The study of the Ishmukhametovsky kurgan of the early iron age continues in the Baymak district.

Between the Burele and Bolshaya Urtazimka rivers, archaeologists found a large mound, presumably dating from the period of the VII-III centuries BC. The burial ground has a ring structure, its diameter is about 33 m, and the height of the earthen embankment is 0.75 m. The monument was located in an actively plowed area.

In the center of the mound, a burial was found: a sub-rectangular shape with rounded edges, measuring 3 by 4 m and 2 m deep, made of chopped thick blocks and logs. The burial is surrounded by strips of loam, forming a kind of fence, with a gap on the southern side.

A skeleton with an unusual burial rite was found in the burial. The remains of a man are oriented with his head to the north, he lies on his stomach, face down. The left arm is bent at the stomach, the right arm is stretched up. The phalanges of the fingers of both hands lie to the side, and the bones of the legs below the knees are missing. A bronze arrowhead was found in the bow.

Judging by some finds, the mound belongs to the time of the Sarmatians. An akinak sword peculiar to the period, fragments of clay vessels, and bronze ornaments were found. Fragments of other human skeletons, animal bones, and horses have also been found.

It is assumed that the injuries inflicted on the deceased could have a ritual purpose of neutralization, which could be applied to influential priests or shamans. Traces of looting, animal exposure, and destruction of buildings were also found near the mound.

The study of the monument has not yet been completed, but the unique mound allows us to take a broader look at the ancient history of the region. It is likely that other burials of that period may be discovered both in the mound itself and next to it.

On August 26, the Tura Khan Visit Center became the venue for a meeting of the Council of the Club of Young Scientists of the Eurasian Scientific and Educational Center.

The Club of Young Scientists is a platform for communication, collaboration, exchange of ideas and experiences between young talents. To date, the Club has more than 240 members - representatives of universities, scientific organizations and industrial companies in the region. The agenda of the meeting was the summing up of the club's work for 2024-2025, as well as the selection of a new chairman of the club, Roman Kuleshov.

We also could not let the conference participants go without a tour of the exposition of our Visitor Center.

In the XIII - the beginning In the 14th century, the Islamic religious system began to actively spread in the territory of the Golden Horde, which quickly became dominant. The change of religion could not but affect the funeral and memorial traditions of the Turkic tribes. Nevertheless, this process was slow.

The canons of the Muslim religion exclude the presence of any kind of inventory and imply the correct orientation of the deceased's body, but despite the widespread adoption of Islam, at the initial stages the norms of the funeral rite could not immediately replace the centuries-old Turkic funeral traditions. In the Golden Horde period, there was a certain dualism: some burial groups correspond to the Muslim rite, while others correspond to traditional burial methods.

But even among Muslim burials, deviations from canonical norms were encountered for some time. The inventory from the funeral rite disappeared gradually, primarily from the commoners. A large proportion of burials with deviations from the Muslim tradition are located near the settlements of the Jochi Ulus, whose population was multi-confessional. Nevertheless, canonical burials were also present at the earliest stages of the Islamization of the Turkic peoples.

The funeral traditions of the nomads of the Middle Ages, after the establishment of Muslim religious dogmas, retained remnants of previous beliefs for a long time. Based on the synthesis of old and new beliefs, a new, peculiar religious philosophy was obtained, different from Orthodox Islam.

On this day, the Visitor Center became a place of attraction for chefs, artists and artisans. The guests of the event tasted national dishes, attended a fair, master classes and a concert in the amphitheater.

As part of the festival, the world's largest tultyrylgan tauyk was prepared, a bird stuffed with an omelet, a dish of Bashkir cuisine. Artisans and cultural figures from Chishminsky and other districts of the republic have created thematic exhibitions of folk art and creativity. Artists of the republic from the Bashkir folk folklore ensemble "Gulnazira", the Tatar folklore ensemble "Kushtirek" and the Chishmin Palace of Culture performed at the concert for the guests.

We would like to thank the organizers, participants and guests of the festival for a bright and exciting event!

On August 16, the Monarybyz Garmun Tellarenda holiday was held at the Tura Khan Visitor Center

The event was organized by ANO "Izge Miras" ("Holy Heritage"). At the festival "Melodies in the language of Harmony", artists and harmonica players in national costumes performed folk songs and played harmony for the museum guests. The participants were thanked for their creativity and presented with gifts.

On August 15, we celebrate Archaeologist's Day, a celebration of all those who are at the forefront of studying the past. The Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations congratulates students, scientists, researchers in the field and laboratories, newcomers and veterans of excavations. Your work is an invaluable contribution to science, and your findings open the door to understanding the distant past.

May your desire for science never disappear, the weather will be favorable, and discoveries always lead to new discoveries!

"Tombstone on the grave of Hadji Hussein bey, delivered by Tamerlane" and "Mausoleum of the famous Muslim missionary, Nagai Imam Hadji Hussein bey", 1910.

Photographs of Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorsky, a pioneer of color photography in Russia. At the beginning of the 20th century, Prokudin-Gorsky traveled to many provinces of the Russian Empire and created hundreds of unique color photographs both in central Russia, the Caucasus, the Urals, and Central Asia.

A year after the creation of the photographs, at the initiative of Mufti Mukhamedyar Mukhametsharipovich Sultanov, at the expense of the religious community, the mausoleum of Hussein bey was reconstructed on the model of the Khan's tomb in Bulgar (Tatarstan). It is believed that the architecture of the mausoleum was originally identical to that of Tura Khan.

Bladed weapons play a special role in the complex of weapons of a professional and noble warrior of the era of the Mongol Empire. Straight swords and broadswords were inferior in convenience and practicality for equestrian combat, and therefore, by the beginning of the Mongol period, sabers were most widespread in the steppes.

