Participants of the historical and archaeological expedition of the Russian Geographical Society and the Institute of History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IHMC RAS) completed the 2025 field season at the Tung-1 kurgan in the Republic of Tuva. Scientists continue to find artifacts belonging to different cultures and eras inside the ancient burial ground.
Forty six volunteers from different cities of Russia took part in the expedition. This year, archaeologists explored another sector of the kurgan, which was an important step towards the full study and introduction of the archaeological complex into scientific circulation. Thus, of the 16 sectors into which the monument is divided for convenience, 12 have already been fully or partially studied.
«Among the key finds of the season are two inlet burials (made in the finished mound later), which were numbered 145 and 146 according to the general numbering of the monument. Unfortunately, there was no grave goods in them,» said Timur Sadykov, head of the expedition, researcher at the IHMC RAS. «In addition, we found a bronze knife and an arrowhead, a bone spinning wheel and two clusters of ceramics from which the vessels will be assembled.»
Two unusual objects from the beginning of our era were discovered at the edge of the kurgan. These are small stone mounds that are unique to Tuva, outwardly resembling miniature kurgans. There were no burials inside, but archaeologists found shards of clay vessels. Scientists suggest that this may be an offering to the dead. One of the vessels has been preserved quite well, and in the course of future laboratory processing, restorers expect to completely restore its shape.
An important part of the work was the continuation of the study of the complex wooden structure at the base of the kurgan. This season, the scientists selected five new log samples for dendrochronological analysis and sent them to the laboratory.
Experts are already receiving the first data on previously taken samples, including the age of the central log frames of the kurgan. In parallel with the field work, active laboratory processing and analysis of the material already collected over the years of research continues.
Miniature kurgans. Photo: Timur Sadykov
«The remains of more than 100 horses and people were found in the central part of the kurgan, which makes it possible, for the first time in the world experience of scientific study of the Scythian heritage, to reconstruct their ancient rite step by step,» says Natalya Belyakova, Director of the Expeditionary and Tourism Development Department. «Each find, whether it is the 'two panthers’, the golden hryvnia or a piece of cloth, is a step towards restoring the history of nomadic cultures and regions of our country, which fully corresponds to the national goals outlined by the President of Russia.»
In August 2025, a book was published on the results of work on the southern periphery of the monument, where the burials of the Kokel archaeological culture were discovered (excavations in 2018–2020). The scientists also plan to publish a scientific article about the earliest known example of the Scythian animal style in Tuva, found at the Tunnug-1 kurgan.