Baga Arcat graves
Part of the Orxon Valley Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site. Situated in Övörxangai aimag, 2.5 km from Xarxorin, on the northern bank of the Orxon River.
There are a great number of ancient graves located in Baga Arcat valley. One grave, measuring 3 m in diameter, was excavated in 1979. [1] The body of a man with Mongoloid features was discovered at a depth of one metre from the surface, with his head facing backwards and pointing due north, and his arms and legs laid out straight. Several sheep vertebrae had been placed in the northern corner of the grave next to the skull, while under the head were found remnants of cotton materials and two pearl necklaces; in the vicinity of the thighbone were found iron scissors, an ornamental metal plate with a five-petaled flower pattern in the centre, and remnants of birchbark items. This grave is likely that of a Mongolian commoner from the 11th-15th centuries.
This grave is similar to those excavated in Dornogov' (Selengiin Ulaan Zeegt), Dundgov' (Xaan Uul), Ömnögov' (Xar Argalant), Övörxangai (Bogd sum), and along the Xerlen river (40 km from Choibalsan), as well as along the Angar and Lena Rivers, on Ol'xon island and in the Barguz valley in the Baikal region of Russia, which have been dated as belonging to the 11th to 15th centuries. In most of these burials the body is placed in a coffin made of wooden logs or planks, with the head facing due north, the body facing backwards, and with the arms and legs stretched out straight. Above the ground is a round or oval-shaped mound. The burial objects are also similar, especially with respect to the inclusion of iron scissors.
Notes
- ↑ Д Цэвээндорж. Эртний оршуулга. Археологи судлал, Т XI f.6 69-70. Д. Цэвээндорж. 1982 оны МЗТСХЭ-ийн палеолитын дурсгал судлах ангийн тайлан. Түүхийн хүрээлэнгийн гэр бичмэлийн сан.
 | In commemoration of the legacy and teachings of His Holiness Dulduit Danzanravzhaa Fifth Wrathful Noble Xutagt of the Great Gobi (1803-1856) I did not overbearingly sophize Nor preach with pride and arrogance But having found a sense in this world Spoke the truth of my dear heart. |   |