HORSEPOWER
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Interactions between China, Mongolia and the steppe 2000-0 BCE
Yuri Esin
Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie
“For me, Horsepower is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the role of draught animals and land transport in the culture of ancient herders in the east of Asia, as well as a key component and, at the same time, evidence of the formation of communication routes between different parts of the continent. “
Yuri is an experienced researcher of the ancient art and culture of Siberia and Mongolia
Dr Yury Esin's interest in archaeology began while still at school during visits to one of the oldest museums in Siberia, in Minusinsk. Yuri went on to head the department of archaeology at the research institute of the Republic of Khakassia and was an editor of the archaeological issue of the peer-reviewed journal Sayan-Altai Scientific Review.
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As well as working in southern Siberia, he also conducted field research in Mongolia, the north-east of the Tibetan Plateau, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
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Yuri is a renowned expert in rock art and stone stelae in the east of Eurasian Steppe; the Bronze Age in the east of Eurasian Steppe; transport and routes of communication in the east of Eurasian Steppe; clan-emblems (tamga) of Asian herders; ancient and medieval history of the Yenisei Kyrghyz; and methods for recording and interpreting ancient art.
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He's long understood the potential of rock art to be a source of information about traditional herding societies and their history, partly to compensate for the lack of written sources.