XIONGNU ARCHEOLOGY, NOYON UUL

A substantial number of tamgas with very distinct form and pattern have been discovered in different archaeological sites that have been studied in Mongolia and in its neighboring regions. The corpus of tamgas were depicted on five kinds of items including: 1) petroglyphs, 2) lacquer cups, 3) pottery, 4) decorative roof tile and 5) animal ankle bones. The petroglyphs with tamgas have been found at Tsagaan Gol in Khaliun soum of Govi-Altai province, at Khargaityn Belchir and Dund Jargalant in Uyench soum, of Khovd province,
and among petroglyphs of Yamaan Us in Altai soum of Khovd province. Some tamgas depicted on lacquer cups recovered from Noyon Uul, on potteries
of Dabaodang in Shaanxi, China, on decorative roof tiles of Tereljin Durvuljin
in Mungunmorit soum of Tuv province, and some ankle bones with tamgas unearthed from the excavation of Dureny settlement, Russia and at Gol Mod-2 in Erdenemandal soum of Arkhangai province.
These tamgas forming a group, found in many types of archaeological
sites, are basically associated with the archaeological sites of elites of the Xiongnu. According to this evidence it could be suggested that these are tamga of the ruling tribe Luandi of the Xiongnu. The tamgas found in elite tombs at Noyon Uul are the most apparent evidence to substantiate the fact. Comparable tamgas were found on the decorative roof tiles of the central building of Tereljyn Durvuljin fortress, which demonstrate not only the site’s significance to society of that time but also demonstrate that these are tamgas of elite clan. Moreover, similar tamgas were unearthed in cemetery of Dabaodang,
associated with elites of the Southern Xiongnu, that shows the tamga and its owner tribe had existed for a long time and had played a significant role in the Xiongnu society.
From the studies on tamgas of khans of the Mongol Empire, especially
tamgas of Genghis Khan and his four sons, conducted by Mongolian researcher B.Nyamaa, we can see a broad tradition of tamga usage among nomadic elites as well as a certain principle of branching principles. It seems beyond doubt that Xiongnu elite had same principles as above. Here should be noted that materials and demands for a more propound study on this issue
has emerged.
The tamgas of the Xiongnu elite had influenced to the Central Asia and Eastern Europe, according to our research. This will be a significant source to study the ancient cultural and political impacts.