Altars

An altar is a structure that was presumably used for ritual offerings, burned or otherwise. Thus it is possible that such structures as
khirigsuur and mounds served on occasion as altars. Small circles and Turkic enclosures were certainly used for ritual offerings. Other structures that were probably used for offerings include a type associated with dwellings and another associated with Early Nomadic burials. An ovoo (oboo) is an altar found ubiquitously on ridges, passes, and at difficult crossings. While visible in its modern form, it may well mark a site that was honored, also, in the ancient past.

Burial Mounds | Dwellings | Ovoo

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Altars on the west side of burial mounds. Early Nomadic period. Chigirtein Gol. View south to Dzhalangash Uul.

A kind of altar often appears on the west side of a row of Early Nomadic burial mounds (Burial mound: Early Nomadic period). These altars have a distinctive appearance, typically combining vertically jutting black stones and boulders of a contrasting grey or white.

Altars on the west side of burial mounds. Early Nomadic period. Chigirtein Gol. View south to Dzhalangash Uul.A kind of altar often appears on the west side of a row of Early Nomadic burial mounds (Burial mound: Early Nomadic period. These altars have a distinctive appearance, typically combining vertically jutting black stones and boulders of a contrasting grey or white.

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Altar on the west side of burial mounds. Early Nomadic period. Tsagaan Asgat. View northwest.

A kind of altar often appears on the west side of a row of Early Nomadic burial mounds (Burial mound: Early Nomadic period). These altars have a distinctive appearance, typically combining vertically jutting black stones and boulders of a contrasting grey or white.

Altar on the west side of burial mounds. Early Nomadic period. Tsagaan Asgat. View northwest.A kind of altar often appears on the west side of a row of Early Nomadic burial mounds (Burial mound: Early Nomadic period. These altars have a distinctive appearance, typically combining vertically jutting black stones and boulders of a contrasting grey or white.

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Altar on the west side of burial mounds. Early Nomadic period. Khara Zharyk, Dayan Nuur Basin. View southeast.

A kind of altar often appears on the west side of a row of Early Nomadic burial mounds (Burial mound: Early Nomadic period). These altars have a distinctive appearance, typically combining vertically jutting black stones and boulders of a contrasting grey or white.

Altar on the west side of burial mounds. Early Nomadic period. Khara Zharyk, Dayan Nuur Basin. View southeast.A kind of altar often appears on the west side of a row of Early Nomadic burial mounds (Burial mound: Early Nomadic period. These altars have a distinctive appearance, typically combining vertically jutting black stones and boulders of a contrasting grey or white.

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Altars associated with dwellings. Bronze Age. Khara Zharyk, Dayan Nuur Basin. View east.

Altars usually occur on the west side of a group of dwellings. They are typically rectangular in form with dark slabs for the frame and boulders in the interior. They may be distinguished from Turkic enclosures by their pronounced rectangularity, as well as by their location with reference to other surface archaeology.

Altars associated with dwellings. Bronze Age. Khara Zharyk, Dayan Nuur Basin. View east.Altars usually occur on the west side of a group of dwellings. They are typically rectangular in form with dark slabs for the frame and boulders in the interior. They may be distinguished from Turkic <enclosures by their pronounced rectangularity, as well as by their location with reference to other surface archaeology.

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Ovoo built over old mound. Left bank Khovd Gol below confluence with Turegtiin Gol. View east to Khovd Gol.

An ovoo is a pile of rocks, frequently of considerable size, that has been raised over a period of many years or generations in honor of the indwelling spirit of the mountain, river, or spring where it appears. Ovoo are typically found at passes, along hazardous trails, at the edge of high ridges, or by springs. In the present, travelers characteristically indicate their gratitude for a safe journey by adding a stone to the pile; in many cases they will add streamers, branches, or other objects. While ovoo are modern, it is most probable that they continue a tradition that goes back to an ancient period. In a few cases, it is possible to see through the modern construction the remains of a large standing stone or of a circular altar.

Ovoo built over old mound. Left bank Khovd Gol below confluence with Turegtiin Gol. View east to Khovd Gol.An ovoo is a pile of rocks, frequently of considerable size, that has been raised over a period of many years or generations in honor of the indwelling spirit of the mountain, river, or spring where it appears. Ovoo are typically found at passes, along hazardous trails, at the edge of high ridges, or by springs. In the present, travelers characteristically indicate their gratitude for a safe journey by adding a stone to the pile; in many cases they will add streamers, branches, or other objects. While ovoo are modern, it is most probable that they continue a tradition that goes back to an ancient period. In a few cases, it is possible to see through the modern construction the remains of a large standing stone or of a circular altar.

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Ovoo surmounted by willow branch. High ridge on Shiveet Khairkhan Uul. View east down Tsagaan Gol.

An ovoo is a pile of rocks, frequently of considerable size, that has been raised over a period of many years or generations in honor of the indwelling spirit of the mountain, river, or spring where it appears. Ovoo are typically found at passes, along hazardous trails, at the edge of high ridges, or by springs. In the present, travelers characteristically indicate their gratitude for a safe journey by adding a stone to the pile; in many cases they will add streamers, branches, or other objects. While ovoo are modern, it is most probable that they continue a tradition that goes back to an ancient period. In a few cases, it is possible to see through the modern construction the remains of a large standing stone or of a circular altar.

Ovoo surmounted by willow branch. High ridge on Shiveet Khairkhan Uul. View east down Tsagaan Gol.An ovoo is a pile of rocks, frequently of considerable size, that has been raised over a period of many years or generations in honor of the indwelling spirit of the mountain, river, or spring where it appears. Ovoo are typically found at passes, along hazardous trails, at the edge of high ridges, or by springs. In the present, travelers characteristically indicate their gratitude for a safe journey by adding a stone to the pile; in many cases they will add streamers, branches, or other objects. While ovoo are modern, it is most probable that they continue a tradition that goes back to an ancient period. In a few cases, it is possible to see through the modern construction the remains of a large standing stone or of a circular altar.

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Ovoo built on boulder. High slope, left bank Tsagaan Salaa. View west upriver to Tavan Bogd.

An ovoo is a pile of rocks, frequently of considerable size, that has been raised over a period of many years or generations in honor of the indwelling spirit of the mountain, river, or spring where it appears. Ovoo are typically found at passes, along hazardous trails, at the edge of high ridges, or by springs. In the present, travelers characteristically indicate their gratitude for a safe journey by adding a stone to the pile; in many cases they will add streamers, branches, or other objects. While ovoo are modern, it is most probable that they continue a tradition that goes back to an ancient period. In a few cases, it is possible to see through the modern construction the remains of a large standing stone or of a circular altar.

Ovoo built on boulder. High slope, left bank Tsagaan Salaa. View west upriver to Tavan Bogd.An ovoo is a pile of rocks, frequently of considerable size, that has been raised over a period of many years or generations in honor of the indwelling spirit of the mountain, river, or spring where it appears. Ovoo are typically found at passes, along hazardous trails, at the edge of high ridges, or by springs. In the present, travelers characteristically indicate their gratitude for a safe journey by adding a stone to the pile; in many cases they will add streamers, branches, or other objects. While ovoo are modern, it is most probable that they continue a tradition that goes back to an ancient period. In a few cases, it is possible to see through the modern construction the remains of a large standing stone or of a circular altar.

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