The objects shown here were excavated at the Xiongnu burial site of Noin Ula in northern Mongolia in 1924-1925. Since the graves had flooded, organic material in them had been well preserved. The current view is that the graves date from the first century BCE to first century CE. While most of the objects from Noin Ula are today in the collections of the Hermitage Museum, some were transferred to the Mongolian National Museum in Ulaan Baatar. Our display of materials from the latter includes other Xiongnu material.

References:

• Rudenko 1962: S. I. Rudenko. Kul'tura khunnov i noinulinskie kurgany. Moscow-Leningrad: Izd-vo Akademii nauk SSSR, 1962. Still basic study of the Xiongnu culture from the evidence in the Noin Ula barrows, an inventory of whose contents is appended with 73 plates and numerous additional drawings. Translated into German as: Die Kultur der Hsiung-nu und die Hügelgräber von Noin Ula (Bonn: Habelt, 1969).
• Camilla Trever, Excavations in Northern Mongolia (1924-1925). [PDF, 2.5m] Leningrad: J. Fedorov Printing House, 1932. Includes extensive description of grave contents at Noin Ula, a decent summary of what had then been learned from the excavations, and a generous selection of somewhat mediocre black-and-white photographs plus a few color plates. Her descriptions of objects are very thorough and have been condensed for captioning here.
• Scythian 1969. Scythian, Persian and Central Asian Art from the Hermitage Collection, Leningrad. Exhibited in Japan under the auspices of The Tokyo National Museum, The Kyoto National Museum, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun. Nihon Keizai Shimbun, 1969. In Japanese with caption list in English.

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	Model reconstructing Noin Ula burial chamber (barrow no. 1?).
	Tresses of rough black hair, tied with woolen cord; one in red silk case. Barrow no. 6, in N. corridor and inner burial chamber. L. 60, 70 cm. Inv. no. 229. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XIX, LI; Trever pp. 50-51, pl. 33/2-5.
	Clothing including silk gown, trimmed with fur and braid, and silk trousers. Barrow no. 6, in E. part of S. corridor. L. of gown 1.17 m.; width incl. sleeves 1.94 m. Inv. no. 91. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pp. 38-47; pls. XI, XIV; Trever, p. 40, pl. 22/1.
	Cap of silk, embroidered woolen stuff and sable, quilted with felt, with ear pieces of silk Barrow no. 6, in E. corridor. Perim. 70 cm.; dia. 22 cm. Inv. No. 296. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XVII, LXX/1; Trever, p. 41, pl. 23/1.
	Trousers of purple twilled woolen stuff. Barrow no. 6, S. part of E. corridor. L. 1.14 m., Waist 1.16 m. Inv. no. 301. Inv. no. 301. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. X. Trever, pl. 22/2; p. 40. NB: Not same trousers as depicted in my photo.
	Trouser leg of Chinese silk with felt boot. Barrow no. 6, S. part E. corridor. L. from waist to heel, 1.09 m.; W. of leg 50 cm.; L. of sole 28 cm. Inv. no. 302. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XII/1; Trever, p. 39, pl. 20/1.
	Cap lining, silk. Barrow no. 12. Perim. 65 cm., H. 13 cm. Inv. no. 28. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XVIII/1; Trever, pp. 41-42, pl. 23/2.
	Cap, silk with frame of birchbark. Barrow no. 6, S. part of E. corridor. Ext. dia. 53 cm., H. 34 cm. Inv. no. 300. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XVI/4-5; Trever, p. 42, pl. 23/3-4.
	Upper part of boot, embroidered silk. Barrow no. 12. H. 23 cm., L. 42 cm. Inv. no. 25. Pub.: Trever, pp. 39-40, pl. 20/2.
	Red woollen carpet, lined with felt, the middle part quilted with red woollen thread; band with appliques; border of quilted wool with appliques of quilted wool; border of twilled silk. Barrow no. 6, floor of corridor around tomb chamber. 2.60 x 1.95 m. Inv. no. 108. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pls. XXXIX, XLI-XLV; Trever, pp. 33-34, pls. 8-11.
	Ceiling hanging made of various embroidered woolen fabrics (details). Barrow no. 6., on beams of external ceiling. Total size of carpet 4.4 x 3.2 m.; portion with tiger skin design, 152x175 cm.; fragment 4, 29 x 28 cm. Inv. nos. 155, 150. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pp. 85-87, pls. XLIX, XL, LII-LVI; Trever, pp. 31-32, 34-35, pls. 4, 5, 11, 12.
	Frag. of embroidered purple woolen stuff. Barrow no. 6, hanging on inner side external S. wall of burial chamber. 66 x 44 cm. Inv. no. 12. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pls. LXII, LXIII; Trever, p. 32, pl. 6.
	Frag. of embroidered purple woolen stuff. Barrow no. 6, behind capital of external E. piller in N. corridor. 23 x 15 cm. Inv. no. 180. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. LXVI, Trever, pp. 32-33, pl. 7; Scythian 1969, no. 79.
