Half an hour up the hill under the hot July sun. There is no path, but walking is quite easy and even pleasant. It smells like thyme and mountain herbs. A lizard slips out from under your feet. Grasshoppers chirp. The view from above is mesmerizing: there is a huge sky above the foothills of the Sayan Mountains. The Usinsky tract stretches like a thin thread between the hills. People have been walking along the ancient path for four thousand years. The Scythians roamed here, and the troops of Genghis Khan set out to conquer the world. At the beginning of the last century, the White Guards, under pressure from the Bolsheviks, were looking for a way to retreat to Mongolia.
Currently, archaeological excavations are taking place in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and neighboring Tuva. One of the largest in Russia and the world. This is related to construction railway Kyzyl - Kuragino, part of which will pass along the ancient path.
Valley of the Kings
Back in the 60-70s of the last century, on the territory of Tuva and the south of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences led archaeological research. At this time, a large number of historical monuments were discovered.
A real sensation, comparable in significance only to the discovery of Schiemann's Troy, happened in 1974. Then a mound with burials was discovered in Tuva (it was named after the neighboring village - Arzhaan), with a huge number of artifacts. This place was immediately nicknamed the Valley of the Kings.
Excavations of another mound - Arzhaan-2 - in the same area in 2001 created a real sensation. Here they found the royal couple, accompanied by many associates. The leaders left for another world with a huge amount of precious things: jewelry, utensils. Even the clothes were completely covered with golden scales.
Nikolai Bokovenko, now the head of the second detachment of the Sayan archaeological expedition working in the construction zone of the Kyzyl-Kuragino railway, was part of the group that conducted excavations at the legendary Arzhaan-2. He says those finds affected him unforgettable impression: There were some really unique things there. For example, just one of the 20-centimeter women's stiletto heels in the shape of a deer is valued at approximately two million dollars. And almost 25 kilograms of similar gold jewelry were discovered!
However, the conclusions that these findings allowed us to draw are completely priceless.
Previously, it was believed that the territory of Tuva and the south of the Krasnoyarsk Territory was the distant periphery of the powerful Scythian empire. But the results of excavations confirm the hypothesis: ancient civilization originated here. By the way, Herodotus also spoke about the Central Asian origin of this legendary people.
Homeland of the Scythians
It must be said that this territory - the south of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and Central Asia in general - is a unique region that was a real generator of nations,” explains Nikolai Bokovenko, associate professor at the St. Petersburg Institute of Culture and Arts. - We study paleoclimate (that is, ancient climate), compare different regions based on weather patterns. For example, it turns out that the most prosperous place in those ancient times was the Sayano-Altai region. Here, in the Minusinsk Basin, there was a real ecumene (a particularly favorable region for life). This is an incredibly interesting area in all respects; its study is very important for science.
About three thousand years ago there was a high population density here. In the south of our region and in Tuva, peoples concentrated, and then moved west - all the way to Central Europe. From here, starting from the first millennium BC, there was a migration of Scythians, Huns, Turks, and Tatar-Mongols. Why they moved west is unclear. Perhaps in search of a better life. Perhaps they were led forward by those who were young, active and energetic (passionaries, according to Lev Gumilyov’s definition). Perhaps they obeyed the instinct of conquerors, as in the case of Genghis Khan.
All these peoples, who long ago disappeared from the face of the earth, moved along the ancient road - now it is called the Usinsky tract. Along this unique path, excavations of ancient sites, burials and a kind of “campsites” are being carried out (three, two thousand, and a hundred years ago, our ancestors, like us, traveled and had picnics on the side of the road). Each such parking lot is “multi-layered”: after all, if the place is really convenient, it will always be used. Therefore, it often happens that archaeologists begin to excavate, for example, a 19th-century cellar, and under it they discover artifacts from the Bronze Age.
