Khigirsuur

A khirigsuur is a structure including a central mound and a round or square surrounding frame. When the mound extends to the surrounding wall in a kind of pavement, the khirigsuur is described as a platform khirigsuur. Usually, however, the area between mound and frame is left open and within it may be rays (radiae) aligned with the cardinal directions or their subdivisions. A boulder khirigsuur is one in which the central mound is replaced by a large boulder, Small circular altars (small circles) are usually found outside the frame on the north, west, and south sides, rarely on the east side. Some khirigsuur have entrances on the east side; many are accompanied by mounds of unknown function. In other parts of Mongolia, khirigsuur appear to have sometimes functioned as burials. Within the Altai–Sayan region, their function is uncertain––either funerary or memorial or related to other ceremonies. Khirigsuur are dated to the Bronze Age (second––early first millennium BCE).

Round | Square | Platform | Boulder

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Round khirigsuur. D. 40 m (approximate). Bronze Age. Confluence of Khar Yamaa and Sailagiin Gol. View west to Khar Yamaa.

Round khirigsuur range in size from approximately 10 m to over 40 m in diameter. They are usually located on broad plains, along rivers, or at the confluence of rivers. They may appear alone or with other structures from the Bronze Age and later.

Round khirigsuur. D. 40 m (approximate). Bronze Age. Confluence of Khar Yamaa and Sailagiin Gol. View west to Khar Yamaa. Round khirigsuur range in size from approximately 10 m to over 40 m in diameter. They are usually located on broad plains, along rivers, or at the confluence of rivers. They may appear alone or with other structures from the Bronze Age and later.

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Round khirigsuur with flattened mound made of purple and dark stones. Ht. 1.80 m. Bronze Age. Left bank Khovd Gol above Sagsay. View west to river.

Round khirigsuur range in size from approximately 10 m to over 40 m in diameter. They are usually located on broad plains, along rivers, or at the confluence of rivers. They may appear alone or with other structures from the Bronze Age and later.

Round khirigsuur with flattened mound made of purple and dark stones. Ht. 1.80 m. Bronze Age. Left bank Khovd Gol above Sagsay. View west to river. Round khirigsuur range in size from approximately 10 m to over 40 m in diameter. They are usually located on broad plains, along rivers, or at the confluence of rivers. They may appear alone or with other structures from the Bronze Age and later.

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Round khirigsuur, low mound marked by massive slabs; small standing stone at frame E 120'. D. 26 m. Bronze Age. Khara Zharyk, Dayan Nuur basin. View south.

Round khirigsuur range in size from approximately 10 m to over 40 m in diameter. They are usually located on broad plains, along rivers, or at the confluence of rivers. They may appear alone or with other structures from the Bronze Age and later.

Round khirigsuur, low mound marked by massive slabs; small standing stone at frame E 120'. D. 26 m. Bronze Age. Khara Zharyk, Dayan Nuur basin. View south. Round khirigsuur range in size from approximately 10 m to over 40 m in diameter. They are usually located on broad plains, along rivers, or at the confluence of rivers. They may appear alone or with other structures from the Bronze Age and later.

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Square khirigsuur on terrace over river. Side 14 m. Bronze Age. Left bank Khöltsöötiin Gol. View west upriver.

Square khirigsuur are found in the same locations as round khirigsuur. They range in size from 12 m to over 55 m to a side. They are usually associated with other structures, such as small circular altars and mounds. Like round khirigsuur, they may have rays extending from the central mound to the outer wall. It is common to find the corners marked by piles of boulders or by single large boulders.

Square khirigsuur on terrace over river. Side 14 m. Bronze Age. Left bank Khöltsöötiin Gol. View west upriver. Square khirigsuur are found in the same locations as round khirigsuur. They range in size from 12 m to over 55 m to a side. They are usually associated with other structures, such as small circular altars and mounds. Like round khirigsuur, they may have rays extending from the central mound to the outer wall. It is common to find the corners marked by piles of boulders or by single large boulders.

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Square khirigsuur with mound of dark stones, frame of light stones, four rays, satellite altars on east, and large circular altars. Frame 51.5 x 45.0 m; mound d. 31 m, ht. 2 m, with deep depression in center. Bronze Age. Left bank Khovd Gol above Sagsay. View northeast.

Square khirigsuur are found in the same locations as round khirigsuur. They range in size from 12 m to over 55 m to a side. They are usually associated with other structures, such as small circular altars and mounds. Like round khirigsuur, they may have rays extending from the central mound to the outer wall. It is common to find the corners marked by piles of boulders or by single large boulders.

