The Sacrificial Deer Stone Monuments

The Deer Stone is the Eurasian steppe's most notable Late Bronze Age stone structure.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth


The Deer Stone Monuments were built for sacrificial purposes. It is adorned with various sets of embellishments and depictions of warrior heroes.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

During the 45th extended session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites in Mongolia were added to the World Heritage List.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

The deer stone complexes, significant archaeological sites, can be found at three distinct locations: Uushigiin Ovor, Jargalatyn Am, and Tsatsyn Denj.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

Over 1,650 deer stone monuments have been documented across Eurasia, with Mongolia holding 80%. These monuments are scattered throughout Mongolian provinces like Altai, Khangai Mountains, Arkhangai, Khuvsgul, Khovd, Bayan-Ulgii, and Bayankhongor.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

Deer stones are categorized into three groups based on their shape, representation of reality, and geographical spread. The Mongol-Transbaikalian type is known for its intricately carved depictions of deer.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

The Sayan-Altai type is known for its animal imagery, while the Eurasian type does not feature any animal depictions.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

The deer stone monuments found in Mongolia clearly represent humans. They prominently display a man's face along with various accessories and animals like deer, horses, hogs, and birds.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

Deer stone statues are made from granite, sandstone, and marble. They have an average height of more than 1-4 m, a thickness of 20-40 cm, a width of 30-1000 cm, and a weight of roughly 0.5-4 tons.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

It is constructed by painting, carving, and combining sculpture techniques.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

Bronze age complex site with deer stones at Uushigiin uvur

The Uushigiin Uvur site, located on the slope of Uushig Mountain, is an ancient complex in Burentogtokh soum, Khuvsgul province, situated 18 kilometres west of Murun town. This historical site features deer stones from the Bronze Age.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

The area is dotted with many burial mounds and deer stones, with a specific arrangement of about 30 deer stones aligned in a row.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

The 14th deer stone is exquisitely carved, featuring a human face with distinct Mongoloid characteristics such as small eyes, square cheeks, and a broad forehead.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

A necklace hangs from the person's face, and 14 large and small deer are depicted looking up to the sky. There are also carved belts with ornaments that come with hoes, and sledgehammers.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

Bronze age complex site with deer stones at Jargalantyn am

The monument is located near the Khanui River in the Undur-Ulaan soum of Arkhangai province, and it consists of 30 deer stone statues, various graves and slab burials.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

It's not just huge and uniquely designed; it's also a timeless classic. An instance of this type of monument was discovered in Mongolia.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sites, From the collection of: Ministry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth
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Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sites, From the collection of: Ministry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth
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The deer stone statues at the mouth of Ikh Jargalant are particularly artistic and elaborate. They portray wild creatures such as deer, sable, and tiger and various forms of weaponry such as belts, knives, bows, and arrows. Furthermore, massive statues stand between 1 and 4 meters tall and weigh between 0.5 and 4 tons.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

Bronze age complex site with deer stones at Tsatsiin denj

The Tsatsiin Denj site is a Bronze Age complex that features deer stones. Around 100 deer stone statues have been found in the Ikh Tamir and Batsengel soums in Arkhangai Province and the Tamir River Valley.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

Tsatsiin Denj's monument with deer statues is the most visible example of Khoid Tamir River deer statues. The monument is located 40 kilometers west of Batsengel Soum's center.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

The Khoid Tamir River deer stone monument spans 45,000 hectares. The deer stone statue is notable for its ocher paint, which uniquely represents the overall body of five prick-eared horses.

Deer stone monuments and related bronze age sitesMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

The deer stone statue is a significant cultural heritage representing the ancient nomad's lifestyle, worldview, and worship practices in history, science, and art.

Dund Jargalant monument complexMinistry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

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