THE BURIAL CONSTRUCTION OF NOIN ULA MOUND 20, MONGOLIA

In 2006, a joint Russian-Mongolian archaeological expedition excavated one of the last remaining mounds left by the Hunnu elite at Noin Ula, northern Mongolia. Because excavations were conducted by hand, a detailed analysis of the burial structure was possible. Its layout followed one of the most common Chinese (Han) prototypes and included: a rectangular earthen platform with a stone enclosure; a long corridor, with the entrance to the grave being oriented to the south; a deep pit (18.35 m) narrowing to the bottom in a stepwise manner; a Chinese chariot above the burial chamber; charcoal and clay placed between the walls of the chamber and those of the frame; a double frame made of pine blocks; numerous artifacts in corridors; and a laquered coffin. Four stone roofs matching four descending steps secured a dense backfill. A similar technique (multilayered backfill interspersed with stone roofs) was practiced for building foundations during the Hellenistic epoch. A distinctive feature of the Noin Ula burial rite is the presence of numerous artifacts made from organic substances.