Zavkhan province, Mongolia 2002.
Turkic speaking tribal memorial stone, circa 7th C.
The belts typically featured on these stones are similar to those still worn ceremonially by Kazakh men today. The format is standard: Figure holding cup in right hand, facial hair, belt and usually sword/dagger.
In mongolian, these stele are known as 'Khun Chuluu', or Man Stones. Once Buddhism was firmly re-established in the 17th C, many of these stones were damaged or decapitated. Today they are much used by Steppe Buzzards (B. vulpinus) as a platform on the treeless steppe.
Finally, the bike in the background was an Ural.
|