Archaeology of Past Nomads on the Mongolian Steppe
Uncover the secrets of Mongolia’s past with this online course from the National University of Mongolia.
Duration
6 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Archaeology of Past Nomads on the Mongolian Steppe
Discover more about ancient nomads on Mongolia's steppe
Mongolia has a rich history dating back thousands of years, characterised by the nomadic lifestyle of its people.
From ancient times to the era of imperial nomads, uncovering Mongolia’s heritage is vital for understanding the roots of contemporary Mongolian culture and its impact on world history.
Peel back the past with this online archaeology course from the National University of Mongolia. You’ll have the opportunity to explore historical sites, monuments, and artefacts to learn more about life on the Mongolian steppe.
Dig deep into archaeological studies to reveal more about Mongolia’s nomadic past
You’ll begin this course by learning the fundamentals of archaeology, particularly as it relates to mobile communities.
Focusing specifically on past nomads in Mongolia, you’ll explore how archaeological studies shed light on their lifestyles, cultural practices, and contributions to broader anthropological topics, such as the construction of monumental structures and urban development of nomadic settlements.
Unearth past lives on the steppe by analysing artefacts, dwelling sites, and other material evidence from the Mongol empire
During the second half of this course, you’ll delve into how states formed on the Mongolian Steppe and explore the intriguing political processes that shaped ancient societies.
You’ll also discover fascinating insights into the daily lives of nomads through the critical study of dwelling sites, providing a unique perspective on their culture and social organisation.
By the course’s end, you’ll possess the tools to uncover deeper insights into Mongolia’s ancient history, and you’ll be able to apply this knowledge to different studies of archaeological sites and historical periods.
Syllabus
Week 1
Archaeology of Mobile Societies
Concept of Space
As modern-day archaeology considers, space is not something given or is not just a neutral, passive thing. In each culture, space has a meaning and often societies and people make decisions based on space and its features.
Concept of Mobility
As steppe people adopted new means of transportation and ways to cross the landscape at another level, it opened them a completely new world and opportunities.
Relationship of People and Animals
Originally described in textual records as steppe people who lived by following their animals, the description of steppe population has significantly changed since then.
Terminologies and Additional Information
Terminologies and Additional information of this week
Week 2
Large-Scale Monumentality
Large-Scale Monumentality and Khirigsuurs
Introduction to the importance of large-scale monumentality in archaeology and its significance to our investigations of past societies and processes.
Chronological Analysis of Khirigsuurs
We will discuss how this analytical approach helps archaeologists to determine whether large-scale monuments were the products of hierarchical decision-making or of communal decisions and traditions.
Prestige Display and Khirigsuurs
As large-scale monuments have often been associated with elites and royals, testing whether they were used as stages of prestige display helps archaeologists to determine the purpose and causes behind their construction.
Terminologies and Additional Information
Terminologies and Additional information of this week
Week 3
Archaeology of the Mongol Empire and Urbanism
The Mongol Empire
Introduction to the Mongol Empire and its founding father, the Great Chinggis Khan.
Prelude to the Mongol Empire: Early Nature of Urbanism and its Archaeology
Is urbanism the same in sedentary and nomadic societies? If not, how were they different and what was the true nature of urbanism in the nomadic world? These are the questions that interested archaeologists for a long time.
Urbanism during the Mongol Empire
Dive into the discussion whether the nature of urbanism changed since the capital was moved to central Mongolia or it continued to carry the old traditions of nomadic urbanism.
Terminologies and Additional Information
Terminologies and Additional Information of this week
Week 4
Tracing Socio-Political Changes through Archaeology
Monuments as Source of Information for Socio-Political Changes
Introduction to the potential of stone monuments to become significant source of information about past events, processes, and changes, especially when different types of monuments are reliable placed in chronological order.
The Local Approach
As there are many approaches in archaeology to address different questions, we offer you to dive into this case study to analyze two different stone monuments from two different periods.
The Regional Approach
The more broader or regional approach is taken into consideration to either support or discredit the local approach.
Terminologies and Additional Information
Terminologies and Additional Information of this activity
Week 5
Nomads as a State Builders
States and Nomads: The Problem
This lecture offers two perspectives with single objective: to explain how herding nomads could unite and form a high level of social complexity?
Historical Perspective
We will discuss the downfalls of early textual records in explaining this process and propose alternative approaches that can come from other scientific disciplines one of which is archaeology.
Alternative perspectives on the formation of the Xiongnu state
Archaeology allows us to produce understandings of much higher resolution than any other source.
Terminologies and Additional Information
Terminologies and Additional Information of this activity
Week 6
Habitation Archaeology
Archaeology and Habitation Sites of Past Nomads
Introduction to the importance of habitation sites and their research to our investigations of the past.
Methods of Finding and Testing Habitation Site
Find out why has it been so challenging for archaeologists to find habitation sites of past nomads and what kinds of methodological approaches have been implemented by those who took upon this challenge to enrich our knowledge.
Current Studies of Habitation Sites in Mongolia
While it tremendous amount of time and resources to finds these sites, initial positive results have started to shed more light on the potential of habitation archaeology to become one of the most important source of information.
Terminologies and Additional Information
Terminologies and Additional Information of this activity
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore the rich world of archaeological sites of past nomads in Mongolia.
- Discuss the reasons and conditions of past events and processes established from material evidence.
- Develop skills of producing socio-cultural interpretations related to past events based on archaeological evidence and different analytical methods implemented by modern-day archaeologists.
- Engage in most recent archaeological discussions regarding past nomadic societies, including large-scale monumentality, urbanism, formation of states, habitation archaeology, and socio-political processes.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone studying or interested in archaeology and its related disciplines.
It will be particularly insightful for learners wishing to know more about nomadic societies and Mongolian history.
Who will you learn with?
I am an archaeologist who studies past cultural and social processes related to nomads on the Mongolian steppe through their material remains that I find during my surveys and excavations.
Who developed the course?
National University of Mongolia
The National University of Mongolia is Mongolia’s first and most comprehensive higher education institution. Since its establishment, it has been home to leading professors conducting cutting-edge research in priority fields such as natural and applied sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
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Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$27.99
For the first two months. Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$134/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 13 Jun 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 5 May 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 5 May 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
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