THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF EURASIAN NOMADS Educational Field Program MONGOLIA: Southern Bulgan Province

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1 THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF EURASIAN NOMADS Educational Field Program MONGOLIA: Southern Bulgan Province ESSENTIAL PROGRAM INFORMATION Dates: July 22 nd through 30 th Application Deadline: June 20 th Full Contribution Deadline: July 1 st Program Contact: Participant Requirements: csen.field.programs@gmail.com No previous experience required Participant Contribution: $1,490 Previous travel or wilderness experience a plus (tax-deductible when made to CSEN) Number of Participants: 4-10 Acceptance Type: Rolling notification 1 PROGRAM OVERVIEW The southern region of Bulgan Province between the Tuul and Orkhon rivers is home to numerous ruins, graves, and monuments of modern, medieval, and ancient Mongolia that shape the movements of nomadic families herding sheep, goat, horse, cattle, and camels across sand dunes, rocky hills, and rolling steppe. In the center of this landscape is the Elst Ar site, a cemetery of the first empire in Inner Asia that is the focus of ongoing archaeological research conducted by the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. This 9-day educational program in Bulgan Province will incorporate archaeological field research, academic instruction and lectures, cultural engagement, outdoor activities, and adventurous backcountry reconnaissance in order for participants to gain a multi-faceted, meaningful understanding of the Land of Eternal Blue Heaven. 1 Full participant contribution will not be due until the minimum number of participants (4) have been accepted. All participants will be notified of final program status before July 1 st. 1

2 About the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads The Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads (CSEN) is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization founded by Dr. Jeannine Davis-Kimball in Since its foundation, CSEN has supported international collaborative research, scholarly publications, and educational field programs in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and from the broader Eurasian steppe. More information about programming, publications, and academic ventures may be found at the organization s website (csen.org). Horse herd: rock art in Suujiin Valley, Bulgan Province Table of Contents Program Schedule Program Map 5 Participant Contribution Program Staff Health and Safety..7-9 Travel Information In the Field List of Required & Recommended Items Suggested Readings Application Form Release/Assumption of Risk Form Code of Conduct Form

3 Program Schedule 2 July 21 st : Arrival Program participants arrive in Ulaanbaatar and are met by a program representative, who will escort them to overnight accommodations. July 22 nd (Day 1) : Introduction to the history and religions of Mongolia Our team heads to Gandan monastery for morning services, then to the National Museum of Mongolia for an expert-led tour through Mongolia s prehistory, history, traditional culture, and modern politics. After lunch, Dr. Erdenebold will give us a private lecture at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. In the afternoon our team will depart the capital for the east bank of the Tuul River, where we will explore and camp near earthwork medieval ruins. Our field instructors will begin the program-long hands-on educational training for all participants, to be expanded at each archaeological site and ethnographic context our team explores. July 23 rd (Day 2) : Camel riding and Khungun Khan Buddhist monastery After breakfast at basecamp, our team will scout the remaining earthen walled sites on the east bank of the Tuul River, then travel towards the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes in southwestern Bulgan Province. We will have lunch and visit with the family of camel herders who will lead us on camelback through the dunes, departing in the early afternoon for the Buddhist monastery Khungun Khan. Khungun Khan is located in the red rock hills of the a national protected area, which itself is home to elusive mountain goats (yangir), large raptors, and the Ikh Khan Uul ovoo worship site. Our team will observe at the ovoo site and examine nearby ancient memorial sites that constitute this sacred landscape. July 24 th (Day 3) : Archaeology of Suujiin Valley Our team will conduct reconnaissance in the main floodplain and adjacent hills, where previous research has revealed archaeological sites from a variety of time periods: Bronze Age khirigsuur complexes, Xiongnu/Khunnu imperial cemeteries and low earthen walls, and multi-period rock art panels. July 25 th (Day 4) : Archaeology of Sumyn Am and backcountry survey Survey the Sumyn Am dale, where the ruins of a Buddhist monastery are flanked by Bronze Age burials, rock art, and other features. After lunch we will travel over the fells to 2 The field program schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions, unforeseeable events, and the discretion of field instructors. The current schedule is a guideline rather than a strict itinerary. Unless otherwise noted, all program team members will overnight in tents at temporary basecamps each night. 3

