‘The Altai Mountains and Sources of the Ob’, Asiatic Journal IX

A 19th-century expedition led by Dr. Bunge, commissioned by the St. Petersburg Academy, identified the true sources of the Ob River—formed by the confluence of the Biya and Katoonya rivers—as originating in the Golden Mountains of Altai (Altan tau), a remote and geologically distinct range separating Russian Siberia from the Chinese empire. The team traversed the rugged terrain, including the treacherous Chapchal Pass, to document the region's hydrology, geology, and biodiversity. They pinpointed the frontier column marking the boundary between Russian and Chinese territories near the Chooi River's headwaters. The study also noted the unique golden lustre of glimmerschiefer rock, which lent its name to the Altai range, and observed the sparse vegetation and rich wildlife in the high-altitude valleys. This work remains a foundational account of the region's natural history.

Frost, M. (2022). ‘The Altai Mountains and Sources of the Ob’, Asiatic Journal IX. Environment and Ecology in the Long Nineteenth-Century, 507–509. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429355653-85