FKA csen_nomads
@csennomads.bsky.social
Thank you for reading my thoughts on the falcon crown from Ar Tsaidam/Aluchaideng!
Xiongnu/Khünnü or not, it's one of my favorite artifacts associated with ancient nomads of the eastern Eurasian steppe.
26/26
Xiongnu/Khünnü or not, it's one of my favorite artifacts associated with ancient nomads of the eastern Eurasian steppe.
26/26
December 8, 2023 at 10:26 PM
Thank you for reading my thoughts on the falcon crown from Ar Tsaidam/Aluchaideng!
Xiongnu/Khünnü or not, it's one of my favorite artifacts associated with ancient nomads of the eastern Eurasian steppe.
26/26
Xiongnu/Khünnü or not, it's one of my favorite artifacts associated with ancient nomads of the eastern Eurasian steppe.
26/26
In the article, Dr. Andreeva examines how artisans of the Northern Frontier blended the Eurasian animal style with specific Chinese traditions into a unique regional aesthetic.
Her forthcoming book will likely expand on these insights: www.degruyter.com/document/isb...
25/n
Her forthcoming book will likely expand on these insights: www.degruyter.com/document/isb...
25/n
December 8, 2023 at 10:19 PM
In the article, Dr. Andreeva examines how artisans of the Northern Frontier blended the Eurasian animal style with specific Chinese traditions into a unique regional aesthetic.
Her forthcoming book will likely expand on these insights: www.degruyter.com/document/isb...
25/n
Her forthcoming book will likely expand on these insights: www.degruyter.com/document/isb...
25/n
On this subject, I highly recommend Petya Andreeva’s "Re-making animal bodies in the arts of early China and North Asia: perspectives from the steppe" (2022: doi:10.1017/eac.2022.7).
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December 8, 2023 at 10:16 PM
On this subject, I highly recommend Petya Andreeva’s "Re-making animal bodies in the arts of early China and North Asia: perspectives from the steppe" (2022: doi:10.1017/eac.2022.7).
24/n
24/n
While debate over Aluchaideng/Ar Tsaidam as a Xiongnu/Khünnü site continues, we can appreciate that its falcon crown and other dazzling artifacts represent a beautiful syncretism of Iron Age steppe nomadic and Chinese aesthetics.
23/n
23/n
December 8, 2023 at 10:07 PM
While debate over Aluchaideng/Ar Tsaidam as a Xiongnu/Khünnü site continues, we can appreciate that its falcon crown and other dazzling artifacts represent a beautiful syncretism of Iron Age steppe nomadic and Chinese aesthetics.
23/n
23/n
That critique is exemplified by William Honeychurch, recently awarded the highest Mongolian state award (Altan gadas odon, Order of the Polar Star) for his decades of exemplary archaeological work, in his 2015 ‘Inner Asia and the Spatial Politics of Empire’:
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December 8, 2023 at 9:51 PM
That critique is exemplified by William Honeychurch, recently awarded the highest Mongolian state award (Altan gadas odon, Order of the Polar Star) for his decades of exemplary archaeological work, in his 2015 ‘Inner Asia and the Spatial Politics of Empire’:
16/n
16/n
The Ordos regions was a frontier zone of cultural contact and interchange between steppe peoples from the north and Chinese populations to the south throughout the 1st millennium BCE.
[Map from Honeychurch, 2015]
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[Map from Honeychurch, 2015]
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December 8, 2023 at 9:46 PM
The Ordos regions was a frontier zone of cultural contact and interchange between steppe peoples from the north and Chinese populations to the south throughout the 1st millennium BCE.
[Map from Honeychurch, 2015]
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[Map from Honeychurch, 2015]
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Although these photos are credited to the Mongolian Natural History Museum and the Mongolian Ministry of Culture, the Ar Tsaidam (Aluchaideng) crown appears to be housed in the Inner Mongolia Museum, China: chinahighlights.com/hohhot/attra...
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December 8, 2023 at 9:40 PM
Although these photos are credited to the Mongolian Natural History Museum and the Mongolian Ministry of Culture, the Ar Tsaidam (Aluchaideng) crown appears to be housed in the Inner Mongolia Museum, China: chinahighlights.com/hohhot/attra...
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December 8, 2023 at 9:39 PM
The organic materials (cloth, fur) that held these pieces together disintegrated long before 1972, leaving what the complete headdress looked like to the imagination: depts.washington.edu/silkroad/exh...
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9/n
December 8, 2023 at 9:36 PM
The organic materials (cloth, fur) that held these pieces together disintegrated long before 1972, leaving what the complete headdress looked like to the imagination: depts.washington.edu/silkroad/exh...
9/n
9/n
According to the Encyclopaedia Xiongnu, gold wire was threaded from the falcon’s beak “through its head, neck and body and tail…Thus, every time the holder of the gold crown moves to the right and the tail also does accordingly” (2013: 50).
[Images: Laursen, 2011]
8/n
[Images: Laursen, 2011]
8/n
December 8, 2023 at 9:34 PM
According to the Encyclopaedia Xiongnu, gold wire was threaded from the falcon’s beak “through its head, neck and body and tail…Thus, every time the holder of the gold crown moves to the right and the tail also does accordingly” (2013: 50).
