China-Russia Joint Excavation of Iron Age Tombs in Altai
A new chapter in archaeological collaboration has commenced between the Altai branch of the Silk Road Archaeological Cooperation Research Center (China) and Altai State University (Russia). This initiative will involve the excavation of three tombs located in two cemeteries near the Chileta River, which date back to the 6th to 3rd centuries BCE, focusing on funerary practices and burial architecture. Shao Huiqiu, the leader of the Chinese contingent, highlighted the importance of the Altai region for understanding nomadic societies. Previously, last year, the team discovered four ancient tombs in the village of Chileta, including one featuring a stone sarcophagus. The new branch aims to create a quadrilateral cooperation framework to advance joint archaeological research and deepen insights into ancient nomadic cultures and Altai's role in cultural exchanges.
Key facts
- First operation of the new Altai branch of the Silk Road Archaeological Cooperation Research Center.
- Collaboration between the Center (China) and Altai State University (Russia).
- Excavation of three tombs in two cemeteries along the Chileta River.
- Tombs date from the 6th to 3rd centuries BCE.
- One medium-large tomb and two smaller ones.
- Last year, four ancient tombs were unearthed in Chileta village, three from the early Iron Age.
- Discovery of a stone sarcophagus tomb similar to those in Xinjiang.
- Deposits of animal skulls and hooves linked to northern Chinese nomadic tribes.
- Altai region spans China, Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan.
- Goal to establish a quadrilateral cooperation mechanism among the four countries.
Entities
Artists
- Shao Huiqiu
Institutions
- Silk Road Archaeological Cooperation Research Center
- Altai State University
Locations
- Altai
- Chileta River
- Chileta
- China
- Russia
- Mongolia
- Kazakhstan
- Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
Sources
- Artslife —