Land and People of the Mongolian Steppes

Archaeological evidence from northern Mongolia reveals early human habitation in the steppe regions, including the Selengge, Tula, and Orkhon river valleys. This challenges the notion that nomadic life emerged later in history, suggesting a continuous presence of humans in these areas since the Paleolithic era. The study employs a geographical approach to contrast the arid nomadic lands north of the Great Wall with the intensively farmed monsoon regions to the south, highlighting the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape as a key heartland for historical dominion and trade route control. By mapping the extent of power and activity from Manchuria to eastern Europe, the research underscores the strategic significance of the Mongolian plateau in shaping East Asian and global history.

Jagchid, S., Hyer, P., & Fletcher, J. (2019). Land and People of the Mongolian Steppes. Mongolia’s Culture and Society, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429050855-1