4 the west, reconnoitering through sparsely-populated backcountry search of undocumented archaeological sites. July 26 th (Day 5) : Medieval Mongolia and the Elst Ar site Come down out of the hills to the plain near Khar Bukhyn Balgas, a medieval-period fortress ruins with stacked rock construction and an associated Buddhist stupa built before the time of Chinggis Khan. In the afternoon we will arrive at our basecamp site for the next few days of pedestrian survey, archaeological exploration, and ethnographic interactions with local herding families near the Elst Ar site. July 27 th through July 29 th (Days 6, 7, 8) : Archaeology and ethnography of the western Tuul River floodplain In the mornings we will conduct pedestrian survey around the Elst Ar site. Survey aims to characterize the landscape around the Xiongnu/Khunnu cemetery at Elst Ar in terms of archaeological features from other time periods, settlements from the Xiongnu/Hunnu period, and overall topography and ecology. After lunch each day, we will visit a nearby site of historical significance and/or a local nomadic family. Sites include: late medieval fortress ruins of Tsogt Taij, the Turk imperial underground tomb (now famously on exhibit at the Kharkhorin Museum), and the medieval site of Chin Tolgoi. During this three-day period, we will arrange for some horseback riding on the steppe with local herders and keep our ears open for any community festivals or events that we can attend in the area. On our final night at the Elst Ar basecamp, we will have a traditional steppe barbeque (khorkhog) and open our celebration to locals who have been friendly with us. July 30 th (Day 9) : Return to Ulaanbaatar Today we journey back to Ulaanbaatar after breaking camp and visiting the medieval earthwork ruins on the west bank of the Tuul River. In Ulaanbaatar we will have a farewell dinner to celebrate the successful completion of the program. Participants will stay overnight in a guesthouse unless they have made other arrangements. July 31 st : Departure A program driver will be available to take all participants to the airport or train station today for their departure from Mongolia. Participants are encouraged to extend their time in Mongolia after the end of the program, although they will have to make their own plans. 4

5 Map of key program locations in Central Mongolia Participant Contribution The participant contribution of $1,490 to the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, for 2015 educational field programming is tax-deductible. Your contribution will cover expenses for the following: - Accommodations in Ulaanbaatar on the nights of July 21 st and 30 th (shared guesthouse rooming; if you would like to upgrade your Ulaanbaatar accommodations to a private guesthouse room or a hotel at additional cost, please let us know well in advance) - July 21 st pick-up and July 31 st drop-off at Buyant-Ukh/Chinggis Khan International Airport or the Ulaanbaatar train station - Support staff and field instructors for the duration of the program - All entrance fees for museums, temples, and other sites visited as part of the program schedule - A private lecture in Ulaanbaatar by Dr. Erdenebold, a distinguished archaeologist and professor at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology - All program-related transportation costs - Three meals a day during the program (including the farewell dinner in Ulaanbaatar) - Outdoor activities (e.g., horseback riding, hiking, camel riding, local festival participation) - Program equipment rental - Visits to nomadic families in rural Mongolia 5

6 ***Participant contribution does not cover: international airfare, activities beyond the program dates, personal purchases, alcohol, upgraded Ulaanbaatar accommodations, health or travel insurance, or any expenses not directly related to this 9-day program and its itinerary. Contact the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads for further clarification*** Archaeological survey in Suujiin Valley, Bulgan Province Program Staff FIELD INSTRUCTORS Emma HITE (M.A.) is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Chicago and a Fulbright-Hays Fellow conducting dissertation research on the Elst Ar site. Ms. Hite specializes in bioarchaeology, zooarchaeology, and archaeological theory. A Seattle native, she has been working in Mongolia since Vanchigdash CHULUUNKHUU (M.A.) is a lecturer at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology and a doctoral candidate at the National University of Mongolia. Mr. Chuluunkhuu supervises the Ancient Technologies Research Center and specializes in physical anthropology. He is a native of Zavkhan Province and has previously conducted fieldwork at the Elst Ar site. 6

7 GUEST LECTURER Dr. Erdenebold is a professor at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. A distinguished archaeologist, Dr. Erdenebold has led numerous field expeditions throughout Mongolia and serves on the national archaeological field research supervising committee. He specializes in the archaeology of medieval Mongolia and ceramic analysis. SUPPORT STAFF Our field instructors will be assisted by Mongolian support staff tailored for the needs of the program team. The staff will at a minimum include a cook and a driver. Additional support staff, such as a Mongolian program assistant and more drivers, will join our team if necessary. The program s support staff is responsible for the well-being and daily needs of the team. PROGRAM LANGUAGE The Southern Bulgan Province field program s official language is English. However, our Mongolian support staff and the local community members will have little or no English-language communication skills. The field instructors together can carry out most necessary translation but program participants should be comfortable traveling, working, and socializing in contexts where English is not spoken. Part of the cultural immersion that comes with field experiences involves being comfortable with gaps in understanding and miscommunications. Our program staff will provide some basic Mongolian language instruction so that participants can engage more meaningfully with the staff and community members. Participants can acquire introductory Mongolian skills greetings, simple phrases, key vocabulary through the course of the program. Moreover, in all ethnographic encounters, good will and a positive attitude are much more important than language skills. Health and Safety ULAANBAATAR While in Ulaanbaatar, please stay with the CSEN team and let the program staff know if you plan to conduct any activities separate from the group or the program itinerary. Travelers are regularly targeted for pickpocketing, robbery, and scams in the city. There are some issues with anti-foreigner sentiments in Ulaanbaatar, particularly after dark or from drunks (alcoholism is a serious problem in Mongolia), and it can be difficult to predict how serious or risky an encounter is before it is too late. Our program staff will be happy to provide you with tips and instructions to increase the chance that your time in Ulaanbaatar 7