The blade of the Horde saber followed Central Asian traditions: its length was about 80-100 cm, it had a bend and was single—edged, but at the end the sharpening covered the top of the butt by 20-30 cm for a piercing blow. A specific detail was the binding of the blade in front of the crosshair with a specific clip with a tongue covering the top of the blade by 10-15 cm. This clip protected the fingers and the mouth of the scabbard from accidental cuts. A characteristic feature for some sabers were the shafts, which gave the blades strength and lightening the weight.

Modern steel analyses of the blades indicate the highest quality — they were made of "Damascus" welded steel or cast steel. Over time, saber blades became more and more curved, and from the second half of the 14th century, a pronounced elman appeared — an extension in the lower third or quarter of the blade.

Sabers served as a symbol of the owner's wealth and nobility and were not accessible to most. Possession of such a blade determined belonging to the elite of steppe society. A sign of special honor was the khan's award of a precious belt on which a saber was suspended. Such a blade was valued on a par with a warhorse and could even have a special magical name.

Author of the text: Alexey Nechvaloda, Ph.D., Anthropologist of the Department of Ethology, IIAL UFIC RAS

We continue the story about the remains of people buried in the mausoleum of Hussein bey in Chishmy. In addition to Huseyn bey himself, over whose grave a tombstone with an epitaph was placed at the head, there was a burial of a young woman aged 20-25 years (Fig.1). There was also a simple gravestone above her grave. (Fig. 2).

Taking into account the morphological features of the female skull from burial №2 of the Huseyn Bey mausoleum, it can be concluded that it is located within the boundaries of the variability of classical Mongoloids. This row includes the angle of the nasal bones protrusion, the profile modules of the face and nose bridge, and a number of other indicators. In general, the relative proportion of the so-called "Mongoloid element" (UDME) indicates that the skull from this burial belongs to the Mongoloids of the Central Asian circle.

When clustering the matrix of similarity criteria according to the Heinke formula (this is when an individual/single skull is compared with a series of skulls), it formed a separate cluster with a series of Kalmyks skulls (Fig.3). Of course, we can get accurate information about her origin only after analyzing the DNA from this burial.

At one time, I performed a sculptural anthropological reconstruction of the face using the method of M. Gerasimov on the skull from the woman of burial №2 (Fig. 4). Now we offer you a digital approximation of the appearance of this young woman (Fig.5,6).

List of illustrations:
Fig. 1. The skull of a woman from burial №2 of the Huseyn Bek mausoleum.
Fig. 2. Reconstruction of the original form of the tombstone above burial №2.
Fig. 3. Clusterization results using the Heinke formula: comparison of the skull from burial №2 with a series of skulls of other peoples.
Fig. 4. Combination of the skull and the reconstruction performed faces (digital approximation).
Fig. 5-6. Digital approximation of the appearance of a woman from burial № 2 of the mausoleum of Hussein bey.

The IV International Bashkort Ata Festival is currently taking place near Lake Grafskoye in the Baymak district. And the place was chosen for a reason — recent archaeological research confirms the cult of the horse among our ancestors.

More recently, archaeologists discovered the Ishmukhametovsky kurgan here (VII-VI centuries BC). Several burials were found in it, including presumably a priest or a shaman. And on the outskirts of the mound there are many horse bones, which indicates the role of the animal in funeral rites.

Rashit Sultanov, a researcher at the Irendyk Museum-Reserve, commented: "Judging by the number of bones and their position, disturbed by plowing, it is likely that whole or large parts of a horse and possibly other animals were buried here. Given the mixing of the bones, our archaeozoological colleagues will have to find out their exact number and determine the species composition."

The cult of the horse was incredibly strong here and persisted for a very long time. As Rashit Sultanov adds: "The cult of the horse in these parts persisted until the middle of the twentieth century. Villagers hung the skull of this animal on the fence of their houses or in a barn to ensure the welfare and protection of livestock, and used it as a pawn during the construction of a new building. The presence in Bashkir mythology and fairy tales of the magical horses Akbuzat and Tolpara, possessing supernatural abilities, indicates that horses have been revered and deified since ancient times."

The new trail will be a logical continuation of the existing route "The Way of the Nomad". It starts from the parking lot, passes through the visitor center, symbolizing the transition from modernity to the past, and ends at the mausoleums.

This is an important practical step that will allow you to create a holistic tourist route. Now guests can comfortably and safely move from one monument to another, continuing their immersion in history and enjoying the natural landscape.

The event was organized by the Regional Public Organization Rod Min and the International Union of Public Associations World Kurultai (Congress) Bashkirs.

The holiday gathered dozens of participants, which became a vivid demonstration of interest in preserving and popularizing the cultural heritage of the republic.

A master class on making Bashkir jewelry was particularly popular, where everyone could try their hand at creating traditional patterns. Vivid ethnic-style photographs against the backdrop of a historical site have become a wonderful memorable gift for all the guests. 📸

The performances of the artists, who performed folk songs and dances, vividly demonstrated the cultural wealth and unity of the peoples of Bashkortostan.

Photos can be found at the link: https://vk.com/album-226634666_310034122

The concert wasdedicated to the rich musical heritage of the Bashkir people.

Aidar Iskhakov is a native of Uchaly, a prominent representative of the modern ethnic scene. Having started his career at the age of five, by 2022 the musician had already released several singles and albums in Bashkir. His virtuoso mastery of traditional instruments and deep connection with the culture of his people have earned him recognition at concert venues in Ufa and Kazan.

The program of the evening featured works performed on the main instruments of the Bashkir tradition.Each musical number was accompanied by a musician's story about the deep meaning, history and traditions associated with the performed works. The audience was able not only to appreciate the highest level of performing skills, but also to understand the role of melody in the traditional Bashkir worldview.

The Maly Keshene Mausoleum is one of the ancient monuments of the Golden Horde era in Bashkortostan. It is located next to the Tura Khan mausoleum and was probably part of a necropolis with many graves.

