New Findings of "Deer" Stones in Mongolia Depicting an Armor and a Sword

"Deer" stones are an important source to study the life supporting system of the ancient nomadic peoples of Central Asia. A significant number of them are concentrated in Mongolia and adjacent territories. Despite the fact that the information about these stone sculptures dated from the 1 st half of the 1 millennium BC has been accumulated for many decades, the process of obtaining the data necessary for comprehensive reconstruction is still ongoing. Available in the scientific literature points of view on the design of "deer" stones were mainly formed in the 2nd half of the previous century. They reflect the results, significant in their scope. The process outlined the main complex weapons, demonstrated in the studied sculptures: a dagger, an ax hammer, a bow in a gorytos. In addition, we can mention an ax and probably a fighting knife. For some time there was a discussion about the interpretation of the images of so-called pentagonal lattice figures. Now, however, it is quite clear that this is the image of shields. With regard to the presence of other protective arms and other offensive weapons, few issues have been raised. Currently, the process of identifying and studying of "deer" stones in Central Asia continues. It actively involved Mongolian archaeologists, as well as their foreign counterparts (from Japan, France, Russia and other countries). Research is mainly carried out and implemented in the already well-known complexes in the centre of Mongolia. At the same time, and new discoveries have been made. There are different possibilities to fix the statues and images of them. In the course of work, the Buyant Russian-Mongolian archaeological expedition headed by the author of this article since 2007 carried out research using various methods of detailed documentation of ancient sculptures and produced a significant volume of materials requiring careful study. Of particular importance are the findings of "deer" stones complementing the existing information on weaponry. So in the area of the Enhtayvan uul (Arkhangai aimag in Mongolia) the copy of a small statue was made, where all the faces have vertical and horizontal lines conveying the contours of large armored plates. In 2015, the investigation in the Godon Gol valley (Bayan-Ulgii aimag of Mongolia) discovered a "deer" stone with a picture of a sword. The same pieces of weaponry were depicted on the several similar sculptures in the Hovd aimag in Mongolia. The urgency of their detailed fixation is determined by many problems that arise while considering the realities, doing the reconstruction and making comparison with the found objects (usually random findings). The solution of such problems provides a set of available documentation methods.

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