8 will be pleasant and uneventful. However, the best strategy is to stay with the group at all times. Bactrian camel train in Elsen Tasarkhai: one way of staying with the group! IN THE FIELD Access to healthcare in rural Mongolia is very limited and medical care quality in Mongolia is not comparable to that in the US. Minor problems will be dealt with as well as possible by program staff and field instructors. Program participants need to bring some supplies with them: Band-Aids of all sizes, antibacterial disinfectant (Neosporin, iodine wipes), Ibuprofen (or comparable), Tums, Pepto-Bismol tablets, Imodium, insect repellant, Aloe gel, and any prescriptions and personal healthcare items that you made need for the entirety of your time in Mongolia. Please consult the List of Required and Recommended Items for more on this subject. More serious problems and injuries will be stabilized as best as possible until the injured party can be transported back to Ulaanbaatar. All program participants must have Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage for the duration of the program. Proof of Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage must be presented to one of the field instructors on the first day of the program. Any participant who fails to present appropriate proof will forfeit their contribution and be dismissed from the program. This policy is for your own safety, health, and well-being. Mongolian healthcare providers usually do not accept foreign insurance coverage. You will need to discuss the 8

9 particulars of your situation with your health insurance provider so that you know what would be involved if you needed emergency or regular medical care in Mongolia. This is your responsibility to organize and pay; CSEN, the field instructors, and Mongolian support staff will assist you but the program and CSEN are not liable for any accident, injury, or illness you suffer as a program participant. Please consult the CSEN 2015 field program Waiver (Release/Assumption of Risk form) for more information about insurance and health issues. Travel Information International travel and any trips not specifically included in the 2015 CSEN field program in Mongolia are not covered by the program contribution. If you are delayed at any point during your travel to Mongolia, please contact the CSEN and/or program staff via e- mail and/or phone. We will provide you with emergency contact numbers before you leave for Mongolia. IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTH WARNINGS Mongolia does not officially require foreigners to present any verification of immunizations for entry into the country. Mongolia s extreme continental climate means that most of the more dangerous infectious diseases transmitted by insect/pest, air, food, and/or drink are not an issue. The programs recommends but does not require the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A&B, rabies, tetanus, typhoid, and diphtheria. Program participants should consult their healthcare provider and the Center for Disease Control ( for more information about health and medical issues related to their participation in the 2015 field program. AIR TRAVEL Flying is the easiest way to get to Mongolia. Flights from Beijing, Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Moscow arrive and depart from the Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport in Ulaanbaatar. There are no direct flights from the Americas or Western Europe to Mongolia at this time. Check with your airline company about baggage fees (some airlines require you to pick up and re-check your bags in your connecting city), transfer policies, and visa requirements for your city/cities of transit. A program representative will meet you at the airport in Ulaanbaatar after you ve gone through passport control and claimed your baggage. After you claim your baggage, do not leave the waiting area or your bags, and do not go with anyone unless they are a project representative and/or a Mongolian official. You will have the cell phone contact information 9

10 for our program staff should you need to contact us while at the airport in Ulaanbaatar. We encourage you to pack your passport and an emergency set of items (change of clothing, toiletries, your money, etc.) in your carry-on luggage or on your person (whichever is safer) in the event that your checked luggage gets lost. OTHER OPTIONS Travelers can reach Ulaanbaatar by train from Beijing or via the Trans-Siberian railway. These options are more time-consuming but worthwhile if you are up for an adventure. Please notify program staff well in advance if you do not intend to fly to Mongolia so that we can plan to pick you up at the main passenger train station in Ulaanbaatar. A Russian or Chinese visa is required for US citizens traveling via train, depending on the route; please plan accordingly. GETTING AROUND ULAANBAATAR A program representative will be available to pick you up at the airport the day before your program starts and drop you off at the project guesthouse/apartment in Ulaanbaatar. If you decide to arrive in Mongolia more than 24 hours before the program starts, you will need to let us know and make your own arrangements to join up with the team on the evening before the program starts. Downtown Ulaanbaatar is traversable on foot and is also served by buses, trolleybuses, and taxis. As noted previously, program participants will not have a lot of time to explore the city on their own before our team conducts first day activities (Gandan monastery visit, guided tour of the National Museum of Mongolia, and lecture by Dr. Erdenebold) and heads out to the field. You are advised to stay with the program team or other participants if you want to explore Ulaanbaatar. Be prepared for delays and difficult traffic conditions when traveling in, out of, and through Ulaanbaatar by car or bus. FIELD LOGISTICS Our team will travel in 4-wheel drive vehicles, depending on the size of our group, on a combination of poorly-maintained paved roads, dirt tracks, and off-road in Mongolian backcountry. There is some decent paved road leading out of Ulaanbaatar but expect difficult traffic while getting out of the city and rough road (or off-road) conditions after a certain point. Riding in program vehicles is not particularly comfortable, especially when going offroad, so be prepared for a bumpy ride. Those prone to carsickness are recommended to take precautions. 10

