nscArchaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of EurasiaАрхеология, этнография и антропология Евразии1563-0110IAET SB RAS10.17746/1563-0110.2024.52.4.125-130nsc-2022Research ArticleTHE METAL AGES AND MEDIEVAL PERIODЭПОХА ПАЛЕОМЕТАЛЛАAn Old Mongolian Inscription near the Second (Small) Sulfate Lake in Northern Khakassia as Evidence of Cultural Contacts in the Region in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Agehttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4056-0670SkobelevS. G.

Laboratory Head

Pirogova 1, Novosibirsk, 630090

sgskobelev@yandex.ruVasilievD. D.

Department Head

Rozhdestvenka 12, Moscow, 107031

Novosibirsk State UniversityRussian FederationInstitute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of SciencesRussian Federation202413012025524125130Copyright © Skobelev S.G., Vasiliev D.D., 20252025Skobelev S.G., Vasiliev D.D.Skobelev S.G., Vasiliev D.D.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://journal.archaeology.nsc.ru/jour/article/view/2022

We describe a rare Old Mongolian inscription carved on an outcrop of Devonian sandstone near the Second (Small) Sulfate Lake in northern Khakassia. Tentative translation, dating, and cultural attribution are provided. The condition of the inscription and adjacent representations of humans, animals, and tamgas are described. Three groups of signs of which the Old Mongolian inscription consists are identified. Variants of translation to modern Mongolian and Russian are proposed. One group of signs renders the text: “In the Year of the Snake, the second winter month, the 21st day…” Other graphemes, translated from Mongolian, mean: master, elapsed, horseman, give, herd, steppe (talo). Certain words are indistinct and illegible. The lower and upper chronological limits of the inscription are 1204 to early 1720s. Horsemen figures are carved in the same technique. Old Buryat parallels suggest a rather recent date. Pre-Mongolian tamgas are pecked rather than carved. The script belongs to the latest instances of Old Mongolian epigraphy in the region.

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