The walls of the mausoleum were thinner than those of the neighboring Tura Khan Mausoleum, and may have been built from less durable materials. The researchers suggest that the upper part of the walls could be made of mud bricks, which eventually collapsed. Only the stone plinths have survived to this day.

N.P. Rychkov in the XVIII century referred to the "Small Keshene" as "not quite built building." However, modern researchers, for example, G.N. Garustovich, believe that the mausoleum was completely destroyed. Perhaps the construction was interrupted due to political events, for example, due to the civil war in the Golden Horde (the "Great Jamming" of 1357-1380).

The mausoleum had a square shape and probably a centric layout. The walls were built of limestone slabs on gypsum mortar, and the dome may have been made of light volcanic tuff.

Maly Keshene is an important evidence of the spread of Islam in the Ural-Volga region and an example of Golden Horde architecture. Despite its poor preservation, it remains a cultural heritage site that helps us better understand the history of this region. Archaeological excavations by G.N. Garustovich, conducted in 1985, revealed four burials performed according to the Muslim rite, which confirms the religious function of the monument.

Source: Garustovich G.N., Nechvaloda A.I. Medieval stone mausoleums of Bashkortostan. Ufa, Kitap, 2020. 400 p.

In 1908, the Russian writer and ethnographer Mikhail Antonovich Krukovsky went on an expedition to the Southern Urals. His goal was to capture the diversity of the region's life and the unique ethnographic features of the local peoples.

He paid special attention to Bashkirs, and his observations have come down to us in vivid descriptions and photographs.

Krukovsky noticed their vivacity and optimism: "[Bashkir] is agile to the point of agility and dexterity, but his movements are not rude, but soft, he likes to have fun endlessly, joke and laugh; he has a humorous turn of mind, he knows how to notice everything funny and funny."

The researcher believed that this love of freedom and fun is a legacy of the nomadic past: "The former nomad has not died in Bashkir until now. As soon as summer comes, Bashkir goes to the country. He leaves his cramped, dirty hut with all the cockroaches and bedbugs and goes with all his belongings and family to the field."

Krukovsky also mentioned Tura Khan's mausoleum. He noted its original and integral architecture, symbolizing "terrible heaviness and eternal fortress."

This post contains Krukovsky's photographs taken in the Bashkir village of Verkhniye Thermy. Their faces, costumes and everyday life, captured more than 100 years ago.

The program featured Bashkir folk melodies in a modern arrangement, as well as works by composer Ural Idelbaev. Honored Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan Evgeny Chugaev (dumbyra) and laureate of international competitions Alisa Yakshidavletova (kyl-kubyz) performed in front of the audience.

Alisa Yakshidavletova shared her impressions after the performance: "We were very pleased to play on this court, as the atmosphere was amazing. Many thanks to the listeners, they listened with special pleasure and awe... The emotions from this performance are the most positive. It's nice that people are interested in listening to instrumental music."

This calm and peaceful concert was a wonderful reminder of the power of live sound and the beauty of cultural traditions that artists so carefully preserve and develop with such talent.

Photos: https://vk.com/album-226634666_310140688

On the outskirts of the village of Chishmy lies a unique monument of medieval Islamic architecture – the Hussein-bek Mausoleum, dating back to the 14th century. Situated in the sacred Akziyarat cemetery (which translates to "White, Holy Cemetery"), the mausoleum was almost completely destroyed by the 18th-19th centuries: domes had collapsed, walls stood in ruins, and stone debris had buried ancient alabaster tombstones. Despite this, local residents revered the site as a shrine for centuries.

The mausoleum's new life began in 1911, initiated by Mufti Mukhamedyar Mukhametsharipovich Sultanov. Through community funds and donations from believers, the ruins were carefully reconstructed. Builders cleared the ancient foundation, reinforced the walls using local limestone, and recreated the building's appearance.

The restored structure is characterized by monumental simplicity: walls are constructed from meticulously fitted stones laid with clay mortar. From its original splendor, akin to the nearby Tur-khan Mausoleum, a restrained power remains, emphasizing the sacredness of the place.

Soon, the ancient Muslim monument will undergo restoration. Experienced specialists, authorized to work with cultural heritage sites, will be involved in the preservation efforts of the Hussein-bek kashane.

In the 1980s, archaeologists identified nine burials inside the mausoleum. Three simple grave pits contained the remains of adults – two men (burial #1 – Hussein-bek, burial #7) and one woman (burial #2). The name of one of the interred, Khadji Hussein-bek, son of Omar-bek from Turkestan, who passed away in 1339, has reached us thanks to the epitaph on the tombstone erected in the mausoleum. All other burials are of children. One of them was an adolescent.

The mausoleum, as the burial place of the first imam of the Bashkirs, the preacher of Islam Hussein-bek, is a revered Muslim shrine, an architectural monument, and a federal cultural heritage site.

Source: Garustovich G.N., Nechvaloda A.I. Medieval Stone Mausoleums of Bashkortostan. - Ufa, Kitap, 2020. - 400 p.

Talented instrumentalists Rayan Khusnullin and Arslan Umurzakov masterfully guided the audience from lyrical and poignant melodies to energetic rhythms. And the powerful drum accompaniment performed by Rasim Lugamanov gave the traditional music incredible dynamics and a modern sound.

The evening began with a deep immersion into music and concluded with a true dance extravaganza. The audience didn't just listen – they lived every sound. And when the artists invited them to dance, the hall responded instantly.

"We didn't even notice the cold outside; we were warmed not only in spirit but also in body thanks to the dancing." – these were the impressions one of the guests of the Saturday concert took away.

We asked Arslan Umurzakov about his impressions of the evening.

🗣️ "The interactive part went really well, people were dancing! We wanted to warm them up, despite the weather. In the summer, we also drank tea together here, it was very sunny. And today, we danced so much that we didn't even remember the cold."

Live music, especially such sincere and powerful music, is capable of creating a special atmosphere of unity. We thank everyone who was with us!

