Mongolian exhibition at the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology in Monaco

The nomads of Upper Asia are an extraordinary people, who still inhabit a geographical area that includes parts of Mongolia, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and China.

**Bronze horse [Credit: CityOut Monaco]**

Many thousands of years before long-haul flights, their ancestors were doing exactly what they do now: moving in vast numbers across the high Asian steppe, seeking out pastureland for their herds of horses, yaks, sheep, goats and camels.

Wherever they settled, they would erect portable portable wood-framed dwellings called yurts, and mysterious 'deer stones' - megaliths carved with images of flying deer - whose exact purpose has never been established.

For the last six years, a Monegasque archeological team have been investigating the extraordinary history of the people of the Mongolian and Siberian steppe.

The fascinating results of their research are now on public display, and we are being invited to take part in a nomadic journey of our own, to Monaco's Exotic Garden, to witness the culture of these ancient peoples.

Since 2006, the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology of Monaco in conjunction with the Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia has been excavating the ancient site of Tsatsyn Ereg. Six sites (five funerary complexes and a monastery) are currently being restored and will ultimately form part of a cultural heritage trail.

Meanwhile, the touring exhibition will take up residence at the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology of Monaco from 21 May, to run for four months. The exhibition will allow the public to share the investigations by examining facsimiles of the traditional deer stones, along with rock carvings, weapons and ornaments.

The inauguration takes place as part of the UN's World Heritage programme and is funded by the the Government of the Principality through its Department of International Cooperation.

Source: CityOut Monaco [May 25, 2012]