Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The Xiongnu gold from Noin-ula (Mongolia). / Polosmak, N. V.; Shatskaya, S. S.; Zadorozhnyy, M. V. et al.
In: Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia, Vol. 47, No. 1, 7, 01.01.2019, p. 83-94.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Xiongnu gold from Noin-ula (Mongolia)
AU - Polosmak, N. V.
AU - Shatskaya, S. S.
AU - Zadorozhnyy, M. V.
AU - Kundo, L. P.
AU - Karpova, E. V.
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - This article presents the results of interdisciplinary studies of gold artifacts from the elite Xiongnu burials at Noin-Ula (Noyon Uul, Mongolia, early 1st millennium AD), excavated by the Russian-Mongolian expedition in 2006-2012. Using scanning electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, as much as 17 artifacts were analyzed. These include ornaments from coffins and clothes, made by Chinese artisans. Results suggest that they were all made of native gold, similar to that from the known deposits of Mongolia as far as the elemental composition is concerned (we used an electronic database containing information on 3338 samples of Mongolian native gold, as a reference). Results of statistical tests suggest that placer deposits were the most probable source of the gold. The results do not contradict the idea that Chinese artisans used Mongolian gold. In the Han era, the Xiongnu could have been among their principal providers. The relationships between the two empires and peoples were always beneficial for the Xiongnu. Enjoying the numerous achievements of the Han civilization, they offered too little in return. One of the ways the Han dynasty could have benefited from their tumultuous neighbors was to receive native gold from them.
AB - This article presents the results of interdisciplinary studies of gold artifacts from the elite Xiongnu burials at Noin-Ula (Noyon Uul, Mongolia, early 1st millennium AD), excavated by the Russian-Mongolian expedition in 2006-2012. Using scanning electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, as much as 17 artifacts were analyzed. These include ornaments from coffins and clothes, made by Chinese artisans. Results suggest that they were all made of native gold, similar to that from the known deposits of Mongolia as far as the elemental composition is concerned (we used an electronic database containing information on 3338 samples of Mongolian native gold, as a reference). Results of statistical tests suggest that placer deposits were the most probable source of the gold. The results do not contradict the idea that Chinese artisans used Mongolian gold. In the Han era, the Xiongnu could have been among their principal providers. The relationships between the two empires and peoples were always beneficial for the Xiongnu. Enjoying the numerous achievements of the Han civilization, they offered too little in return. One of the ways the Han dynasty could have benefited from their tumultuous neighbors was to receive native gold from them.
KW - Gold artifacts
KW - Interdisciplinary studies
KW - Mongolia
KW - Native gold
KW - Noin-Ula
KW - Western Han era
KW - Xiongnu
KW - interdisciplinary studies
KW - gold artifacts
KW - native gold
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85068827584&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=41617130
U2 - 10.17746/1563-0110.2019.47.1.083-094
DO - 10.17746/1563-0110.2019.47.1.083-094
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85068827584
VL - 47
SP - 83
EP - 94
JO - Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia
JF - Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia
SN - 1563-0110
IS - 1
M1 - 7
ER -
ID: 20839177