Cauldron of Nations
The amount of work ahead is enormous. Therefore, they decided to attract volunteers to help the archaeologists. For the third year now, the international volunteer camp “Valley of the Kings” has been operating in Tuva. Since extensive excavations are being carried out in the south of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, it was decided to create a second volunteer camp here. So, last year, another camp appeared on the territory of the Ermakovsky district - “Ermak”.
“Valley of the Kings” and “Ermak” were organized because the idea arose, with the help of the Russian Geographical Society, to make the “Kyzyl-Kuragino” project not only scientific,” explains Denis Gergilev, director of the international volunteer archaeological camp “Ermak”. - Guys from all over Russia and from other countries of the world come to us, to Siberia.
Among the volunteers, the first to be chosen are historians, archaeologists, geologists, and geographers; for them, participation in excavations is a unique practice. However, everyone has a chance to take part in the project. For example, oceanologists and journalists now work at Ermak. Several students from Colombia arrived at once - a friend who came here last year encouraged.
Many of those who have visited here once strive to return again. Because this is an opportunity to see an amazing region and a chance to gain unique knowledge.
The guys work at the excavations in the first half of the day. In the second, they play sports and communicate,” says Denis Gergilev. - For them, leading teachers of the Siberian Federal University give lectures on the history, geography and ethnography of our region. The guys go on excursions and go on mountain hikes in Ergaki.
Every day for young people is scheduled by the hour. They are all busy with big, interesting things. It is participation in it that makes many reevaluate their lives. After a trip to the “Valley of the Kings” and “Ermak”, someone quits their unloved job, someone begins to seriously engage in science. After all, one of the goals of archeology is to answer simple, human questions. What color did our distant ancestors have hair and eyes? Did they like to travel or were they homebodies? How did you dress? What were you interested in? Understand what the people who lived here three thousand years ago were like - and all in order to understand yourself.
REFERENCE
In the early 2000s, archaeologists presented the world with a real sensation. On the territory of Tuva, two mounds were excavated - Arzhaan-1 and Arzhaan-2 in the Valley of the Kings, untouched by robbers. Burial Arzhaan-2 dates back to the 6th-5th centuries. BC e. And this is the earliest historical monument Scythian culture.
The Arzhaan-2 mound has become a real Klondike for archaeologists. More than 20 kg of high 990 gold were extracted from it. This collection of gold objects is secretly called the main archaeological discovery of the 21st century.
The Tuvan Valley of the Kings is known far beyond the borders of the republic. At its core, it is a huge accumulation of mounds that are ancient in origin. In other words, in a basin surrounded by a chain of mountains, the ancient graves of leaders of various tribes are concentrated. These burials were attributed to the Uyuk cultural period. The valley is located approximately seventy kilometers north-west of the capital of the republic - Kyzyl and is divided into two zones, the territories of which are called “Arzhan No. 1” and “Arzhan No. 2”.
Story
The famous Valley of the Kings, or, as it is also called the Royal Valley, is located in one of the most picturesque regions of the republic - Piy-Khemsky. It is surrounded by mountains and seems full of historical secrets and treasures. The names of the burials reflect the name of the nearby settlement - Arzhan. The mounds are considered the oldest and largest area of all such zones of the Scythian period, and date back to the 4th-7th centuries BC. Based on this fact alone, one can imagine what archaeological value they have. And archaeologists do not miss the opportunity to carry out survey work on the territory of the mounds. Excavations are carried out almost all year round, with the possible exception of the winter season.
Peculiarities
“Arzhan-1” is considered the most explored of the two territories. Its in-depth study was carried out in the period from 2001-2003 with the help of the Russian-German society. It was then that it was precisely established that the burial places belonged to the royal dynasties. Luck smiled on the archaeologists, and an undisturbed crypt was found in one of the underground rooms. As it turned out, at least seventeen people and one hundred and sixty horses were buried here, which were customary to be buried with their owners. During the study, it was also revealed that the Tuvan mounds are more ancient than the Black Sea mounds. This fact gave scientists reason to believe that it was the burials of the Valley of the Kings that were the original ones, and from them the famous Scythian era began, which spread to more distant regions. After completion of work most of objects found during excavations became the property of the National Republican Museum, where it is kept today.
