Identification of Stone Sculptures of Tuva

• Main Author: Ayana I. Kuular
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kemerovo State University 2019-07-01
• Series: Вестник Кемеровского государственного университета
• Subjects: archaeological monuments; the middle ages; history of study; fixing; documentation; adrianov a. v.
• Online Access: https://vestnik.kemsu.ru/jour/article/view/2701

The paper features some discrepancies in various publications on the Tuvan stone statues. The statues were first discovered by A. V. Adrianov in 1881 on the territory of modern Barun-Khemchik, Dzun-Khemchik and Ulug-Khem districts. Five statues represent anthropomorphic beings holding a vessel in both hands. According to L. R. Kyzlasov, this posture is peculiar to the sculptures of the Uighur period. After A.V. Adrianov, these statues were rediscovered or re-documented by other scientists. When comparing the works of A. V. Andrianov, O. H. Appelgren-Kivalo (I. R. Aspelin’s materials), C. R. Mintslov, L. A. Evtukhova, M. P. Gryaznov, and E. R. Schneider, the author revealed some discrepancies in the indication of the locations of the same statues, and the differences in their graphic representation. The author compared graphic documentation of different quality and location data to identifythe statues in the publications of these researchers. The paper introduces information on the current location of four of the five sculptures discovered by A. V. Adrianov. The article states the need for redocumentation of stone statues of Tuva by modern methods and technical means.