The expedition to the Tunnug-1 kurgan, 2023. Photo: Anna Klochko
The seventh season of the expedition of the RGS and the Institute of History of Material Culture (IHMC) of the RAS studying the Tunnug-1 kurgan has started. The work of scientists and volunteers will take place until September in the Piy-Khem District of the Republic of Tuva.
A field camp has already been set up at the excavation site and drainage systems have been equipped. This season, experts will continue to study the main mound of the kurgan and the surrounding area, paying special attention to the northern sector of Tunnug-1. Peripheral sites may contain valuable finds for archaeologists. There are ritual structures around the kurgan: altars, places of worship, or remnants of memorial ceremonies.
Scientists are exploring the archaeological site using innovative technologies. For example, geophysical surveys help to «see» hidden underground objects. With this, one can assume whether there are walls, burials or other structures there, without damaging the cultural layer. In addition, specialists will again conduct a 3D scan of the mound. In the future, this will allow to preserve the found artifacts.
«The work of the RGS on the Tung-1 kurgan is becoming the key to understanding the origin of the Scythian culture,» said Timur Sadykov, scientific director of the expedition, an employee at the IHMK RAS. «For example, studies of the kurgan have confirmed that the origin of Scythian-type archaeological cultures occurred on the territory of Tuva at the end of the 9th century BC, even before the appearance of the first Scythian monuments in Europe. Last year, we explored three undisturbed graves with many artifacts made of bronze, bone, gold, iron, as well as with stone, gold, and glass paste beads. Among the finds, the Scythian triad is represented in a complete and very archaic form: horse equipment, weapons, and animal style. This season we will focus on exploring the northern part of the main mound of the kurgan. The work will be carried out using all possible digital and scientific methods.»
The work of the RGS on the Tunnug-1 kurgan has been going on for seven years. Photo: Sergei Fadeichev
Every year, researchers conduct aerial photography of the territory of Tunnug-1 from drones. It gives a complete picture of the area, showing the features of the relief invisible from the ground. Excavations are always accompanied by sampling: radiocarbon, traceological, petrographic, isotopic, genetic, and many other types of analyses are used for various materials. They are used to determine the age of artifacts, the origin of materials for weapons, family ties, lifestyle of people, and other parameters. After the fieldwork is completed, all finds will be processed in a lab, and the research results will be included in a scientific report with recommendations for the conservation of the site.
«Our expeditions in Western Siberia, such as 'Kyzyl-Kuragino’ and the exploration of the Tung-1 kurgan, confirm that Tuva is the cradle of nomadic cultures of Eurasia, » says Natalya Belyakova, Director of the Expeditionary and Tourism Development Department. «The remains of more than 100 horses and people were found in the central part of the kurgan, which makes it possible to reconstruct their ancient rite step by step for the first time in the world experience of scientific study of the Scythian heritage. Each find, whether it’s a 'two panthers’, a 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.»
The RGS’s expeditions to the Tunnug-1 kurgan have been taking place since 2018. All the artifacts discovered during the excavations will become part of Russia’s cultural heritage. After the work is completed, the excavations will be reclaimed, and the data obtained will be used to prepare publications and exhibitions.