Photos: https://vk.com/album-226634666_310226848

In the late 1960s, archaeologist Niyaz Mazhitov excavated a kurgan-like mound near the village of Maksyutovo in the Kugarchinsky district. He discovered not just a burial, but the remains of a portal mausoleum constructed from fired brick. Architectural analysis indicated its affiliation with the "Central Asian peripheral" school of architecture.

Inside, near the northern wall, a single burial of a woman was found, conducted according to Muslim rites: the body was oriented westward, with no grave goods. Anthropologists determined that the remains belonged to a woman of mature age. An attempt to reconstruct her appearance in the late 1960s was unsuccessful, and the fate of the skull remains a mystery to this day.

However, the mausoleum is more than just an architectural structure. Its location is not accidental. Analysis of cartographic and archaeological data suggests it was built in a narrow steppe corridor east of the Malye Nakas ridge – along the route of seasonal migrations of the nomads of the Shiban ulus. It served as an important landmark in the landscape and likely symbolized the transition of the nobility to the new religion – Islam.

The current protected status of the site provides opportunities for further research into this unique monument.

Playing the kurai and kyl-kubyz is always a special phenomenon, and their combined sound is a rarity for our republic. On this evening, ancient instruments came to life, filling the space with melodies of Bashkir folk songs, classical works, and music from other peoples.

Zaliya Ganiatullina herself expressed special feelings after the concert: "Overwhelmed with emotions! Today, my husband and I performed on the stage of the 'Tura-Khan' visitor center amphitheater for the first time. It wasn't just a performance, but a touch of history! We are endlessly grateful to the organizers for the warm welcome."

"Dala Sazy" fulfilled its main objective – not just to showcase music, but to create a space where genuine, living interaction with culture and history is born.

Photos: https://vk.com/album-226634666_310314154

The mausoleum is constructed from various types of stone, each chosen deliberately for its strength, lightness, or decorative properties.

The main body of the walls is built from dense limestone. This is a hard and reliable material that withstands the weather. For the dome and arches, a different, much lighter material was required – porous algal limestone. Its porous structure helped reduce the load on the walls. The lowest part of the mausoleum, which bears the entire weight of the building, is laid with sandstone and breccia – a stone composed of fragments. These served as a reliable foundation. To ensure the walls were even, thin plates of layered limestone were placed between the large blocks.

The entire structure was bound together with a gypsum (alabaster) mortar containing mineral and organic additives. This was likely for increased plasticity and strength.

Fragments of the materials used to build the mausoleum are displayed at the "Tura-khan" visitor center.

On October 11th, the "Tura-khan" visitor center held a series of events dedicated to the Republic of Bashkortostan Day.

In the first half of the day, a masterclass on making Bashkir chest ornaments took place. Participants learned about the types and features of this traditional adornment, as well as techniques for working with beads, coins, and metal elements.

In the afternoon, guests were treated to the program "Dumbura: The Sound of the Bashkir Soul in Every Chord." Sulpan Alibaeva, a laureate of international competitions, performed musical numbers. Sergey Vilkov, a master craftsman of national instruments, delivered an informative lecture on the history and creation of the dumbura. The program concluded with a photo session for everyone.

👉🏻 The album can be found here: https://vk.com/album-226634666_310378693

On October 12th, a pottery masterclass with open-hearth firing of ceramics took place at the "Tura-khan" visitor center. The event brought together everyone who wanted not just to hear, but to see and feel how ancient masters of the Southern Urals worked with clay.

The event was led by Vadim Mukhametdinov – an archaeologist, senior lecturer at Ufa State University of Science and Technology, and a specialist in ancient ceramics. Under his guidance, participants witnessed the firing of replicas of archaeological vessels in an open hearth.

With the help of fire, it was possible to give the clay vessels that very authentic look that distinguishes real archaeological finds. Hearth firing results in a characteristic mottled coloration and lower durability, but it was precisely this technology that was primary for local peoples up until the developed Middle Ages.

After the successful firing, we asked the organizer, Vadim Mukhametdinov, about his personal impressions.

"To be honest, this is my first independent experience of open-hearth firing on such a scale. Therefore, I wouldn't have been surprised by a production defect of 50 percent or more. But almost all the vessels survived the firing. One lost its bottom, a couple or three cracked. I think I understand why this happened. And this is also an experience that will allow us to avoid mistakes in the future."

He also noted the value of the format: "The most valuable aspect was the proposal itself from the staff of the Eurasian Museum to hold such an event. Firing the pottery was necessary to fulfill our obligations to the museum. And holding it at the museum's venue in a masterclass format was a pleasant bonus. It's gratifying that the masterclass was attended by ceramic artists who shared their experience."

Speaking about technologies, Vadim explained: "The technologies were very diverse, even within the same era. But all ancient technologies were united by the coil-building technique and firing in open devices like hearths. Important innovations in pottery, such as the use of the potter's wheel and glaze, began to appear in the Southern Urals during the Golden Horde period."

Despite the cold weather, the event attracted an interested audience, where participants could ask their questions and personally interact with the expert, learning about the intricacies of the craft.

Photos from the event can be seen here: https://vk.com/album-226634666_310383391

As part of a project to study biorepair of mausoleums in the summer of 2023, the species composition of lichens on the external surfaces of the walls and dome was identified. Lichenologists identified 32 species of lichens developing on the surfaces of the stone structures.

The most common species found were typical calciphilous lichens: Calogaya decipiens, Verrucaria sp., Candelariella sp., Diplotomma venustum, and others.

The study showed that lichen communities cover significant areas of the walls and domes, allowing the condition of the monuments to be classified as a moderate degree of biological degradation.

