Deer Stones of the Mongolian Plateau
Buga Chuluu · Uushigiin Uver Deer Stones
Late Bronze Age (~1400–700 BCE)·Karakhush / Deer Stone–Khirigsuur culture (Bronze-Age pastoralist)·🇲🇳 Khövsgöl & Arkhangai, Mongolia
About
About Deer Stones of the Mongolian Plateau
Over 1,200 granite stelae across Mongolia present stylized reindeer in airborne gallop covering the stone from antler to hoof, interspersed with suns, daggers and human face-belts marking the waist. Tallest stones exceed 4 m; groups at Uushigiin Uver (14 stones) align east-facing with slabs surrounding slab burial mounds. Deer flight is interpreted as soul passage.
Why it mattersOver 1,200 granite stelae across Mongolia present stylized reindeer in airborne gallop covering the stone from antler to hoof, interspersed with suns, daggers and human face-belts marking the waist. T
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why deer rendered in impossible elongated flight pose with beaked snout
- 02Association of deer stones exclusively with khirigsuur slab burials
Theories
- 01Soul-bird/deer shamanic vehicle carrying deceased to sky
- 02Territorial totems of emerging Mongolian pastoral elite during Bronze climate optimum
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.1200–700 BCE
- Period
- Late Bronze Age (~1400–700 BCE)
- Culture
- Karakhush / Deer Stone–Khirigsuur culture (Bronze-Age pastoralist)
- Purpose
- Anthropomorphic memorial stelae with flying deer and warrior belts
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.1200–700 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1047 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
49.6969° N · 99.9414° E · 1500 m · 2 mapped features
Uushigiin Uver Stone 14
stela4-m stone with twin flying deer, sun disc and belted dagger
49.6970° N · 99.9420° EJargalantyn Am Deer Stone Field
stela fieldLine of 12 deer stones aligning with khirigsuur mound cemetery
48.6200° N · 102.1000° E
Gallery