11 VISAS US citizens do not need a Visa to stay in Mongolia for 90 days or less. US citizens staying longer than 30 days in Mongolia must register with Mongolian Immigration. Please bear this in mind when planning your participant in the CSEN program. If you are not a US citizen, it is your responsibility to look up the Visa requirements for your country of citizenship as they apply to Mongolia. There are no citizenship requirements to participate in the CSEN field program. IN THE FIELD The Southern Bulgan Province field program involves living in scrub-desert, mixed scrub-steppe, and steppe environments over the course of 9 days (8 nights in tents). Fieldwork in rural Mongolia is rewarding but challenging, as plans and conditions can change, for better or for worse, at the drop of a hat. A positive, flexible outlook is essential for all volunteers! Volunteers should be in good physical condition and prepared to undertake a variety of physical tasks related to archaeological research and life at basecamp while remaining in good spirits. Emma Hite, our US field instructor, has previously worked with international volunteers and participants ranging from senior citizens to first-year college students on previous archaeological and other field projects in Mongolia; her experience is that a volunteer s a cheerful attitude and a good work ethic are far more valuable than their physical prowess or previous experience. We want everyone involved to have a positive experience this summer. 11

12 BASECAMP During the majority of their program participation, volunteers will live in temporary program basecamps set up along our route through rural Mongolia along with the rest of the program team (field instructors and Mongolian support staff). Field conditions in rural Mongolia are beautiful but rugged, as the project is located a considerable distance from any towns, permanent infrastructure, or utilities services. Weather is unpredictable and volunteers should be prepared for the extremes of all four seasons. Please consult the List of Required and Recommended Items, as this list will be your best guide to proper preparation for your time in the program. SLEEPING Participants should plan to bring their own tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping mats for camping; however, they may also rent this equipment here in Mongolia for the duration of the program. Our program can secure these rental items for you but they are very likely to be of lower quality than what you can bring with you. Temperature in Mongolia fluctuates rapidly from night to day, even during the height of summer, and our area may experience high winds, rainstorms. During the height of summer, snow and frost are not unheard of during a cold snap. Mongolia is known as the Land of Blue Sky and Mongolians consider themselves blessed by Eternal Blue Heaven. The brilliant blue sky and glorious cloud formations are as beautiful as the sunlight is intense. While Mongolia is generally quite arid, July and August fall during the rainy season. We recommend that you bring a tent that can withstand high winds and heavy rain. While you may get too hot during the day, your sleeping bag should be able to withstand the cold and you should have a decent sleeping pad to insulate you from the ground. Just because it is summer doesn t mean that it won t get very cold, especially at night! We strongly urge you to bring enough clothing to deal with all extremes and types of weather. You should bring at least one set of thermals or long underwear, cold weather hat and gloves, socks of both thin and heavy weight, sweaters or Polar Fleece zip-ups, long pants, a rain slicker or poncho, and other clothes for layering. Layering is the key to dealing with Mongolia s temperamental weather! Please consult the List of Required and Recommended Items for more details. EATING AND DRINKING Our program cook will prepare, serve, and clean up after three meals a day, from staples of the traditional Mongolian diet: mutton or goat, rice, noodles, and potatoes, supplemented with vegetables. However, as members of a field team, everyone is expected to 12

