nscArchaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of EurasiaАрхеология, этнография и антропология Евразии1563-0110IAET SB RAS10.17746/1563-0110.2024.52.1.058-069nsc-1836Research ArticlePALEOENVIRONMENT. THE STONE AGEПАЛЕОЭКОЛОГИЯ. КАМЕННЫЙ ВЕКSanctuary with “Kalguty” Style Images in Northwestern Mongolia (Preliminary Data)MolodinV. I.

Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090

BatboldN.

Peace Avenue, MAS building-1, Ulaanbaatar, 13330

ZotkinaL. V.

Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090

CheremisinD. V.

Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090

NenakhovaY. V.

Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of SciencesRussian FederationInstitute of Archaeology, Mongolian Academy of SciencesMongolia2024040420245215869Copyright © Molodin V.I., Batbold N., Zotkina L.V., Cheremisin D.V., Nenakhova Y.V., 20242024Molodin V.I., Batbold N., Zotkina L.V., Cheremisin D.V., Nenakhova Y.V.Molodin V.I., Batbold N., Zotkina L.V., Cheremisin D.V., Nenakhova Y.V.Данная работа распространяется под лицензией Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://journal.archaeology.nsc.ru/jour/article/view/1836

This article presents the first results of a detailed study of a key rock art site with the earliest petroglyphs in the Mongolian Altai—Baga-Oigur-5 (Right Bank). Basic data on its location, the surrounding environment, etc. are provided. The main groups of petroglyphs are characterized and attributed. The most numerous group, that of the “Kalguty” style, is examined in detail. This style was previously attributed by the current authors to the Final Upper Paleolithic. Bronze Age and medieval petroglyphs are also present at the site. The most informative panels show single horses, bulls, sheep, and deer rendered in the “Kalguty” style, as well as compositions including these animals. Among the earliest local rock art, for the first time, a nonfigurative sign has been found, resembling a grid, connected with the figure of a horse in a manner that is typical of prehistoric art. The analysis of a multilayered composition—one of the most important—confirms the hypothesis that “Kalguty” style petroglyphs predate the Bronze Age. The unusual natural context of Baga-Oigur-5 (Right Bank) is addressed in detail: a restricted area with available flat rock surfaces standing out against a background landscape with convex boulders. The arrangement of rock carvings within the site is unusual: animal figures on various surfaces combine in a nearly compositional manner. A tentative conclusion is made that the site was a sanctuary.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.