Of particular interest is the difference in the nature of the damage to the two mausoleums. The Mausoleum of Tur-Khan, built using gypsum-containing rocks, suffers from the gradual leaching of the binding material by rainwater. Lichens actively colonize the resulting voids, exacerbating the degradation process. The Mausoleum of Khuseyn-Bek, constructed from material without gypsum layers, suffers more from the development of higher plants, whose root systems cause mechanical destruction of the stone.

All identified lichen species are common to the region and can be removed during restoration work. The data obtained will form the basis for developing scientifically sound measures for the preservation of these unique architectural monuments.

Mansur Mukhitdinov is known in Ufa as the Hazrat of the Yurt Mosque. He creates amazing graphic works where classical technique meets the art of silver-point drawing. His art embodies a deep contemplation of sacred architecture and nature through the lens of inner reflection. In Islamic tradition, silver is valued as a symbol of spiritual light, clarity, and grace, and these qualities are reflected in each of his pieces.

Mansur Mukhitdinov's work has already found its audience far beyond his studio. His pieces are held in private collections, including that of the Supreme Mufti of Russia, Sheikh-ul-Islam Talgat Safa Tajuddin, and have also traveled abroad – one of his copies is with a professor in Jordan.

This exhibition invites you to pause from the everyday hustle and bustle and reflect on the eternal through the contemplation of art. Each work is a meditation on the harmony of divine design.

We invite all art connoisseurs to visit this exhibition! Admission is free.

Local residents claim that the toponym is connected to Tuktamysh-bay of the Tura-khan clan, who stopped here in the 14th century. And the spring has borne his name ever since.

According to Doctor of Historical Sciences Bulat Aznabaev, the legend may be linked to the Golden Horde khan Tokhtamysh. After a crushing defeat on the Kondurcha River in 1391, Tokhtamysh fled. And his path lay precisely through these lands. Almost all of Bashkiria fought on his side, and now the warriors had to retreat eastward, away from the vengeance of the invincible Timur. They marched through the steppes of the modern Chishminsky district and could well have stopped at this very spring to water their horses and bandage their wounds. It is possible that the khan himself was here, making his way to Siberia, where he was destined to find his final resting place.

"Tuktamysh is a very rare name for Bashkirs. It's unlikely there was another wealthy man known to the people for them to compose legends about him," reasons Professor Aznabaev.

But the land itself remembers not only khans and battles. These expanses were the patrimony of the Subi-Minsk Bashkirs until they were confiscated by the treasury in 1736. Later, Mishars settled here, founding the village of Verkhnie Termy. By 1906, the village already had three mosques, a school, and a mill – life went on as usual, and the legendary spring continued to gush from the ground.

Today, its waters, just as cold, flow towards the village and gather in a pond. Local fishermen value this place for its catch of crucian carp and carp, but swimmers tend to avoid it – the water is too icy.

Near the Tura-Khan Mausoleum lies a valuable epigraphic monument – a 17th-century tombstone. It was erected in 1107 AH (1695-1696 Gregorian calendar) in honor of Takay-batyr, son of Telyakay-biy, a prominent representative of the Bashkir Kobaу clan.

The text of the epitaph contains profound meaning and consists of seven lines in Arabic:

هو الحی الذی لا يموت و كل حی

\ سيموت قال النبی عليه السلام و كل

\ نفس ذا ئقة الموت صدق الدنیا ساعة

\ فجعلها طاعة تاریغ منکدا یوزدا یتیدا اردی

\ قوباو تلکی بی اوعلی طقی باطورنک

\ بیلکوسیدور ایر انلاردین دوعا

\ صدق الدنیا جیفة طالبها کلاب

The inscription begins with Quranic verses: "He is the Living [the Almighty], who does not die. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: every soul will taste death." This is followed by a philosophical exhortation: "The world is an hour, so use it in pious deeds." The central part indicates the name of the deceased: "A monument to Takay-batyr, son of Telyakay-biy, of the Kubovo [clan]", and the text concludes with a metaphor: "The world is carrion, and all who desire it are dogs."

The presence of this epitaph confirms that the area around the mausoleum historically served as the ancestral necropolis of the Bashkirs of the Kobaу tribe. The title "batyr" indicates that the deceased belonged to the military nobility and held a high social status in Bashkir society of that period.

The monument represents significant cultural and historical value. Its stylistic design demonstrates a direct similarity to the epitaphs at the Hussein-bek Mausoleum. Of particular value is the presence in the text of elements of the Bashkir language in the spelling of names and numerals.

This artifact serves as tangible evidence of the developed artistic traditions and social structure of Bashkir society in the 17th century.

The monument is accessible for viewing by all visitors to the complex on the way to the Tura-Khan Mausoleum.

This figure is shrouded in mystery, and local legends often associate him with the descendants of Genghis Khan.

Firstly, "Tura Khan" is not a personal name of a specific individual, but rather a title. It derives from the Turkic-Mongolian word "töre," which means "law, order, power, or structure." In the Mongol Empire, the Golden Horde, and the Kazakh Khanate, this term designated the elite – descendants of Genghis Khan, known as tore-Chingizids: sultans, oglans, beks, and ak suyek. These individuals had a legitimate claim to the Khan's throne. Evidence is found in historical sources, such as the 1428 letter from Khan Ulu Muhammad to Ottoman Sultan Murad II, which mentions the terms "khan agalarymyz" and "törelerymiz" in reference to the descendants of Urus Khan and Tokhtamysh. Furthermore, in the book "Tazkira-yi Azizan" by Muhamedsadyk, the term "töre khan" appears three times as a designation for a ruler. These findings are supported by the works of historians I. Erofeeva, dedicated to Khan Abulkhair, and T.I. Sultanov.

Secondly, mausoleums like the keshene of Tura Khan are portal-domed tent structures that were built exclusively for tore-Chingizids as symbols of their high status. Their architecture evolved from Khorezmian structures of the 12th-13th centuries to later complexes, such as Kok-Kesene in Sygnak of the 15th-16th centuries. Direct analogies are found in Kazakhstan: the mausoleums of Abat-Baitak, Kok-Kesene, Babaji-Khatun, and Il-Arslan. Kazakh scholar M. Zh. Abdirov emphasizes that such tombs were intended only for members of the Khan's lineage, highlighting their elitism.

