Lambs to the Slaughter: A Zooarchaeological Investigation of Stone Circles in Mongolia

What is it about?

Stone circles are a common monumental feature of the Mongolian Bronze Age (c. 1500–800 BC), frequently occurring in association with other monument types, especially khirigsuurs. Cremated bone fragments are typically uncovered inside them, with no other associated finds. Until now the content of the stone circles has not been identified, a fact which has hampered our understanding not only of khirigsuurs and their related cosmology but also of the contemporary Bronze Age economy, owing to a research paradigm that was monument-and burial focused until very recently. The identification of domestic bovids in our study within these features has profound implications for our approach to studying the society of this period and region. These implications, including a well-developed pastoralist cosmology and economy including the ritual sacrifice of at least three different kinds of livestock, are introduced here.

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