13 help with camp duties when asked. Prospective program participants with special dietary requirements should consult with us during the application process. Program participants are encouraged to bring some favorite spices and seasonings from home (like A-1 sauce or curry powder) to liven up camp meals. Bringing some favorite snacks and treats from home is a great idea: dried fruit, peanut butter, Nutella, hard candy, powdered drink flavoring, and other small, light items will improve your experience in the field. Tums and multi-vitamins, though more medicinal, will help you adjust to a different diet. All program participants will share communal utensils, dishes, bowls, and cups. You may bring a personal set with you, but don t be surprised if others use it or parts go missing (the nature of communal living!). There may be opportunities to buy snacks and cold drinks from small towns as our team travels across the countryside. Milking mares during airagproducing season in Bulgan Province When visiting the homes and festivals of local herders, you may be fortunate enough to be offered samples of traditional Mongolian cuisine, such as aruul (sweet hardened cheese curds), suutei tsai ( milky tea the recipe varies by region and household), uruum (cooked cream spread), and airag (fermented mare s milk, a particular specialty of the project s region). Our field instructors will educate program participants on the relevant etiquette and traditions before each visit, but participants are expected to politely sample and praise the home-cooking of our generous Mongolian hosts. 13

14 Mongolia is an arid country. The program will draw its water from wells and rivers along its route for cooking, cleaning, and drinking. Participants are strongly recommended to bring a personal water purification system with them from home: a filtration pump, water purification tablets, and at least one sealable container that can hold over 1L of water. The program will provide bottled water to all participants and staff, but this process increases the amount of waste our team leaves in local communities and CSEN aims to make as little impact on the ecosystem as possible. Thus, the more water that we can draw from wells and rivers and purify for ourselves, the better. Staying hydrated is hugely important, especially while working under the hot summer sun. You need to drink at least 3 liters of water every day, likely more if it s particularly hot or you ve been particularly active (pedestrian survey, horseback riding). The meat in our diet will come primarily from goat and sheep purchased from local herders, which will be slaughtered and butchered by our Mongolian staff with the help of these locals. These animals lead free-range, all-natural lives and their meat should be appreciated. If you are uncomfortable with animal slaughter, butchery, or seeing parts of an animal hanging to dry, you should reconsider your plan to join the program. These activities and sights are a fundamental reality of the mobile pastoral lifeway in modern Mongolia, so you may see them at basecamp, during visits to the homes of local herders, or during other program activities. As a participant in a CSEN program, you will be expected to keep any negative reactions or opinions to these and other aspects of Mongolian life yourself in order not to offend or upset our Mongolian staff and hosts. The Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads is committed to positive, ethical relations with the local communities involved in any of our programs, and as program team members, participants will act accordingly FACILITIES Clean is a relative term. Fieldwork and adventuring involve getting dirty and being comfortable with few amenities, lower standards of cleanliness, and breaking out of your normal routine. All of this will be especially true for our time in rural Mongolia. Most days our team will have no access to major water sources; there should be opportunities to bathe in the Tuul River July 27 th through 29 th if so desired. There will be no plumbing once our program leaves Ulaanbaatar. Our team will have opportunities to bathe in rivers and lakes upon occasion, but not daily. Bring a swimsuit, sandals, biodegradable and environment-friendly soap, a towel, and other personal hygiene supplies (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, moisturizing lotion, chapstick: see the List of Required and Recommended Items) as necessary. 14

15 Facilities in rural Mongolia include: pit toilets with varying degrees of privacy and steppe toilets (a convenient spot far from others). In addition to other personal supplies, volunteers are encouraged to bring soft toilet paper from home and travel-sized containers of hand sanitizer, Handi-wipes, facial wipes, and Kleenex. Those who are overly modest or concerned about cleanliness are encouraged to think hard about the realities of fieldwork and travel in Mongolia. ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS Program participants should not bring any electronic items that cannot be powered by batteries, as there will be no available electrical source at basecamp or within the project area. Bring enough batteries to power your personal devices, especially your flashlight. Please also include some extra batteries (AA and AAA) for emergencies and to share with other project participants. You may wish to bring a solar charger for your batteries or electronics, as many local herders in the area power their TV sets and charge their cell phones in this way. There is neither internet access nor reliable cell phone reception within the project area. Our program participants can make calls from county seats, but these are several hours away by car and international calling rates apply. Program participants should not count on communicating with the outside world while on the project. Khar Bukhyn Balgas, the ruins of a medieval fortress in Bulgan Province HEALTH AND PERSONAL COMFORT IN THE FIELD All program participants will need to wear good supportive footwear while in the field to protect their feet, stay warm and dry, and to make outdoor activities easier. Reconnaissance and survey may require walking up to 5 miles a day over uneven, sometimes 15