Thirdly, in the 13th-16th centuries, the Southern Urals were a remote periphery of the Ulus of Jochi – too cold for the year-round nomadic lifestyle of the Mongols. Mongol Khans did not seek to fully control these lands, so the Bashkirs paid yasak and supplied fully equipped warriors for wars, but retained their patrimonial rights, the sovereign power of the biys, and an independent internal way of life. This was made possible through diplomacy, including negotiations by Maiky-biy and Muyten-biy, and the conclusion of a treaty with the western Bashkirs in the first third of the 13th century. The Mongols limited themselves to controlling legal functions and external relations, delegating this to viceroys – Chingizid-töre. These viceroys acted as intermediaries, gaining the trust of both the Khans and the local clans.

Fourth, interesting echoes of this story have been preserved in Kazakh folklore, particularly in the epic "Tyurakhan." Two manuscript versions exist: one recorded by the akyn Nurpeis Baiganin, and the other by the folklorist Bisen Sarimanov. The main hero, Torekhan, is the son of Temirkhan, a descendant of Khan Nuradin, and the grandson of the legendary Orak-Mamai.

Thus, the mausoleum of Tura-khan is the burial place of a Mongol governor from the lineage of Genghis Khan. In the 14th century, this individual was responsible for collecting yasak (tribute), maintaining law and order, and diplomatic relations in the Southern Urals.

Source: I. Bulyakov, A. Salikhov, G. Bulyakova. Who are you, Tura-khan? // "Vatandash" magazine, No. 12, December 2022.

On November 11, an off-site meeting of the Republic of Bashkortostan Committee for UNESCO Affairs was held at the "Tura-khan" visitor center of the Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations. The event was dedicated to summarizing the results of work for 2025 and defining priority areas for cooperation with UNESCO.

The meeting was attended by Alexander Alimov, Director of the Department for Multilateral Humanitarian Cooperation and Cultural Ties of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO. The Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov, noted that UNESCO issues are of strategic importance for the region, encompassing the preservation of natural and ethno-cultural diversity, the development of ecotourism, the creation of relevant infrastructure, and the implementation of educational projects.

Alexander Alimov highly praised the results of the Republic of Bashkortostan's work, calling 2025 "a year of victories that the entire country is proud of." He emphasized the region's richness in natural and cultural diversity, as well as the federal center's readiness to act as a partner in project implementation.

At the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on the prospects of including the Mausoleum of Tura-khan in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This oldest architectural monument of the Golden Horde era (14th century), built from local limestone using unique Golden Horde construction technology, serves as a vivid example of regional architectural tradition. The mausoleum is the central element of a ritual and architectural complex that includes the Small Keshéné, an extensive necropolis, and a special cultural landscape. It stands as evidence of the Islamization of the Ulus of Jochi, an indicator of the administrative center of the Golden Horde, and for seven centuries has maintained its status as a place of spiritual worship and pilgrimage. Its strategic location on an elevated site, with visibility for tens of kilometers, creates a consciously organized, highly developed landscape symbolizing the unity of power and religion.

The principles of preserving this landscape have already been applied in the development of the "Tura-Khan" visitor center and remain a key task in the construction process of the Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations. The nomination initiative has received approval from Radiy Khabirov. The project team for the Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations possesses a solid methodological and scientific foundation, which will serve as a reliable basis for compiling the nomination dossier for the mausoleum.

Among the key achievements of 2025, the following were noted: the inclusion of the "Shulgan-Tash" Nature Reserve in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a cultural site, the accession of the "Toratau" Geopark to the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, the acquisition of the status of a center of competence – a UNESCO-recognized Chair "Geoparks and Sustainable Development Territories" at the Ufa University of Science and Technology (UUNT), as well as the grand opening of Russia's first international reference geological sections ("golden spikes") "Usolka" and "Dalny Tyulkas" in the territory of the "Toratau" Geopark in Gafuriysky district. The successful re-attestation of the "Yangan-Tau" Geopark two years ago confirms its role in the sustainable development of territories.

Work continues on the nomination of the Toratau, Yuraktau, and Kushtau shikhans to the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as the formation of a tourist cluster based on the Voskresensky Copper Smelting Plant and the historical monuments of the village of Verkhotor, focused on the development of the 18th-century mining and industrial civilization.

These initiatives will ensure additional protection for unique sites, enhance their international recognition, and contribute to the development of tourism and the sustainable development of the territory. As noted by Radiy Khabirov, the Republic of Bashkortostan has significant potential for further expansion of cooperation with UNESCO.

Album with photos: https://vk.com/album-226634666_310698710

The third day of the international scientific conference, dedicated to the 140th anniversary of Sergey Rudenko and the 100th anniversary of his monograph on the Bashkirs, took place at the "Tura-Khan" visitor center. This forum brought together scientists from Russia and experts from Kazakhstan, Germany, China, and Iran to discuss issues of archaeology, ethnography, and history of the peoples of Eurasia, including the Bronze Age, the Middle Ages, and the Pazyryk culture, which Rudenko actively studied in his works.

Guests were welcomed by the Bashkir folk ensemble "Avdon Mon'dary" from the Ufa district, led by Zaliya Zinattullina. The ensemble performed several pieces, setting a tone for the event with elements of national culture. This was followed by a tour of the visitor center, which was then succeeded by a report by Andrey Astaikin titled "The Era of Genghis Khan's Conquest Wars in Eurasia on a Historical Reconstruction Map."

Participants noted the ambitious nature of the Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations project, which requires international cooperation to create an exhibition with replicas of monuments from various Eurasian regions, including Kazakhstan, Altai, and Mongolia. They emphasized the importance of Eurasianism as a unifying factor for multinational Russia, where the museum will help preserve common history and traditions, and called the conference one of the largest on nomadism in recent years. Such meetings, according to scientists, promote knowledge exchange and aid in the preservation of cultural diversity.

