at Tunnug. These are the employees from the IHMC RAS and volunteers who have passed a special selection and completed specialized training which indicates that interest in participating in scientific research in young people is growing.
Since 2018, the RGS and the IHMC RAS have been systematically studying the Tunnug-1 kurgan, where burial sites of different eras are located: from the nobility of the Scythian period to the late Middle Ages and the Kokel culture. There is a "permafrost lens" under the kurgan, and, according to scientists, Scythian finds made of organic materials could be preserved under the stone embankment.
Scientists are cleaning the surface of the kurgan from stones, clay, and wood. Photo: Timur Sadykov
The Tunnug-1 kurgan dates back to the 9th century BC. Researchers believe that this is the oldest kurgan in the world which can be attributed to the Scythian culture. Tunnug-1 is a structure made of wood, clay, and stone. Its arrangement is complex: on top it is covered with a stone shell assembled from different types of granite, limestone, volcanic. and sedimentary rocks, conglomerates of different types of stone.
Archaeologists and volunteers will work at Tunnug-1 until the end of the summer. The central site will need to be excavated in one field season. After that, all the artifacts will be transferred to the Aldan-Maadyr National Museum of the Republic of Tuva. The study of the Tunnug-1 kurgan is of exceptional interest – the structure that underlies it has no analogues.