	Frag. of wall hanging/carpet with embroidery of birds and fish, wool. Barrow no. 6. Original full size 125 x 170+ cm. MIK I 76 Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pp. 101-105 (figs. 71-73); pls. LVII, LVIII.
	Embroidered, sole-shaped silk with stylized animals. barrow no. 12. 19.5 x 10 cm. Inv. no. 4. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XIII; Trever, pp. 34-35, pl. 13.
	Several frags. of embroidered and patterened silk. Barrow no. 6 (?).
	Frags. of embroidered silk. barrow no. 6. 39.5 x 35.7 cm.; frag. 18/2, 21 x 15 cm. Inv. no. 75. Scythian 1969, no. 82; Trever, pp. 37-38; pl. 18/2; Hermitage website.
	Frag. of silk stuff Barrow no. 12. 192 x 38 cm Inv. no. 2. Pub.: Trever, p. 35, pl. 15; Scythian 1969, no. 73; Hermitage website.
	Corner piece of embroidered silk with winged dragon. Barrow no. 24. 34.5 x 26.5 cm. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, p. 83, fig. 60, pl. XLVI; Trever, p. 36 (citing barrow no. 12), p. 16; Scythian 1969, no. 74.
	Frag. of twilled silk. Barrow no. 6, cover from W. support of coffin. Inv. no. 321. Pub.: Trever, p. 36, pl. 17/1.
	Frag. of silk with woven pattern including Chinese ideographs. Barrow no. 1, W. corridor. 22.5 x 17 cm. Inv. no. 74. Pub.: Trever, pp. 36-37, pl. 17/2.
	Frag. of two pieces of joined, embroidered silk. Barrow no. 1, W. from coffin, above floor. Inv. no. 6. Pub.: Trever, p. 37, pl. 18/1.
	Frag. of blue-green silk with woven golden pattern of fish. Barrow no. 6, upper side external beams. 21 x 14 cm. Inv. no. 178. Pub.: Trever, p. 38, pl. 19/1.
	Frag. of twilled silk with red woven pattern. Barrow no. 12. 1.53 x 1.49 cm. Inv. no. 1. Pub.: Trever, p. 38, pl. 19/2.
	Frag. of silk. barrow no. 23, E. corridor, lower beam of external corridor. 150 x 18.5 cm. Inv. no. 35. Pub.: Trever, p. 38, pl. 19/3; Scythian 1969, no. 78.
	Frag. of plain transparent stuff (tulle). Barrow no. 6, under or near coffin. 21.5 x 15.5 cm. Inv. no. 332. Pub.: Trever, p. 40, pl. 21/1.
	Frag. of tulle with woven lozenge pattern. Barrow no. 6, under or near coffin. 17 x 11 cm. Inv. no. 332. Pub.: Trever, p. 40, pl. 21/2.
	Frag. of embroidered wool with man's head. Barrow no. 25, found under the coffin (?). 20 x 14 cm. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. LXI; Trever, p. 29; pl. 1; Scythian 1969, no. 76.
	Frag. of embroidered wool with man's head. Barrow no. 25, near coffin. 51 x 24 cm. Inv. no. 10. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. LX; Trever, p. 29, pl. 2.
	Frag. of embroidered purple woolen stuff. Barrow no. 6, attached to inner side external wall of burial chamber. 64 x 27 cm. Inv. no. 8. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. LXV/1; Trever, p. 30, pl. 3/1.
	Frag. of embroidered purple woolen stuff. Barrow no. 6, W. part of S. corridor, 40 x 24 cm. Inv. no. 110. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. LXVII/1; Trever, pp. 30-31, pl. 3/2.
	Burial flag, silk. Barrow no. 6, SE corner inner burial chamber. Perim. of top 48 cm., L. 1.12 m. Inv. no. 134. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. LII/3; Trever, pp. 49-50, pl. 33/1
	Bronze lamp. Barrow no. 25, E. corridor. Dia. 11 cm., H. 7 cm., L. of handle 12 cm. Inv. no. 24. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. VII/1; Trever, pl. 26/1.
	Bronze mirror. Imitation of Chinese design? Noin Ula?
	Frag. of Chinese bronze mirror. Barrow no. 25, NE corner of grave. L. 10.5 cm. W. 8 cm. Inv. no. 19 Pub.: Rudenko 1962, p. 92, fig. 65; Trever, p. 46, pl. 26/3. "Seven stars" or "animal belt" mirror type, popular esp. end 1st c. BCE to mid-1st c. CE; here simplification of design probably means no earler than 1st c. CE.
	Lacquer eared cups, at least one with bronze handles. Cup 29/1 found barrow no. 23, inner burial chamber, N. of coffin; L. 11 cm.; W. with handles 11.5 cm., H. 4 cm.; inv. no. 33. Cup 29/2, 30/1 (with inscription) found barrow no. 6, S. part of E. corridor; H. 5 cm.; L. 17.5 cm.; inv. no. 266. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XLVIII/1; Trever, pp. 14-15, 47-48; pls. 29, 30; Inv. no. 266 has dated inscription of 2 BCE. and is apparently now in the collection of the Mongolian National Museum in Ulaan Baatar. Cf. Dschingis Khan und seine Erben, cat. nos. 16, 17, pp. 50-51.