The forum was held with the support of the Government of Bashkortostan, Bashkultnaslediye, the Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations, and the Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, among others.

For those interested, excursions to Ufa's museums were also organized on this day: the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the National Museum of the Republic of Bashkortostan, and the M.V. Nesterov Art Museum.

At the International Scientific Conference in Ufa, dedicated to the 140th anniversary of Sergey Rudenko and the 100th anniversary of his monograph on the Bashkirs, scholars shared their thoughts on the Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations project.

Professor Alexey Alexeevich Tishkin of Altai State University emphasized the role of Eurasianism: "There is no doubt that a Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations should exist in Russia. The idea of Eurasianism has long been developed in philosophy and science. Although not everyone supports it and interpretations vary, the general meaning remains the same: the Eurasian continent has one common history, which we must not only know and study, but also be proud of, as it is a vast cauldron of world civilization. Eurasianism as a unifying factor is, in fact, our most important advantage. Today, attempts are being made worldwide to erase traditions rooted in the self-awareness of peoples. Russia is a multinational country, and therein lies its strength: mutual enrichment, contacts between peoples and cultures develop all participants in this interaction. Therefore, I consider the creation of the Eurasian Museum and a unified museum space to be a timely and good initiative."

Gleb Kubarev, a senior researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences from Novosibirsk, shared his opinion on the "Tura-Khan" visitor center and the project itself: "The building impresses with its harmony with the surrounding environment. It has truly blended into the landscape and looks dignified." He called the project ambitious and requiring interaction with scientists from different Eurasian countries to enrich the exhibition. "In my opinion, such a museum should feature iconic monuments from all of Steppe Eurasia – from the territories of Kazakhstan, Altai, and other regions. I would like to see replicas of the most important archaeological complexes from Mongolia as well, since this country was the center of nomadic empires, the starting point for conquest campaigns. For example, replicas of stelae with ancient runic inscriptions, sculptural images, and much more."

Iranian scholar Amir Ismail Alizadeh, head of the Department at Al-Mustafa International University, noted historical connections. He said that the Kipchak Steppe was once an important route between East and West, and the nomads of this land communicated with the Iranians – trading, exchanging culture and art. According to him, the museum can showcase these connections through trade routes, art objects, and historical narratives to explain how the life of nomads and Persian civilization together created a common Eurasian culture.

Russian historian and cartographer Andrey Astaykin, who is collaborating with the project, plans to create a series of maps for the museum: 20 to 35 pieces, covering the history of Eurasia from Romania to Korea, including Southeast Asia and India. The maps will show the movement of tribes, the transformations of states, and the changes in ethnic groups from the Bronze Age to the present day. "If I am given the opportunity to implement this, the entire history of Eurasia will be explained in great detail, not only of the steppe and nomads, but also of settled tribes living near the nomads. It will be a stunning piece of work. And if these maps are animated and compiled into a single animated film, equipped with a chronological scale and brief explanations, then any museum visitor will be able to understand how everything develops and changes. It will be extremely interesting."

Conference participants await the project's development and the opening of the museum itself, which will house artifacts from various regions of Eurasia.

The full photo album can be found here: https://vk.com/album-226634666_310722794

An exhibition of artifacts unearthed by the N.A. Mazhitov Bashkir Archaeological Expedition is now open at the "Tura-khan" Visitor Center of the Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations. The exhibition is dedicated to the settlement of Podymalovo-1 and showcases a portion of the collection, featuring items made of iron, non-ferrous metals, bone, and ceramics.

Podymalovo-1 is a medieval archaeological site in Bashkortostan, dating back to the 14th century. It was discovered in 2010 by archaeologist Gennady Nikolaevich Garustovich. The first research on the site began in 2016, with the initial excavations taking place in 2017.

Judging by the findings, the inhabitants of the settlement were a migrant population. They were actively engaged in crafts, including metalworking (producing weapons and tools), bone carving (making inlays and gaming bones), and jewelry making (ornaments, rings, earrings). This is evidenced by the numerous artifacts on display: fragments of chainmail, arrowheads, knives, scissors, and locks.

A distinctive feature of Podymalovo-1 is the abundance of Kashin pottery – brightly glazed tableware, fragments of which have been found in large quantities. These items indicate intensive trade relations with cities in the Volga region (such as Bulgar) and Central Asia. Furthermore, the presence of ceramics from the Chiyalik archaeological culture points to close contacts between the migrant inhabitants and the local population.

The main exhibits of the exhibition include fragments of glazed Kashin pottery, jewelry (beads, rings, earrings), coins, arrowheads, chainmail fragments, and gaming bones (knucklebones). Among the rare finds are a conical spindle whorl with a cross-shaped ornament, bone inlays, saddle trim, millstones, a chisel, a fragment of a cast-iron cauldron, a claw chisel, and a mace weight. These artifacts illustrate the daily life, crafts, and intercultural interactions of the settlement's inhabitants with the local population.

By the way, you can learn more about the excavations at Podymalovo-1 here:
vk.com/wall-226634666_874
vk.com/wall-226634666_880

We look forward to seeing you! The exhibition runs until December 14, 2025.

As part of the exhibition "Time Preserved in Artifacts," the "Tura-Khan" visitor center of the Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations is showcasing replicas of archaeological vessels. These reconstructions, created using authentic technologies of ancient masters from the Southern Urals, allow visitors to better understand the evolution of ceramic production from the Bronze Age to the Golden Horde era.

The replicas were made by Vadim Mukhametdinov, a specialist in ancient ceramics and head of the archaeological laboratory at Ufa State University of Science and Technology. The firing of the vessels took place during a pottery masterclass on October 12th at the visitor center's venue. Participants observed hearth firing – a traditional technique that gives the vessels a mottled coloration and reflects methods used up to the High Middle Ages.

