Beginning of nomadic pastoralism in Mongolia

Abstract

This paper focuses on the Mongolian plateau north of the Gobi Desert and discusses the process from the arrival of livestock to the beginning of nomadic pastoralism and the formation of horse-riding nomads based on archaeological data. Around 3000 BCE, the Afanasyevo culture of Central Asia arrived in the region from the Altai Mountains to the Khangai Mountains and introduced herding of sheep, goats and cattle. This group interbred with the local hunter-gatherers, and around 2500 BCE began a nomadic lifestyle with livestock. This is the first appearance of nomadism in the Mongolian plateau. Around 2000 BCE, nomadic pastoralism spread to the northwestern Mongolian plateau, which had turned into a steppe. Domesticated horses arrived around 1250 BCE. Horses were used to tow carts or chariots, but around 1000-900 BCE horse riding began to be seen, and horse-riding nomads were established.