ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

This paper examined the tomb figurines and Byzantine golden coins discovered from the Bayannuur tomb and Pugu Yitu Tomb located in Mongolia. The scientific analysis on the tomb figurines and the lime plasters of the murals shows the Bayannuur Tomb can be dated to 670±70 or 680±100CE. The Byzantine coins cannot be the definite evidence to decide the date of the tomb, but similar Byzantine golden coin imitations discovered from other regions can help us determine the cultural exchanges among those regions where the same kind of Byzantine coins. Tomb figurines from the two tombs resemble to those figurines found in the early Tang tombs located in the Xi’an, Shaanxi which might tell us strong evidence of Tang Chinese influence on the region. However, in terms of materials, techniques, and pigments, there are certainly different features from those in the Central Plain region. Especially, they are more similar to those from the Astana tomb complex in Turfan, Xinjiang which appear to have a close relation with sculptures and murals in Central Asia. Thus, the tomb figurines from the Bayannuur Tomb and Pugu Yitu Tomb should be considered not only in the context of Tang Chinese tombs but also with sculptures and paintings of Central Asia About 40 gold coins from the Bayannuur Tomb are quite different from examples found in China in the number, techniques, and burial practice. Those tombs where Byzantine coins were buried also yielded many interesting burial objects related to Central Asia. It might tell us about the background of the tomb occupant, and the regional transmission process of such Central Asian objects, and the possible location of such workshop. Therefore, the burial objects and the burial practice shown in those tombs can shed a light on the understanding of the cultural background of a tomb occupant of the Bayannuur Tomb as well of the cultural interaction along the Steppe route.

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