Despite the unpredictability of this technology, the firing was successful, and the replicas have taken their places in the exhibition. According to museum staff, some visitors with experience in archaeological collections noted that they would not have been able to distinguish these reconstructions from genuine artifacts. Such a result is directly linked to the authenticity of the technologies used in the work.

"Lavka Masterov" represents a harmonious blend of ancient traditions and modern approaches. Here, artisans from various fields, from wood carving to weaving, carefully preserve and pass on the cultural heritage of Bashkortostan. Each master, whether a potter or a lace maker, puts their soul and unique style into their creations, enriching the diversity of local craft art.

Participants wove on mini-looms and took home their rugs, spun on a Russian spinning wheel, crocheted hats, or braided macrame jewelry in red tones.

It turned out interesting, with new skills and inspiration for creativity. Thank you to everyone who joined!

The lecture presented the results of a craniological study of burial series obtained during excavations (2022-2024) of the Muslim necropolis around the Tura-khan mausoleum.

It was interesting to learn from the lecture about the presence of indicators of horseback riding on the bones of the buried individuals. However, such equestrian signs are absent in Khuseinbek, who died young.

Also of interest is a healed blunt head injury in burial 2. The frontal bone was literally pushed into the cranial cavity, and the fracture from the impact spread across the entire facial skeleton, yet this did not prevent him from living for some time afterward. Such "resilience" is quite intriguing, considering that we currently know nothing about the level of medieval medicine.

Most importantly, the lecturer clearly stated that anthropology examines biological characteristics, but by no means ethnic markers. However, the study of the craniological collection still allows for a number of conclusions. When asked who was buried near the mausoleum, Vladimir Vladimirovich noted that "preliminarily, in quotes and without quotes, it can be said that the data allow us to choose between it being either a nomadic population that came from somewhere (preliminarily, according to available isotopic data, it is definitely not a local population). Or these are some Chiyalik people, but definitely not those buried in nearby burial grounds, namely in Gornovsky and Nizhnekhozyatovsky. The greatest morphological similarity is found with burials in the Syntysh-Tamak kurgan burial ground, which also belong to nomads, morphologically similar to those nomads represented in monuments of an earlier period – Mryasimov and Karayakup, Bekeshevo."

Similar morphological variants (which are present in the burials near the Tura-khan mausoleum) are found among the medieval population of southern Kazakhstan and southern Siberia. Such similarity is evidence of possible kinship ties or common origin ties, either direct connections or early connections.

Photos from the lecture: https://vk.ru/album-226634666_311358397

Recording of V.V. Kufterin's lecture: https://vk.com/wall-226634666_1368

We look forward to seeing you at future lectures – stay tuned for announcements!

Dilyara Nailevna demonstrated how scientists can uncover very interesting facts using natural science methods, specifically archaeozoology. A significant finding was the discovery of a large concentration of goshawk bones in the 2022 excavation, belonging to 26 individuals. Furthermore, both individual bones and anatomically associated bone groups (ABGs) – up to 6 bones from one individual – were identified.

This local concentration of goshawk bones is the first of its kind recorded at archaeological sites of the Golden Horde era in Russia. Birds of prey are not consumed for food, and the accumulation of their remains may indicate other uses. The archaeological potential of the settlement has not been fully explored. It is hypothesized that the study of materials from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 excavations will confirm the hypothesis of an elite occupation among the settlement's inhabitants – falconry with goshawks. In this regard, it is worth recalling that Bashkirs actively engaged in falconry until the 19th century.

The results of studying the bones of other birds also generated interest. At the Podymalovo settlement, remains of 18 species of wild birds were found, as well as 3 species of domestic birds – chicken, goose, and duck, with geese being predominant. By examining the age composition of the birds, researchers concluded that people raised domestic birds on-site. The inhabitants also hunted capercaillie, black grouse, river ducks, and grey partridge.

The diet of the settlement's inhabitants also included fish, as evidenced by the bones of various fish species such as sevruga, beluga, sterlet, crucian carp, roach, catfish, and others. The largest fish could reach lengths of 1.8 to 3 meters. Considering the distance from major waterways, the settlement's economic zone had quite extensive boundaries.

Thus, archaeozoological research of the osteological collection from the Podymalovo-1 settlement has yielded interesting and important results and outlined further plans for studying the finds from this site.

Recording of D.N. Shaimuratova's lecture: https://vk.com/wall-226634666_1372

On January 29-30, Ufa is hosting the III All-Russian Municipal Forum "Small Homeland – Strength of Russia," organized by the All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government (VARMSU). The event has brought together heads of municipalities, experts, and public representatives to share experiences in local self-government. The key theme is the economic development of territories.

As part of the forum, an investment session was held on January 28 at the "Tura-Khan" visitor center, where participants discussed strategies for attracting investors and supporting businesses. The Head of Chishminsky District, Rishat Mansurov, presented the territory's investment policy, emphasizing the focus on creating conditions for economic growth. "We strive to create favorable conditions for investment and the development of entrepreneurship. This not only contributes to economic growth but also improves the quality of life for our residents," noted Rishat Mansurov. The discussions touched upon finding new solutions for small towns and villages, as well as current issues of municipal governance.

On January 29, the program continued with presentations of district projects. Guests were shown what is already being implemented and what is planned, from the Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations project to the construction of the "Kochevnik" spa sanatorium. Irina Alekseevna Khomutova, Managing Partner of the strategic consulting company Khomutova & Partners, specializing in tourism, provided commentary on the project presentations, emphasizing the integration of historical heritage with modern investments to strengthen local communities.

Following the forum, experts noted that such combined events facilitate the exchange of practices between municipalities. Bashkortostan once again confirms its role as a center for innovation and development at the municipal level, providing a platform for dialogue and cooperation.