«Deer stones» reflecting cult of ancestry and rulers: the results of investigation of archaeological associationsin the Buyant river valley (the Mongol Altai)

The article presents the results of complex inventory of «deer stones»in the Buyant River valley in the Mongol Altai. The «statues», taking into account theirlocation and specifics of appearance, were monuments mounted over the tombs of realpeople with different status in the early nomadic society. The statues indicate spread of cultof ancestry and rulers among the early nomads. The tradition emerged in Central Asiain the Arzhan-Maiemir period, and then was widely spread by migrations. Researchesrelated to the «deer stones» in Mongolia have rather long history, but the accumulationof data continues, as each year new stele with engraved images are discovered.Unfortunately, their majority are replaced. Thorough and detailed copying of the statuesprovides a significant informational source for objective reconstructions.