Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Environmental change and imperial land use in central Mongolia: a multiproxy lake record from the vicinity of Karakorum over the last 1260 years

  A high-resolution, multiproxy analysis of Lake Deliin Burd sediments reveals that the Orkhon Valley's forest-steppe ecosystem in central Mongolia has been shaped by a complex interplay between climate variability and imperial land-use strategies over the last 1260 years. The study identifies increased fire frequency during the Khitan (∼800 cal. yr BP) and Mongol (∼630 cal. yr BP) periods, linked to higher woody fuel input, while coprophilous fungal spores and Poaceae Cerealia-type pollen indicate persistent agropastoral activities. These findings highlight the resilience and transformation of forest-steppe landscapes in response to shifting socio-political regimes, offering new insights into the long-term environmental history and heritage value of Inner Asia's imperial centers.

  Barhoumi, C., Rohland, H., Franken, C., Dulamsuren, C., Saindovdon, D., & Behling, H. (2026). Environmental change and imperial land use in central Mongolia: a multiproxy lake record from the vicinity of Karakorum over the last 1260 years. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 691, 113752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2026.113752

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• Origins of Mongolian Urbanization and the Role of Towns in the Golden Horde

  Mongolian urbanization in the 13th century, driven by strategic and economic needs, laid the foundation for the Golden Horde's rise as a global trade hub. The study reveals that towns like Karakorum and Sarai-Batu emerged not from existing settlements but were purpose-built to centralize wealth, facilitate governance, and integrate into international trade networks. Avarga, an early Mongol residence, served as a fortress for wealth protection, while Karakorum's location in the Orkhon Valley optimized communication, trade, and craft production. The Golden Horde's urban centers thrived by leveraging their economic potential, connecting Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, but faced decline due to internal conflicts and Timur's invasions. This research combines archaeological evidence with written sources to trace the evolution of Mongolian urbanization and its global impact.

  Vasyutin, S. A. (2026). Origins of Mongolian Urbanization and the Role of Towns in the Golden Horde. Golden Horde Review, 14(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2026-14-1.19-36

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• Can dung pollen reveal livestock dietary preferences and grazing patterns in Central Mongolia?

  Seasonal vegetation dynamics play the dominant role in shaping livestock dietary preferences and grazing patterns in Central Mongolia, according to the first palynological analysis of dung samples from sheep, goats, horses, and cattle/yaks. The study, conducted across steppe and river-meadow habitats during spring, summer, and autumn 2021, revealed that pollen composition in dung varies significantly with season—Cyperaceae in spring, Amaranthaceae and Poaceae in summer, and Artemisia in autumn—while livestock species and habitat exert secondary but notable effects. Small ruminants exhibit higher dietary diversity than large grazers, underscoring the potential of dung pollen as a proxy for both modern grazing ecology and palaeoecological reconstruction. This research provides critical insights into rangeland degradation concerns linked to increasing livestock numbers in Mongolia.

  C, B., Veith, S. J., L, D., G, R., M, T., S, S., C, D., & H, B. (2026). Can dung pollen reveal livestock dietary preferences and grazing patterns in Central Mongolia? Journal of Arid Environments, 235, 105613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2026.105613

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• Water for the Khan: Unveiling the Hidden Well of Karabalgasun

  A groundbreaking excavation of Karabalgasun, the ancient Uyghur capital in Mongolia's Orkhon Valley, revealed a deep, intricately designed well and a trove of artifacts that shed light on the site's political significance as a Silk Road hub. Among the discoveries were lacquered wooden poles, Tang dynasty jade books with imperial decrees, high-status objects, and a gyrfalcon skeleton, offering insights into courtly culture, diplomacy, and ritual practices spanning the Uyghur and Khitan periods. The study also pioneered trehalose-based conservation techniques in Mongolia, successfully preserving waterlogged wooden artifacts for research and exhibition. This multidisciplinary approach not only advances our understanding of Karabalgasun's role in trade and prestige but also sets a new standard for archaeological conservation in the region.

  Franken, C., Rohland, H., Erdenebat, U., Oyuntulga, M., & Dejidmaa, B.-O. (2026). Water for the Khan: Unveiling the Hidden Well of Karabalgasun. Mongolian Journal of Anthropology, Archaeology and Ethnology, 15(1), 48–57. https://doi.org/10.22353/mjaae.2026150105

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• Being-in-the-field: Ethnographic Observations on Archaeological Fieldwork in Central Mongolia

  This study introduces the concept of 'ethnography of archaeological fieldwork' within the context of Central Mongolia, focusing on the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. It reveals how archaeological knowledge production is not only a process rooted in the past but also deeply embedded in contemporary societal dynamics and pastoral landscapes. Through two fieldwork seasons (2023 and 2024), the research explores the daily life at an excavation site, the interplay between archaeological activities and existing infrastructures, and the reflexive perspective of the researcher as both insider and outsider. The findings underscore the potential for this approach to foster more ethical archaeological practices by integrating local contexts into the study of material culture.

  Conte, C. (2026). Being-in-the-field: Ethnographic Observations on Archaeological Fieldwork in Central Mongolia. Mongolian Journal of Anthropology, Archaeology and Ethnology, 15(1), 28–39. https://doi.org/10.22353/mjaae.2026150103

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• Preservation Challenges for Ancient Temples: Conservation Ethics in India and Mongolia

  Conservation ethics for ancient temples must balance authenticity, ritual continuity, and stakeholder engagement to address complex preservation challenges. A comparative study of Ajanta–Ellora (India) and Erdene Zuu Monastery (Mongolia) reveals that while India focuses on managing living, ritual-intensive sites, Mongolia grapples with reconstructing destroyed sites while preserving material authenticity. The research integrates international frameworks like the Venice Charter and Nara Document, alongside local reports and peer-reviewed scholarship, to highlight how physical deterioration, tourism pressures, and historical violence shape preservation decisions. It advocates for culturally sensitive, stakeholder-driven conservation strategies that prioritize ethical considerations and sustainable management of sacred heritage.

  Raj, D., & Ray, Dr. R. B. (2026). Preservation Challenges for Ancient Temples: Conservation Ethics in India and Mongolia. ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities, 3(6), 360–369. https://doi.org/10.70558/spijsh.2026.v3.i6.45822

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• Footholds for Peopling the Valley of the Middle Reaches of the Selenga River in the Early Upper Paleolithic

  A new analysis of Upper Paleolithic sites in the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape reveals that high-elevation locations (50–85 m above river level) likely served as strategic footholds for ancient populations, combining functions such as raw material sources, observation posts, logistical nodes, and habitation areas. Unlike lower-lying sites (10–40 m), these higher sites facilitated movement between major tributaries—Khaniy-Gol, Egijn-Gol, and Ikh-Tulberiin-Gol—while also offering access to hunting grounds in the Kharganyn-Gol valley. The study used cluster analysis of 52 sites based on elevation and distance from water, along with cost surface modeling to assess energy expenditure for movement, confirming the transit role of the Tolbor valley and its connectivity to adjacent regions.

  Marchenko, D. V., Khatsenovich, A. M., & Rybin, E. P. (2026). Footholds for Peopling the Valley of the Middle Reaches of the Selenga River in the Early Upper Paleolithic. Problems of Archaeology, Ethnography, Anthropology of Siberia and Neighboring Territories, 32(1), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.17746/2658-6193.2026.32.1.115-123

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