Archéologie des Xiongnu en Russie : Nouvelles découvertes et quelques problèmes - article ; n°1 ; vol.51, pg 5-12

Arts asiatiques - Année 1996 - Volume 51 - Numéro 1 - Pages 5-12The Xiongnu (Eastern Huns) developed their empire after the late third century BC in Transbaikalia. Excavations in Buriatia by A. Davydova and S. Minaev at the Xiongnu sites of Ivolga, Dureny-1 and 2 and the cemetery of Derestuy are reported. A special study is devoted to the bronze belt ornaments of the tombs of Derestuy. They depict fighting scenes between animals and/or mythical beings in Ordos style and are connected to the social hierarchy of their bearers. The permanent settlements are seen as proto-cities. The Xiongnu performed agriculture and craft activities. Analyses of Chinese sources as well as archaeology leads to the conclusion that such cities were necessary for the maintaining of an Empire in the steppe zone, contrary to the strict nomadic theory. A classification of the burial types is made that differentiates early Xiongnu tombs and later elite monumental burials, influenced by Han China, and surrounded by poor sepultures with human sacrifices of non-Xiongnu individuals. In opposition with the classical Chinese sources locating the proto-Xiongnu in the Ordos, the Author recognizes them in the material found in the excavations of cemeteries, South and South-West of Manchuria.8 pagesSource : Persée ; Ministère de la jeunesse, de l’éducation nationale et de la recherche, Direction de l’enseignement supérieur, Sous-direction des bibliothèques et de la documentation.