June 19, 2018

Mongolia and its vast steppes and deserts are brimming with curiosities that have fueled countless myths and legends over the years. At the edge of the Khövsgöl province, stands a legendary site where one discovers strange stelae covered with carvings of deer and other symbols. But what do these monoliths truly represent?

These stelae of the earliest nomadic tribes are believed to date back to the Bronze Age. By examining them more closely, we can understand certain animistic practices that continue to persist in the steppes among nomadic peoples today. Let's delve deeper!

Why "Deer Stones"?

The deer stones were named as such because of the motifs carved into them. On the large face oriented toward the east, there are indeed depictions of cervids with long antlers, evoking the image of deer. These creatures appear to fly toward the sky through their posture (head held high and body simulating an upward movement toward the top of the dolmen).

Probable significance of the deer drawings carved on the mysterious Mongolian dolmens

According to numerous scientific and archaeological research, the cervid drawings engraved on the mysterious Mongolian stelae would recall the passage from life to death. Indeed, in nomadic belief and shamanism, deer are said to transport the dead to the afterlife (hence the posture of the creatures simulating a flight toward the sky) and protect them against potential dangers they might face on the long journey to the other world. This assumption appears to be verified by the discovery of tombs very close to the dolmens.

Deer Stones: Stelae Reserved for Warriors?

Beyond the cervids flying toward the sky, other typical designs have also been carved on the lower part of the deer stones. These are striking representations of tools and weapons of all kinds (axes, knives, shields, etc.). According to archaeological excavations, these date to approximately 1200 years B.C. Indeed, their typical forms make them resemble very clearly the means of defense used between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. These engravings can then suggest that the individuals buried beneath the stelae were warriors, and the deer stones were erected with the purpose of honoring them. On the other hand, the weapon drawings on the menhirs may have been inscribed so that the warrior could face dangers during their journey to the afterlife.

Another striking fact further supports the notion that deer stones were reserved for warriors. At most sites where the dolmens have been discovered, archaeologists have found the remains of horses (and cattle) surrounding the deceased. A situation that suggests these animals were sacrificed and buried with the dead so they could traverse the road to the other world easily and safely. Once again, this remains a theory, but it could come close to the "true" purpose of the deer stones.

Deer Stones: Magnificent Vestiges of the Past Adorning the Mongolian Steppes, and Beyond

As mentioned previously, the deer stones were left by nomadic civilizations that lived between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. The majority of these stelae (nearly 90%) have been found in Mongolia. About twenty of them are counted at the Uushigiin Övör site near Moron and a hundred at Tsatsyn Ereg near Karakorum. However, it should be noted that deer stones have also been discovered in other regions of the world, such as Siberia. They all testify to the existence of nomadic peoples for centuries before our era and show us how much they evolved, both over time and across space. Today, the deer stones have become nomadic historical monuments that adorn the Mongolian steppes. They mark the passage of these peoples through the various zones of these vast wild expanses. The presence of these dolmens rising toward the sky reveals to us another aspect of the Mongolian steppes: an immense green and wild space that will never cease to preserve countless mysteries.

You can discover these mysterious stelae with our tour The Grand Loop of Mongolia! Don't wait any longer and book now!

Charlène Nomadays

SEO writer from the very beginning at Nomadays, now content manager and head of the communications division, Charlène has accompanied the adventure since its inception with passion and dedication. After living seven years in Asia—from China to Thailand, through Mongolia and South Korea—she has made travel a way of being in the world. A lover of words, nature, and human connection, she strives to convey in her writing a sensitive, engaged, and responsible vision of tourism. For her, each article is a bridge between curiosity, respect, and wonder.