16 hilly terrain while carrying some items (at least 1L of water, personal supplies, field notebook) in your daypack. Field expeditions in rural Mongolia require decent physical condition and include a regular amount of activity, but having a good attitude is much more important than being in good shape. Those with chronic health problems or medical concerns should consult CSEN and their physician for their own safety and comfort before joining the program. As noted elsewhere, the weather is extremely variable in Mongolia but intense sunlight and hot days are the norm during summer time. In a steppe environment there is no natural shade or cover from the sun. Thus, a brimmed hat is required and sunglasses, lightweight, light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants are highly recommended. Volunteers must bring and wear adequate amounts of sunscreen (SPF 30+) in addition to staying hydrated throughout the day. Animals are an important part of nomadic life in rural Mongolia. People with a fear of animals are discouraged from attending, as herd animals and dogs roam free in rural Mongolia and occasionally through basecamp. All program participants will be respectful and polite when local herders drop by for unannounced visits as good relations with our hosts and neighbors is a key part of the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomad s philosophy. Our team will have opportunities to engage with these animals several times during the program. These may horseback riding, camel riding, helping to herd sheep and goat, milking mares, and perhaps holding young livestock. None of these activities are required and team members undertake them at their own risk (see the Release/Assumption of Risk form in the application). If at any time you feel uncomfortable with a program activity or event, please let the field instructors and Mongolian staff know so that they can make changes accordingly. FIELD ACTIVITIES Reconnaissance and Pedestrian Survey Our team will take a variety of approaches to discovering, identifying, and documenting sites of archaeological, historical, and/or cultural significance in southern Bulgan Province. The field instructors will teach participants all methods necessary to carry out these tasks, provide detailed information about the cultures, historical periods, and belief systems relevant to each site, and lead the actual fieldwork. Visits to Nomadic Families Families in the countryside primarily live in traditional Mongolian ger. Our field instructors and Mongolian staff will introduce proper Mongolian and ger etiquette, basic useful greetings and phrases in Mongolian, and other pertinent topics to all participants before and during these visits. Spending time with local families is one of the most enjoyable 16

17 and authentic ways to learn about Mongolian culture. The team s time with local nomadic families will be our primary mode of ethnographic learning and experience. Guests arriving at a family s ger are traditionally offered some snacks and drinks and guests in turn offer something for the family. We recommend that you bring candy, gum, or small treats as a guest gift to the family, although our program staff will have a small store of these as well. These visits are contingent upon the availability and receptiveness of local herding families. Most importantly, program participants are expected to be on their best behavior during home visits. Optional Activities Our program participants will ride Bactrian camels in the sand dunes at Elsen Tasarkhai and horses owned by local herders on the steppe near the Elst Ar site. These activities are wonderful opportunities for fun and adventure. Hiking and swimming apart from the program s main schedule will be available a few times during the 9 days in the field. Festivals Organized by Local Communities Summer is Naadam season, the main summer holiday in Mongolia, celebrated in Ulaanbaatar this year from July 11 th 13 th. Naadam traditionally includes the Three Manly Sports wrestling, archery, and horse-racing some of which we may see at local Naadam celebrations in Bulgan Province. This time of year there are also small airag (fermented mare s milk) festivals and horse races held throughout rural Mongolia. These events are rare opportunities for foreigners to experience rural community life in Mongolia and celebrate the best of summer with our generous hosts and neighbors. Most such events are rarely publicized and therefore we cannot guarantee which events we will attend, if any. However, our program will take every opportunity to engage with Mongolian culture and will alter the program schedule in order to accommodate possibilities for such once-in-a-lifetime events. Two adjacent khirigsuur Bronze-Age monuments (southern Bulgan Province) 17

18 LIST OF REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED ITEMS Required Items In the event that a CSEN field program participant does not have the Required Items by the date stipulated below, the participant will have to withdraw from the project and forfeit his/her contribution. This policy is for the safety and well-being of the participant, as it will be an extreme hardship or even impossible to participate in the Southern Bulgan Province program without the Required Items. Please contact us with your questions before leaving for Mongolia (csen.field.programs@gmail.com). With your final and full contribution to CSEN -Proof of medical insurance coverage for duration of project participation that specifically includes Emergency Medical Evacuation -Signed project Waiver (Release/Assumption of Risk form) -Signed volunteer Code of Conduct July 22 nd -Tent that can withstand high winds, rainstorms -Sleeping bag (warm enough for temperatures below 32F) -Sleeping mat (suitable for your sleeping bag) ***Participants may rent a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat from a CSEN affiliate company in Mongolia for the duration of the program. However, you must let us know well in advance if you decide to rent this equipment so that CSEN staff can obtain it in time for the program start-date. CSEN and program staff cannot guarantee that the quality of these items will meet individual standards, although they should be serviceable for a 9-day field program*** -At least one water bottle or sealable container that can hold at least 1L of water -Flashlight -Close-toed shoes for fieldwork (hiking boots, steel-toed work boots, etc.) -Hat with brim for protection from sun -Rain slicker/poncho with hood -Adequate clothing (see Recommendations below and be prepared for all possible weather conditions!) -Small daypack 18