Square khirigsuur with mound of dark stones, frame of light stones, four rays, satellite altars on east, and large circular altars. Frame 51.5 x 45.0 m; mound d. 31 m, ht. 2 m, with deep depression in center. Bronze Age. Left bank Khovd Gol above Sagsay. View northeast. Square khirigsuur are found in the same locations as round khirigsuur. They range in size from 12 m to over 55 m to a side. They are usually associated with other structures, such as small circular altars and mounds. Like round khirigsuur, they may have rays extending from the central mound to the outer wall. It is common to find the corners marked by piles of boulders or by single large boulders.

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Square khirigsuur made with massive boulders; corner altars, satellite circular altars. Side approximately 14 m. Bronze Age. Ketnes, valley of Mogoityn Gol. View southeast.

Square khirigsuur are found in the same locations as round khirigsuur. They range in size from 12 m to over 55 m to a side. They are usually associated with other structures, such as small circular altars and mounds. Like round khirigsuur, they may have rays extending from the central mound to the outer wall. It is common to find the corners marked by piles of boulders or by single large boulders.

Square khirigsuur made with massive boulders; corner altars, satellite circular altars. Side approximately 14 m. Bronze Age. Ketnes, valley of Mogoityn Gol. View southeast. Square khirigsuur are found in the same locations as round khirigsuur. They range in size from 12 m to over 55 m to a side. They are usually associated with other structures, such as small circular altars and mounds. Like round khirigsuur, they may have rays extending from the central mound to the outer wall. It is common to find the corners marked by piles of boulders or by single large boulders.

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Square platform khirigsuur; side 50 m, removed central mound. Bronze Age. Left bank Chulut Bulag. View northwest.

This term refers to round or square khirigsuur where the skirt is covered by a pavement of boulders. Sometimes this pavement may be low and barely noticeable; in other cases, it may be of massive proportions and considerable height.

Square platform khirigsuur; side 50 m, removed central mound. Bronze Age. Left bank Chulut Bulag. View northwest. This term refers to round or square khirigsuur where the skirt is covered by a pavement of boulders. Sometimes this pavement may be low and barely noticeable; in other cases, it may be of massive proportions and considerable height.

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Square platform khirigsuur; side 29 m. Bronze Age. Left bank Khargantyn Gol. View north, downriver.

This term refers to round or square khirigsuur where the skirt is covered by a pavement of boulders. Sometimes this pavement may be low and barely noticeable; in other cases, it may be of massive proportions and considerable height.

Square platform khirigsuur; side 29 m. Bronze Age. Left bank Khargantyn Gol. View north, downriver. This term refers to round or square khirigsuur where the skirt is covered by a pavement of boulders. Sometimes this pavement may be low and barely noticeable; in other cases, it may be of massive proportions and considerable height.

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Round platform khirigsuur made of light colored boulders; two depressions in central mound; satellite altars and mounds. D. 22 m, ht. of mound 1.5 m. Bronze Age. Khöltsöötiin Khödöö, Sagsay Gol. View east.

This term refers to round or square khirigsuur where the skirt is covered by a pavement of boulders. Sometimes this pavement may be low and barely noticeable; in other cases, it may be of massive proportions and considerable height.

Round platform khirigsuur made of light colored boulders; two depressions in central mound; satellite altars and mounds. D. 22 m, ht. of mound 1.5 m. Bronze Age. Khöltsöötiin Khödöö, Sagsay Gol. View east. This term refers to round or square khirigsuur where the skirt is covered by a pavement of boulders. Sometimes this pavement may be low and barely noticeable; in other cases, it may be of massive proportions and considerable height.

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Boulder khirigsuur (right), round khirigsuur (left), and worn mound. Bronze Age. Left bank Khar Yamaa Gol. View southwest to canyon of Oigor Gol.

In the case of boulder khirigsuur, the central mound is replaced by a large, naturally located boulder around which has been arranged an extended skirt and external frame. These khirigsuur are usually found at the base of rocky slopes or cliffs from which the boulder presumably rolled.

Boulder khirigsuur (right), round khirigsuur (left), and worn mound. Bronze Age. Left bank Khar Yamaa Gol. View southwest to canyon of Oigor Gol. In the case of boulder khirigsuur, the central mound is replaced by a large, naturally located boulder around which has been arranged an extended skirt and external frame. These khirigsuur are usually found at the base of rocky slopes or cliffs from which the boulder presumably rolled.

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Boulder khirigsuur with circular frame obscured by grass. Bronze Age. Left bank upper Tsagaan Gol. View north.

In the case of boulder khirigsuur, the central mound is replaced by a large, naturally located boulder around which has been arranged an extended skirt and external frame. These khirigsuur are usually found at the base of rocky slopes or cliffs from which the boulder presumably rolled.

Boulder khirigsuur with circular frame obscured by grass. Bronze Age. Left bank upper Tsagaan Gol. View north. In the case of boulder khirigsuur, the central mound is replaced by a large, naturally located boulder around which has been arranged an extended skirt and external frame. These khirigsuur are usually found at the base of rocky slopes or cliffs from which the boulder presumably rolled.

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