	Frags. of a wooden box, red lacquer on outside, black on inside; inlaid gold foil. Barrow no. 12, burial chamber. H. 13.5 cm., Dia. 21.8 cm., H. of frieze 3.7 cm. Inv. nos. 311-345. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XLVIII; Trever, pp. 48-49, pl. 31.
	Wooden bowl, lacquered and painted, shaped like animal, with stopper-head. Barrow no. 6, W. part of E. corridor. L. 24 cm.; H. 16 cm. Inv. no. 100. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. VI/1; Trever, p. 48, pl. 30/2.
	Furniture legs, wood, lacquered, with red paint. Barrow no. 6, behind capital of external central pillar of N. corridor. H. 22 cm. (w/o tenon); tenon 1.5 cm. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. VI/2-4; Trever p. 46, pl. 27.
	Vessel, cast bronze. Barrow no. 25, NE corner of grave. H. of body 11 cm., Dia. of foot 8 cm., H. of neck 9 cm. Inv. no. 18. Pub.: Trever, pp. 45-46, pl. 26/2.
	Pole ornament, cast bronze. Barrow no. 25, E. corridor. H. 6.5 cm., Dia. of rosette 11 cm. Inv. no. 22. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXIII/1-2; Trever, p. 46, pl. 28/1.
	Pole ornament, cast bronze. Barrow no. 1, W. corridor. H. 10 cm., Dia of rosette 6.8 cm. Inv. no. 65. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXIII/4; Trever, p. 47, pl. 28/1.
	Pole ornament, cast bronze. Barrow no. 1, W. part inner burial chamber. H. 11 cm. Inv. no. 20. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXII/2; Trever, p. 47, pl. 28/3.
	Frag. of deer, wood, eyes appar. of bone. barrow no. 6, SE corner inner burial chamber. H. 11 cm., W. 4.5 cm. Inv. no. 126. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXIV/4; Trever, p. 49, pl. 32/1.
	Plaque, wood. Barrow no. 6, near coffin. 9.5 x 7.5 cm. Inv. no. 343. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXIV/3; Trever, p. 49, pl. 32/2.
	Scoop, wood. Barrow no. 23, S corner of E corridor. L. 84 cm. Inv. no. 36. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. VII/4; Trever, p. 49, pl. 32/3.
	Ornamental plaque, stamped gold foil. Barrow no. 23, inner burial chamber near coffin. 8.7 x 5.8 cm. Inv. no. 23. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXV/4; Trever, p. 42, pl. 24/1.
	Plaque, embossed gold with animal design. Barrow no. 23, inner burial chamber near coffin. 8.2 x 3.8 cm. Inv. no. 23. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXV/10; Trever, p. 42, pl. 24/2.
	Ornamental plaque, gold with incrusted stones; decorated with granules. Barrow no. 23, in coffin. Dia. 1.1 cm., H. 1.1 cm. Inv. no. 7. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXV/1; Trever, pp. 42-43, pl. 24/3.
	Cylinder, granule design, gold, glass or stone decoration. Barrow no. 23, in coffin. H. 1.9 cm., Dia. 1.4 cm. Inv. no. 9. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXV/2; Trever, p. 43, pl. 24/4.
	Embossed ornament, bull's head; gold with granulation and decorative stones. Barrow no. 23, in coffin. H. 3 cm., W. 1.7 cm. Inv. no. 8. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXV/3; Trever, p. 43, pl. 24/5.
	Ornamental plaque, gold with incrusted stones. Barrow no. 23, in coffin. 3.8 x 1 cm. Inv. no. 10. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXV/6; Trever, p. 43, pl. 24/6.
	Ornamental plaque with winged horse design, gold. Barrow unknown. 4.2 x 2.2 cm. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXV/9; Trever, p. 44, pl. 24/7.
	Round plaque, gold, settings for missing inlaid stones. Barrow unknown. Dia. 3.8 cm. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXV/5; Trever, p. 44, pl. 24/8.
	Plaque with deer, silver. Barrow no. 6, under coffin. 6.5 x 3.7 cm. Inv. no. 255. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXVII/1; Trever, p. 44, pl. 24/9.
	Plaque with yak, silver. Barrow no. 6, S. part of E. corridor. 17 x 9 cm. Inv. no. 254. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXVII/3; Trever, pp. 44-45, pl. 25/1.
	Plaque with yak and fir trees, silver. Barrow no. 6, S. part of E. corridor. Dia. 14 cm. Inv. no. 253. Pub.: Rudenko 1962, pl. XXXVI/3; Trever, p. 45, pl. 25/2; Scythian 1969, no. 80.