Female Grave with Coral Earrings from Xiongnu Burial Ground Ala-Tei 1 in Tuva

A rare discovery of gold earrings adorned with coral pendants was unearthed from a female grave at the Xiongnu burial ground Ala-Tei 1, located beneath the Sayan-Shushenskoe Reservoir in Tuva. Such delicate and valuable artifacts are extremely uncommon, making this find significant for understanding Xiongnu nobility's material culture. The earrings bear striking similarities to those found in Chirikrabat culture graves along the lower Syrdarya River, suggesting a potential western origin via Silk Road trade routes. This discovery provides new insights into cultural exchange and artifact distribution across Central Asia, East Turkestan, northern Han China, and Mongolia during the Xiongnu period.

М.Е., Килуновская, & П. М., Леус,. (2022). FEMALE GRAVE WITH CORAL EARRINGS FROM XIONGNU BURIAL GROUND ALA-TEI 1 IN TUVA. Scientific Review of Sayano-Altai, (1(33)), 110–120. https://doi.org/10.52782/kril.2022.1.33.003