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Ethnoarchaeology of the Dukha and their Interactions with Animals in Northern Mongolia

Ethnoarchaeology of the Dukha and their Interactions with Animals in Northern Mongolia. Towards an Archaeology of Reindeer Pastoralism: . Why is there so little data? * Zooarchaeological data discarded, even today * Artifacts were likely made of ephemeral animal products

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Ethnoarchaeology of the Dukha and their Interactions with Animals in Northern Mongolia

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  1. Ethnoarchaeology of the Dukha and their Interactions with Animals in Northern Mongolia Towards an Archaeology of Reindeer Pastoralism:

  2. Why is there so little data? * Zooarchaeological data discarded, even today * Artifacts were likely made of ephemeral animal products * Nomads keep few possessions * Other topics (e.g. monumental tombs) more popular

  3. * Archaeologists & cultural anthropologists interested in - the origins of reindeer pastoralism - the prehistory and ethnography of Mongolia/South Siberia - nomadism - human-animal relationships - the dynamics of culture and ecology - traditional subarctic survival technologies/ strategies * Reindeer herders in general, especially through - The Association of World Reindeer Herders Council - Bioregions Intl. nomadic sustainability group * Policy-makers governing industrial projects in the taiga-steppe zone Rationale #1: Who Should Care?

  4. * Make it easier for archaeologists to: -locate, identify, and understand reindeer archaeology and nomadic sites in general * Document lifeways of this endangered culture * Provide reindeer pastoralists information, especially in regards to sustainable practices and the importance of cultural resources * Heighten sensitivity to cultural/environmental impact in the area Rationale #2: What is the Point?

  5. * One of the least-studied of Siberian reindeer groups * There are only about 100 of them left, and their way of life is quickly disappearing because of - Climate change - Urbanization - The tourism industry - Mining * It is near where reindeer pastoralism likely originated in Asia Rationale #3: Why the Dukha?

  6. Use for riding, milking, and/or as a draft animal... Historical evidence from: 499 CE Liang Dynasty China [Mongolia] Late 1200s, Marco Polo [Mongolia] 1302 Persian Historian Rashideddi [Lake Baikal]

  7. Reindeer use petroglyph reproductions; some others date to 1000 BCE

  8. Reproduction of petroglyph depicting reindeer and other animals being carralled; Alta, Norway

  9. Antler under the microscope: Normal antler at top, castrate antler at bottom left

  10. The Tornio Antler (dated to 34 kya); Norway

  11. 51°21′16″N 99°21′12″E Цагааннуур

  12. 1. Identify traditional* Dukha artifacts and describe their - use - abundance - disposal - manufacture - lifespan - form 2. Investigate differences between castrate/non-castrate antler 3. Observe/explain relationships between reindeer and Dukha of different - Age - Gender - Social position 4. List fauna with which the Tsaatan interact and describe these interactions, especially those involving - Burial - Identity - Ritual or a notable lack thereof - Cultural adaptations 5. Map group/artifact movement across the landscape over time 6a. Determine how Dukha culture is responsive to ecological necessity 6b. Determine ecological consequences of Dukha culture Objectives

  13. * Participant observation * Unstructured and semi-structured interviews * Life histories (human, reindeer, and artifact) * Collecting quantitative and locative (GIS) data of discarded: - bone - antler - other durable objects of pre-industrial conception * GIS for movement across landscape, interviews for historical movement changes * Collection of antler samples (modern and archaeological) for microscopic imaging * Documenting reindeer artifacts in the Mongolian National History Museum collections (Ulaanbaatar) * Photographic and written documentation of the above Methods

  14. * The sample will include Dukha of different - age - gender - social position - all fauna that the Dukha interact with, especially reindeer - all material culture, especially pre-industrial technologies (including those of modern manufacture) * Due to their extreme mobility and remoteness,I expect to travel with one to two groups maximum * Each group typically consists of less than 20 people Sample

  15. Questions/Comments? Ethnographic photos by Hamid Sadar, hamidsardar.com Topo map from weather-forecast.com, Khövsgöl map from steppescape.wordpress.com For archaeological and microscopic image credits email me at: taylor2@email.arizona.edu

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