11-06-2017, 04:41 AM
An Arimaspi Ritual Khirigsuur in the Tianshan
In 1996, archaeologists discovered a "sun altar" in the Bayanbulak Grasslands, an alpine valley in the Tianshan and just above the Tarim Basin. The structure has a central rock mound encompassed by three stone rings at 50, 71, and 100 meters. Four radial rock walls extend from the center to the outer ring.
The Bayanbulak khirigsuur from a drone photo.
Photo showing the four radials of the 300-foot wide structure.
The Bayanbulak khirigsuur is very similar to Shibal-kul Khirigsuurs 1 and 2 at Flower Lake, Quinghe County in the southeastern Altai (as described in the previous posts above). However, the number of deer stones found in the Tianshan are limited in number, as compared to the plethora found in Quinghe and Fayan Counties.
Bayanbulak in relation to the Tarim Basin.
The Shibal-kul styled khirigsuur found in the Bayanbulak Grassland may have significance as the southern periphery of the Arimaspi culture. Trade with the Tocharians in the Tarim area would account for the bell-shaped earrings and stirrup-shaped horse bits (both common in the Arzhan, Tuva, region) found in Tarim burials.
In 1996, archaeologists discovered a "sun altar" in the Bayanbulak Grasslands, an alpine valley in the Tianshan and just above the Tarim Basin. The structure has a central rock mound encompassed by three stone rings at 50, 71, and 100 meters. Four radial rock walls extend from the center to the outer ring.
The Bayanbulak khirigsuur from a drone photo.
Photo showing the four radials of the 300-foot wide structure.
The Bayanbulak khirigsuur is very similar to Shibal-kul Khirigsuurs 1 and 2 at Flower Lake, Quinghe County in the southeastern Altai (as described in the previous posts above). However, the number of deer stones found in the Tianshan are limited in number, as compared to the plethora found in Quinghe and Fayan Counties.
Bayanbulak in relation to the Tarim Basin.
The Shibal-kul styled khirigsuur found in the Bayanbulak Grassland may have significance as the southern periphery of the Arimaspi culture. Trade with the Tocharians in the Tarim area would account for the bell-shaped earrings and stirrup-shaped horse bits (both common in the Arzhan, Tuva, region) found in Tarim burials.
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