[Images: Laursen, 2011]
8/n
[Images: Laursen, 2011]
8/n
Atop the skull cap stands an avian sculpture constructed of lapis lazuli and gold.
Scholars are divided as to whether the bird is a falcon or an eagle.
But static images cannot convey a clever feature of the crown’s design: the falcon moves with the crown’s wearer!
7/n
Scholars are divided as to whether the bird is a falcon or an eagle.
But static images cannot convey a clever feature of the crown’s design: the falcon moves with the crown’s wearer!
7/n
December 8, 2023 at 9:32 PM
Atop the skull cap stands an avian sculpture constructed of lapis lazuli and gold.
Scholars are divided as to whether the bird is a falcon or an eagle.
But static images cannot convey a clever feature of the crown’s design: the falcon moves with the crown’s wearer!
7/n
Scholars are divided as to whether the bird is a falcon or an eagle.
But static images cannot convey a clever feature of the crown’s design: the falcon moves with the crown’s wearer!
7/n
Second is the upper part of the crown: the golden skullcap and falcon perched atop it.
The golden skull cap is engraved with four mirrored images: a wolf attacking an ibex (yangir).
6/n
The golden skull cap is engraved with four mirrored images: a wolf attacking an ibex (yangir).
6/n
December 8, 2023 at 9:31 PM
Second is the upper part of the crown: the golden skullcap and falcon perched atop it.
The golden skull cap is engraved with four mirrored images: a wolf attacking an ibex (yangir).
6/n
The golden skull cap is engraved with four mirrored images: a wolf attacking an ibex (yangir).
6/n
The six band ends are decorated with animal profiles: tiger for the upper, sheep (likely argali) for the lower front, and horse for the lower back.
5/n
5/n
December 8, 2023 at 9:30 PM
The six band ends are decorated with animal profiles: tiger for the upper, sheep (likely argali) for the lower front, and horse for the lower back.
5/n
5/n
First is a close-up of the crown’s lower part.
It was constructed of three golden bands, two forming the circle and the third forming the semicircle atop it, joined by small golden pillars and engraved with a woven or lattice pattern.
4/n
It was constructed of three golden bands, two forming the circle and the third forming the semicircle atop it, joined by small golden pillars and engraved with a woven or lattice pattern.
4/n
December 8, 2023 at 9:30 PM
First is a close-up of the crown’s lower part.
It was constructed of three golden bands, two forming the circle and the third forming the semicircle atop it, joined by small golden pillars and engraved with a woven or lattice pattern.
4/n
It was constructed of three golden bands, two forming the circle and the third forming the semicircle atop it, joined by small golden pillars and engraved with a woven or lattice pattern.
4/n
The Aluchaideng/Ar Tsaidam crown’s design is intricate and impressive.
We can take a closer look thanks to these high-quality photos: updown.mn/196108.html
3/n
We can take a closer look thanks to these high-quality photos: updown.mn/196108.html
3/n
December 8, 2023 at 9:28 PM
The Aluchaideng/Ar Tsaidam crown’s design is intricate and impressive.
We can take a closer look thanks to these high-quality photos: updown.mn/196108.html
3/n
We can take a closer look thanks to these high-quality photos: updown.mn/196108.html
3/n
In 1972, archaeologists excavated two monumental burials at Aluchaideng (Ar Tsaidam/Ар Цайдам in Mongolian) in Inner Mongolia [Hanggin banner, Ikh Zuu aimag/Ordos prefecture].
There they discovered this crown along with numerous other spectacular finds.
2/n
There they discovered this crown along with numerous other spectacular finds.
2/n
December 8, 2023 at 9:28 PM
In 1972, archaeologists excavated two monumental burials at Aluchaideng (Ar Tsaidam/Ар Цайдам in Mongolian) in Inner Mongolia [Hanggin banner, Ikh Zuu aimag/Ordos prefecture].
There they discovered this crown along with numerous other spectacular finds.
2/n
There they discovered this crown along with numerous other spectacular finds.
2/n
The Ar Tsaidam/Aluchaideng crown came up on the Cursed App today.
So let me share my 2022 thread on this amazing artifact associated with Iron Age nomads and the steppe.
A skein/thread: dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/fisher/i...
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So let me share my 2022 thread on this amazing artifact associated with Iron Age nomads and the steppe.
A skein/thread: dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/fisher/i...
1/n
December 8, 2023 at 9:26 PM
The Ar Tsaidam/Aluchaideng crown came up on the Cursed App today.
So let me share my 2022 thread on this amazing artifact associated with Iron Age nomads and the steppe.
A skein/thread: dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/fisher/i...
1/n
So let me share my 2022 thread on this amazing artifact associated with Iron Age nomads and the steppe.
A skein/thread: dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/fisher/i...
1/n
Монгол тэмээ, хонгор минь
A rightly proud Bactrian camel mother with her twin calves born in Gov'-Altai Province, Mongolia (in 2022), decked out in blue khadag.
Image source: twitter.com/csen_nomads/...
