Memorial/Hero stones

Jon MB · 19th October 2018, 07:49 AM

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.

Jens Nordlunde · 19th October 2018, 04:25 PM

Jon, thank you for showing this very old Man Stone.
When it comes to sculptures I am sometimes wondering if it is a Hero Stone, or if it is a deity. Especially when it is so old and worn as this one, where any possible text has long been gone.

Jon MB · 19th October 2018, 10:31 PM

Hi Jens, yes, I follow.

Here is a link to start further reading, good for bibliography.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurgan_stelae

These Turkic stones are well documented.

Ian · 19th October 2018, 11:04 PM

Jon:

Thank you for the information about these ancient stones used widely as funeral stones to commemorate the deceased and the site of the burial of their ashes.

I think what Jens has described, and what I have observed in Gujarat, may be a little different in nature. The stones that I observed were to recognize notable warriors who fell in battle. The stones were placed by their families at the site they were killed. Centuries later they were collected by keepers of the local Royal mausoleum and placed there. Their collection and storage in that cemetery occurred in the last 20-30 years.

Ian

19th October 2018, 07:49 AM	#1
Jon MB Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 143	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. Attached Images

19th October 2018, 04:25 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Jon, thank you for showing this very old Man Stone. When it comes to sculptures I am sometimes wondering if it is a Hero Stone, or if it is a deity. Especially when it is so old and worn as this one, where any possible text has long been gone.

19th October 2018, 10:31 PM	#3
Jon MB Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 143	Hi Jens, yes, I follow. Here is a link to start further reading, good for bibliography. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurgan_stelae These Turkic stones are well documented.

19th October 2018, 11:04 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,362	Jon: Thank you for the information about these ancient stones used widely as funeral stones to commemorate the deceased and the site of the burial of their ashes. I think what Jens has described, and what I have observed in Gujarat, may be a little different in nature. The stones that I observed were to recognize notable warriors who fell in battle. The stones were placed by their families at the site they were killed. Centuries later they were collected by keepers of the local Royal mausoleum and placed there. Their collection and storage in that cemetery occurred in the last 20-30 years. Ian