The Valley of the Kings was and remains the largest North Asian burial site, and its study has made a huge contribution to history. After all, those unique things that were found throughout the history of excavations allow us to judge a lot. Despite the fact that the mounds were partially looted several hundred years ago, it is believed that many future museum exhibits still remain on their territory. Many archaeologists from Tyva and other Russian regions are in search of these artifacts.
How to get there
The famous Tuvan landmark - the Valley of the Kings - is located in the Pii-Khem region of the Republic of Tyva, not far from settlement Arzhan.
I won’t hide it: we entered Tuva with some apprehension, as we did in Ingushetia and Chechnya in our time. But both in the Caucasus and here, nothing overshadowed our road trip. But still, reputation does not arise out of nowhere. The unfavorable background, or as they would say now, the background is laid down historically.
Tuva, as you know, became part of the USSR in 1944. And not even as a republic, but as Autonomous region. In the dawn of the Great Patriotic War, this was hardly the most noticeable event, but by this time the Tuvans had proven that they were the most loyal allies: they were the first to support the USSR from the first days of aggression, declaring war on Germany. Further - more: they transferred all their gold reserves to the Union, began to form volunteer units that fought on the Soviet fronts, and also sent almost all internal resources to help us. And it was worth a lot.
But there were other periods. Mainly when Russia demonstrated its weakness. Anti-Russian sentiments occurred in Civil War, when Tuva came under the rule of the Kolchakites, as well as in the 90s (the period of the collapse of the USSR). Many Russian-speaking people then left the republic, but there were also those who remained. In particular, my classmate, who, after graduating from Irkutsk State University, received an assignment (there was such a concept before) to Kyzyl and successfully adapted there.
Before my trip to Tuva, I called him. Unfortunately, he was on vacation at the time. Krasnodar region, but the advice helped a lot.
Firstly, he said that there is no need to fear anything if you behave appropriately to the situation.
Secondly, do not pretend to be a Muskvich: do not get into any disputes; do not show fakie to anyone; do not promise sexual adventures to anyone; and we don’t teach anyone how to live...
Thirdly, it is best to stay in the capital in a hotel opposite the local FSB headquarters.
But before getting to the capital of Tuva, we traveled a little around the territory of the republic. Until this moment, I was sure that there was nothing more beautiful in Siberia than Buryatia. Is not a fact!
The road was absolutely wonderful, the views were amazing. The roadside trade was also pleasing. There were a lot of strawberries and inexpensive. This year it seems to be especially ugly. But for my taste, the Baikal one is still tastier.
After the Krasnoyarsk Territory, it became clear that he had entered a territory where the Tengri spirits are revered, where Buddhists and shamanists are in favor. But we’re no strangers to leaving a coin or a piece of candy on the passes...
Before reaching the capital, we turned onto a country road indicating the way to the Valley of the Kings of Tuva. Of course, in those ancient times, neither the kings nor the current Tuva were here. But there was a valley, and in it there was a life that was not yet fully understood, but filled with events. Here, as in Khakassia, the high culture, which is called Scythian, left behind hundreds of mounds, under which the local rulers rested. And some of them contain examples of incredible jewelry art.
We found ourselves at the most famous of the uncovered mounds, which has preserved all its riches to this day - this is Arzhan-2.
Here in 2001, a Russian-German expedition discovered the undisturbed burial of a local leader and his wife, whose remains were covered with a layer of gold. And not just any kind, but amazing jewelry. We will see them a little later in a special storage room of the museum, more like a safe or a crypt from which they were taken.
(modern), called “sacred”. Mention of it occurs in the Koran in the context of the story of the prophet (Moses).
