Archaeology of the Eurasian Steppes and Mongolia

Abstract

International interest in the prehistory and archaeology of the Eurasian steppes and Mongolia has increased dramatically since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. This article surveys important new evidence and interpretations that have emerged from several collaborative projects in the past two decades. A particular emphasis is placed on issues that are crucial to regional studies in the steppe ecological zone; however, it also is suggested that steppe prehistory must come to play a more significant role in developing more comprehensive understandings of world prehistory. Key developments connected with the steppe include the diffusion of anatomically modern humans, horse domestication, spoke-wheeled chariot and cavalry warfare, early metal production and trade, Indo-European languages, and the rise of nomadic states and empires. In addition to these important issues, thoughts are offered on some of the current challenges that face archaeological scholarship in this region of the world. 469 Annu. Rev. Anthropol. 2010.39:469-486. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org by University of Sussex on 12/29/12. For personal use only.

Radiocarbon-dated archaeological record of early first millennium B.C. mounted pastoralists in the Kunlun Mountains, China

“…1) petroglyphs in the Mongolian Altai (17); large ritual stone monuments (khirigsuurs) with immense horse sacrifices, such as Urt Bulagyn, in central Mongolia (13,14); and the archaeological records of pastoral groups engaged in vertical herding of sheep/goats and cattle in southeastern and eastern Kazakhstan as early as ∼2450 B.C. (15,16,45).…”

“…In a recent review of the archaeology of the Eurasian steppes and Mongolia, the "significant role" that this study field "must come to play in developing more comprehensive understandings of world prehistory" was stressed (13). To reach this stage, however, a better knowledge of the driving forces and key variables (i.e., climate change, innovative technologies, new forms of social and political integration) behind the transition to the pastoral and mixed agropastoral economies of the late Bronze age and early Iron Age and solid case studies of this transition on the local to regional scale are required (2,13,(19)(20)(21).…”

“…To reach this stage, however, a better knowledge of the driving forces and key variables (i.e., climate change, innovative technologies, new forms of social and political integration) behind the transition to the pastoral and mixed agropastoral economies of the late Bronze age and early Iron Age and solid case studies of this transition on the local to regional scale are required (2,13,(19)(20)(21). Reliable age determinations of find complexes are crucial to provide a robust chronological framework for the interval spanning the second and early first millennium B.C.…”

Multiregional Emergence of Mobile Pastoralism and Nonuniform Institutional Complexity across Eurasia

“…To productively insert mobile pastoralist political economies into the broader historical story line of world civilizations, we must start by understanding mobile pastoralist strategies and interactive arenas in their own right. This is no easy task, because Eurasian steppe archaeology is both patchy and deeply rooted in an academic tradition that situates the steppe zone as peripheral to the main currents of social complexity (Hanks 2010). Admittedly, the archaeology discussed in this paper does not escape the pervasive problems of historically and methodologically inconsistent collection methods, imperfect or incomplete data, and limited reporting and publication of key materials.…”

Inner Asian States and Empires: Theories and Synthesis

“…Yet, in spite of more than 100 years of scholarly contributions, the region remains a relatively unknown heartland (Di Cosmo 1994;Hanks 2010;Lattimore 1940;Mackinder 1904). As pivotal as the history of Inner Asia is in its own right, it also holds special significance for how we interpret complex societies on a global basis.…”