A MONGOLIAN CAVE SITE WITH MUMMIES

A cave site apparently containing 18-20 mummies of unknown date and age has been reported to the Mongolian Academy of Sciences by a herder from in the field. The location is in the far south of Mongolia, at approximately 42'30"N and 108E. That puts it very near the Chinese border, and on or near the border between Dornod-Gobi and Umen-Gobi Mongolian aimags (states).

Currently, the plan is to attempt to get to this very remote location during the field season, preferably early in the season, with a few people capable of dealing with an archaeological locality, if indeed this turns out to be significant. Our Mongolian colleague, Dr Naran Bazarsad, biological anthropology chair for the archaeologists in the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, is working on the transportation and logistical end of getting to the site,

We will be running this reconnaissance expedition in conjunction with the joint Mongolian-US expedition in the Baga Gazrynn Chuulu region. We plan on departing from and returning to this camp with our findings before returning to Ulanbaator.

This field opportunity is extremely intriguing. However, unless the Mongolian archaeologists obtain updated information before the departure date, we can not provide further details. It is anticipated that we depart from the Baga Gazaryn Chuluu camp early August and would return there in approximately two weeks.

 

Participant Application