Bayan-Ula Khirigsuur & Deer Stone Valley – Khentii
Bayan-Ula Deer Stones · Khentii Kereksur Valley
Late Bronze to Early Iron·Deer Stone–Khirigsuur / Ulaanzuukh·🇲🇳 Khentii Province, Bayan-Ula (Rich Mountain) valley, Mongolia
About
About Bayan-Ula Khirigsuur & Deer Stone Valley – Khentii
A Late Bronze valley of 45 khirigsuurs with 9 in-situ Classic deer stones on the western flank of the Khentii Mountains (Chinggis Khan birthplace region). The khirigsuurs are distinctive for double satellite circles (8–35 m) and 2–3 m deer stones reincorporated as burial markers. Horse skull piles exceed 80 per cairn; AMS on horse teeth dates the valley to 1350–750 BCE, linking it to the Ulaanzuukh slab-grave tradition. Excavated 2010–2017 by Mongolian Academy, the valley shows continuous sacred landscape reuse from deer stone to slab grave to medieval ovoo.
Why it mattersShows deer stone reincorporation into khirigsuur burial markers within Chinggis sacred mountain.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Ovoo continuity to medieval
Theories
- 01Sacred mountain pastoral cult
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1350 – 750 BCE
- Period
- Late Bronze to Early Iron
- Culture
- Deer Stone–Khirigsuur / Ulaanzuukh
- Builders
- Khentii pastoralists
- Purpose
- Horse-sacrifice valley and deer stone memorial
- Abandoned
- c.600 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 2010 Khentii valley survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1350 BCE
Earliest double-circle khirigsuur
2015
9 deer stones documented in situ
On the ground
Structures & features
48.1200° N · 110.5800° E · 1120 m · 2 mapped features
Double-Circle Khirigsuur BU-11
kurganDouble satellite circle with central deer stone
48.1210° N · 110.5810° EDeer Stone BU-DS5
megalith2.9-m stela with 12 deer
48.1180° N · 110.5770° E