Mongolian archaeologists excavate rare intact ancient mummy

A rare intact ancient mummy has been excavated from a grave in the remote western Mongolian province of Khovd, a researcher with the Khovd Museum told Xinhua on Wednesday.

Byambasuren Sumbaa said the mummy, believed to be around 1,500 years old, is now kept in the museum for further study.

The gender of the mummy has yet to be identified, but initial signs indicated it probably was a female from a noble family, according to Sumbaa.

Earlier this month, local archaeologists also excavated complete sets of saddles and bridles, clay vases, wooden bowls, metal kettles and sacrificed horses from the grave, which were in a rock cavity at an altitude of 2,803 meters in Munkhkhairkhan county.

Sumbaa said the excavation of the grave will contribute significantly to the study of how ancient people lived as well as ancient rituals associated with death and mourning.

The grave site was first found in 2010 by local herders. Last October, local archaeologists conducted a field expedition there and decided to start a rescue excavation this April.

The grave is now registered in the list of memorials to be protected urgently by the Mongolian government. Endi