Noin Ula

The Xiongnu were a nomadic pastoral people who formed a tribal league in Central Asia around the 3rd century BCE. They dominated much of the region for over 500 years and were a constant threat to China's northern frontier, prompting the construction of the Great Wall. The Xiongnu were skilled mounted warriors who controlled territory from Manchuria to the Pamirs, encompassing much of modern Siberia and Mongolia.

The Noin Ula burial sites in Mongolia, north of Ulaanbaatar on the Selenge River, are among the richest excavated Xiongnu tombs. These sites, preserved by freezing conditions, have yielded significant artifacts, including horse burials and lavish furnishings. One tomb contained a coffin and possessions apparently made in China, such as a lacquer cup dated to 13 CE. The elaborate horse trappings and textiles found at Noin Ula, including a rug with a griffin and elk combat design, showcase a blend of Scytho-Altaic, Greco-Bactrian, and Parthian influences, indicating extensive trade networks.12