Background
On the way to Egypt, one cold night, Prophet Musa and his family got lost. Musa tried to light a fire with his flint, but nothing worked. At that moment, when the darkness thickened and the cold intensified, he, thinking that there was a fire burning on the right slope of the mountain, headed in this direction. Musa set off with the intention of bringing a brand of fire and finding people who would tell him the right path. He approached the fire, which he saw from afar, and it turned out that in reality it was not fire, but light.
Prophet Musa in the Tuva Valley
In the Tuva valley, the Lord called Musa in a quiet voice. He told Musa that he was the Lord and ordered him to take off his sandals as a sign of respect for this blessed place.
According to some sources, Musa was ordered to take off his shoes because in order to receive the blessings of Allah, a believer, as a sign of the lowest submission, must touch the sacred ground only with bare feet. Other sources cite as an argument the following statement of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which they characterize as trustworthy: “ His shoes were made of donkey skin (that is, they were not clean)» .
In the Tuva Valley, Musa learned that the Lord had chosen him as a messenger who should follow what was suggested to him: Verily, I am your Lord. Take off your shoes. Are you in sacred valley Tuva. I have chosen you, and therefore listen to what is revealed to you.. Here the prophet Musa received a command from the Lord to meet with the stubborn and despotic ruler, before whom none of the inhabitants of Egypt dared to argue: So the Lord called to him in the sacred valley of Tuva (Tova): “Go to Pharaoh, for he has transgressed the boundaries of what is permitted. [
On the highest steppe basin of Tuva, the Turano-Uyuk, surrounded by the peaks of the Uyuk and Kortushibinsky ranges, in the area of the villages of Arzhan and Tarlyk, one of the most beautiful natural and historical monuments of Southern Siberia is located. Locals They call it the “Valley of the Kings”. A large number of large chains of mounds are concentrated here, which are the graves of clan and tribal leaders of Scythian times. The chains probably reflect the blood relationship of the people buried in them.
The most famous mounds of the “Valley” are “Arzhan-1” and “Arzhan-2”. The first has a diameter of 120 m and consists of pure stone with a spring in the center and huge wooden structures inside. Along with the ancient leader, 16 more people and 160 horses were buried. Despite the fact that the grave was plundered in ancient times, archaeologists were able to discover many valuable finds - these are horse harness items, jewelry made of gold and silver, coins, luxurious woolen fabrics, remains of clothing made from sable skins and the famous bronze plaque in the form of a curled-up ring. panthers. Excavated in 1971-1974. The mound dates back to the 9th-8th centuries BC.
The Arzhan-2 mound, 2,700 years old, was discovered in 2001. This 80 meter wide grave belongs to a noble couple. The remains of people and horses buried with the leader were also discovered on the territory of the tomb. Gold jewelry, copper and amber items, iron weapons, military armor, dishes, etc. were found near the remains. The total weight of gold recovered from the tomb was about 20 kilograms.
Obelisk Center of Asia
The obelisk "Center of Asia" is the most important landmark of the city of Kyzyl and a symbol of the Republic of Tyva, symbolizing the geographical center of the Asian part of the continent. The obelisk is located on the bank of the Yenisei River (Ulug-Khem River), where Komsomolskaya Street approaches the embankment.
In its current form, the obelisk is a two-meter marble base on which there is a large ball with the contours of the continents applied. A ten-meter triangular spire rises into the sky from the globe. On the pedestal, in three languages (Russian, Tuvan and English), the words “Center of Asia” are written in gold.
The monument was built in 1964 to mark the 20th anniversary of the voluntary entry of the Tuvan People's Republic into the USSR. The authors of the project are artist V.F. Demin and architects V.I. Bazhin and V.P. Vetchinov.
Ush-Beldir
Ush-Beldir is considered one of the most beautiful corners of Tuva. Translated from Tuvan, the name means “merger of three.” Here the three largest rivers of Tuva - Shishigt-Gol, Busin-Gol and Belin - merge, forming the lush Kyzyl-Khem. Thermal springs located in this place are famous for their healing properties
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