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A rightly proud Bactrian camel mother with her twin calves born in Gov'-Altai Province, Mongolia (in 2022), decked out in blue khadag.
Image source: twitter.com/csen_nomads/...
2/n
December 5, 2023 at 9:41 PM
Монгол тэмээ, хонгор минь
A rightly proud Bactrian camel mother with her twin calves born in Gov'-Altai Province, Mongolia (in 2022), decked out in blue khadag.
Image source: twitter.com/csen_nomads/...
2/n
A rightly proud Bactrian camel mother with her twin calves born in Gov'-Altai Province, Mongolia (in 2022), decked out in blue khadag.
Image source: twitter.com/csen_nomads/...
2/n
2024: the Year of the Camel(ids)!
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
Camelids include camels (Bactrian, dromedary, wild), llamas, alpacas, wild vicuñas, and guanacos. These animals are key to nomadic lifeways around the world.
What's your favorite camelid?
[Mine is easy to guess ]
1/n
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
Camelids include camels (Bactrian, dromedary, wild), llamas, alpacas, wild vicuñas, and guanacos. These animals are key to nomadic lifeways around the world.
What's your favorite camelid?
[Mine is easy to guess ]
1/n
December 5, 2023 at 9:39 PM
2024: the Year of the Camel(ids)!
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
Camelids include camels (Bactrian, dromedary, wild), llamas, alpacas, wild vicuñas, and guanacos. These animals are key to nomadic lifeways around the world.
What's your favorite camelid?
[Mine is easy to guess ]
1/n
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
Camelids include camels (Bactrian, dromedary, wild), llamas, alpacas, wild vicuñas, and guanacos. These animals are key to nomadic lifeways around the world.
What's your favorite camelid?
[Mine is easy to guess ]
1/n
"The last of their kind: The unique life of Pakistan's Wakhi shepherdesses"
www.bbc.com/news/world-a...
www.bbc.com/news/world-a...
November 28, 2023 at 9:58 PM
"The last of their kind: The unique life of Pakistan's Wakhi shepherdesses"
www.bbc.com/news/world-a...
www.bbc.com/news/world-a...
Many thanks to Sue Byrne and Khulan Chimed for devoting their time and scholarly talents to such an important topic in the recent history of Mongolia!
All info and pics credited to: facebook.com/groups/mongo...
4/4
All info and pics credited to: facebook.com/groups/mongo...
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November 28, 2023 at 9:50 PM
Many thanks to Sue Byrne and Khulan Chimed for devoting their time and scholarly talents to such an important topic in the recent history of Mongolia!
All info and pics credited to: facebook.com/groups/mongo...
4/4
All info and pics credited to: facebook.com/groups/mongo...
4/4
As Byrne writes in the OP on FB, the elders "talk about the monasteries as they knew them up to the late 1930s. Most of these [monasteries] have now disappeared with barely a trace so these memories of monasteries are very precious".
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November 28, 2023 at 9:49 PM
As Byrne writes in the OP on FB, the elders "talk about the monasteries as they knew them up to the late 1930s. Most of these [monasteries] have now disappeared with barely a trace so these memories of monasteries are very precious".
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Scholars Sue Byrne and Khulan Chimed recently published a three-book series focused on interviews with elderly Mongolian men who had been monks prior to the 1937-1939 purges: facebook.com/groups/mongo...
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November 28, 2023 at 9:48 PM
Scholars Sue Byrne and Khulan Chimed recently published a three-book series focused on interviews with elderly Mongolian men who had been monks prior to the 1937-1939 purges: facebook.com/groups/mongo...
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Congratulations to Dr. Iderkhangai, his team, and everyone whose work contributed to the discovery of these petroglyphs in the Baysakh and Goyot districts of Gurvantes County, Ömnögov’ Province, Mongolia!
18/n
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November 22, 2023 at 10:26 PM
Congratulations to Dr. Iderkhangai, his team, and everyone whose work contributed to the discovery of these petroglyphs in the Baysakh and Goyot districts of Gurvantes County, Ömnögov’ Province, Mongolia!
18/n
18/n
If you’re in Ulaanbaatar, see an exhibit on the Ömnögov’ Province rock art discoveries at Norphei Art Gallery, November 25-30.
Dr. Iderkhangai and his team are collaborating with the governments of Gurvantes County and Ömnögov’ Province on this exhibition: www.facebook.com/ChuluunShast...
17/n
Dr. Iderkhangai and his team are collaborating with the governments of Gurvantes County and Ömnögov’ Province on this exhibition: www.facebook.com/ChuluunShast...
17/n
November 22, 2023 at 10:25 PM
If you’re in Ulaanbaatar, see an exhibit on the Ömnögov’ Province rock art discoveries at Norphei Art Gallery, November 25-30.
Dr. Iderkhangai and his team are collaborating with the governments of Gurvantes County and Ömnögov’ Province on this exhibition: www.facebook.com/ChuluunShast...
17/n
Dr. Iderkhangai and his team are collaborating with the governments of Gurvantes County and Ömnögov’ Province on this exhibition: www.facebook.com/ChuluunShast...
17/n