19 -Field notebook and writing implements for taking notes, recording data, and keeping a personal journal during the program -Any personal medications or prescriptions that you are currently taking or will need while in the field; you will not be able to get them in Mongolia -Sunscreen (SPF 30 minimum) -Additional personal supplies (see Recommendations below) Recommended Items These recommendations are based on the personal experiences of Western volunteers on previous archaeological expeditions in Mongolia. Many of the items listed below are Required Items for most participants but your individual mileage may vary. Use your judgment when preparing for your time in Mongolia, as this list is not intended to be exhaustive. We want our team to have the best possible experience in Mongolia this summer; you will have a much better time if you re properly dressed and equipped! Do not count on being able to borrow the items listed below from other program participants or necessarily being able to purchase them in Ulaanbaatar. Please contact us before you leave for Mongolia if you have any questions. -Water purification system filter and/or tablets, bottle(s) that hold a combined minimum of 3 liters. This will help cut down on waste associated with buying bottled water in rural Mongolia. The program will purchase and supply drinking water for all participants, but it is always advisable to have a personal back-up system for convenience and environmental impact reduction. -Field research supplies (optional): personal GPS unit, clipboard, compass, camera -Field mess kit: bowl, spoon, fork, and cup that will get put into rotation in the kitchen tent. The cup should be able to handle hot liquids. These items do not have to be high-quality CLOTHING: -Field wear: 1) full-length canvas or khaki pants for project work (at least 2 pairs) 2) old men s dress shirts in light colors to wear for project against sun and dirt 3) hiking socks -For hot weather: 1) short-sleeved shirts and/or tank tops 2) shorts 3) sandals for relaxing at basecamp and bathing in the river -For cold(er) weather: 1) long-sleeved shirts 2) thermals or long underwear 19

20 -Other: 1) sunglasses 2) bathing suit 3) bandanas or kerchiefs 3) polar fleece or wool sweaters 4) gloves and hat PERSONAL: -Protective: -Medicinal: 1) insect repellant 2) Chapstick with SPF 1) pain relief (Ibuprofen, Advil) 2) digestive (Tums, Pepto-Bismol tablets) 3) antibiotics personal Rx for Ciprofloxacin 4) cuts and scrapes (Band-Aids of all sizes, Neosporin, antiseptic/antibacterial wipes) 5) personal First-Aid kit (which may contain much of the above) -Personal hygiene: 1) personal soap, deodorant 2) shampoo and conditioner 3) pads, tampons 4) toilet paper (the program will supply basic TP but you may prefer to bring softer stuff from home) 5) travel packs of Kleenex 6) liquid hand sanitizer (keep in mind that water is usually unavailable for hand-washing in the Mongolian countryside) 7) travel packs of Wet Wipes 8) moisturizer (hand, face, body do not underestimate the aridity of Central Mongolia!) 9) toothpaste, toothbrush, floss 10) hairbrush or comb 11) towel (a quick-drying travel towel is preferable) -Other toiletries as needed OTHER: -Immunizations: Hepatitis A&B, Typhoid, Rabies. The Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads recommends but does not require any vaccinations or immunizations for participation this summer. However, you should consult with your healthcare specialist and the CDC for more information ( -Electronics: 1) camera 2) MP3 player 3) batteries for any electronic devices 4) portable solar charger 5) travel alarm clock 20

21 -Financial 3 : -Other: 1) secure travel purse or wallet 2) ATM card, preferably VISA: you should be able to withdraw Mongolian tugrug from ATM in downtown Ulaanbaatar. It is not possible to purchase Mongolian tugrug in the US at this time. 3) 1-2 crisp new $100 bills: if you choose not to bring an ATM card, bring one or two new, crisp $100 bills to exchange. An old, wrinkled, and or tattered $100 bill will be rejected by both Mongolian banks and money changers! 1) favorite snacks, especially candy, from home to share 2) candy, gum, or stickers to give as a guest present to local herding families and their children Ruins of the original Ikh Khan Uul/Khungun Khan Buddhist monastery and post-1990 rebuilding efforts 3 To be on the safe side, you may wish to bring both $100 bills and an ATM card with you to Mongolia. You may need Mongolian tugrug in case of emergency. Moreover, you may wish to have a small amount of spending cash for personal expenses, souvenirs, and treats not covered by the program (i.e., candy, snacks, drinks, etc. bought in small towns in the countryside, alcohol). You will not be able to change money outside of Ulaanbaatar or reliable use an ATM or credit card 21

22 Program Suggested Readings ***There are no required readings for the 2015 Southern Bulgan Province program*** Interested participants may wish to consult the following scholarly sources in order to enhance their experience in the field. All sources are in English. Allard, F., & Erdenebaatar, D., Khirigsuurs, ritual and mobility in the Bronze Age of Mongolia. Antiquity 79, Allsen, T.T., Spiritual Geography and Political Legitimacy in the Eastern Steppe. In: Ideology and the formation of early states, pp Barfield, T., The Perilous Frontier: Nomadic Empires and China. Basil Blackwell, Oxford and Cambridge, MA. Biran, M., The Mongol Empire in World History: The State of the Field. History Compass 11/11, Brosseder, U., & Miller, B.K., Xiongnu Archaeology: Multidisciplinary Perspectives of the First Steppe Empire in Inner Asia. Bonn Contributions to Asian Archaeology, Vol. 5. Vor- und Frühgeschichtlich Archäologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany. Charlier, B., Faces of the Wolf: Managing the Human, Non-Human Boundary in Mongolia. Brill. Davydova, A.V., The Ivolga gorodishche: a monument of the Hiung-nu culture in the Trans-Baikal region. Acta Archaeologica Scientiarum Hungaricae 20, Di Cosmo, N., Ancient Inner Asian nomads: their economic basis and its significance in Chinese history. Journal of Asian Studies 53(4), Di Cosmo, N., State formation and periodization in Inner Asian history. Journal of World History 10 (1), Di Cosmo, N., Ancient China and its Enemies: The Rise of Nomadic Power in East Asian History. Cambridge University Press. Frachetti, M., Pastoralist Landscapes and Social Interaction in Bronze Age Eurasia. University of California Press. Fijn, N., Living with Herds: Human-Animal Coexistence in Mongolia. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Hanks, B., Archaeology of the Eurasian steppes and Mongolia. Annual Review of Anthropology 39, Honeychurch, W., Amartuvshin, Ch., States on Horseback: The Rise of Inner Asian Confederations and Empires. In: Archaeology of Asia. Blackwell Publishing, MA. pp Honeychurch, W., The nomad as state builder: historical theory and material evidence from Mongolia. Journal of World Prehistory 26, Jacobson-Tepfer, E., The Rock Art of Mongolia. The Silk Road 4 (1: Summer 2006), Park, J.-S., Eregzen, G., Yeruul-Erdene, Ch., Technological traditions inferred from artefacts of the Xiongnu Empire in Mongolia. Journal of Archaeological Science 37, Rogers, J.D., Inner Asian states and empires: theories and synthesis. Journal of Archaeological Research 20, Rogers, J.D., Erdenebat, U., Gallon, M., Urban centres and the emergence of empires in Eastern Inner 22

23 Asia. Antiquity 79, Sima Qian [Watson, B., 1993]. Chapter 110: the account of the Xiongnu. In: Shi ji [Records of the Grand Historian]. Columbia University Press, New York. Skaff, J.K., Honeychurch, W., Empire building before the Mongols: legacies of the Türks and Uyghurs. In: Genghis Khan and the Mongol empire, pp Sneath, D., The Headless State: Aristocratic Orders, Kinship Society, & Misrepresentations of Nomadic Inner Asia. Columbia Press, NY. Tumen, D., Navaan, D., & Erdene, M., Archaeology of the Mongolian period: a brief introduction. The Silk Road 4 (1), Waugh, D., Nomads and settlement: new perspectives in the archaeology of Mongolia. The Silk Road 8, Sunset north of Khungun Khan monastery in southern Bulgan Province 23

24 2015 APPLICATION FORM INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Fill out the Volunteer and Medical Information sections of this form 2) Complete the Short Response ( words) either by typing into this form or attaching them as a separate file 3) Submit a recent photograph of yourself (jpeg format preferred) 4) Include your full name on all application materials 5) Make the check to: CSEN and write: 2015 Southern Bulgan Province program deposit in the Subject/Detail line. In the event that you are not accepted as a participant or that the program is cancelled, your deposit will be fully refunded. Mail your $250 deposit and a copy of the Participant Information section of your application to: Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads c/o Jeannine Davis-Kimball, PhD 2158 Palomar Ave Ventura, CA ***The Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads prefers to receive contributions as checks. However, if this is a problem, funds can be transferred via PayPal. If you use PayPal there will be an additional charge of $7.55 to cover the cost of PayPal for the $250 deposit and an additional $54 for the $1,240 remaining due. Therefore, if paying via PayPal, the deposit cost is $ and the final payment is $1, These additional PayPal charges cannot be refunded in the event of an applicant s rejection or program cancellation*** 6) your completed application form and all attached documents to: csen.field.programs@gmail.com If you are accepted into the CSEN 2015 field program in Mongolia, you will need to pay the remaining program contribution ($1,240) by July 1 st, Funds must be received by this date. Please add five days from posting your check for regular USPS delivery. Signed copies of the Volunteer Waiver (Release/Assumption of Risk form: page 5) and the Code of Conduct (pages 6-9) will be due by July 1 st. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. DEADLINES June 20 th, 2015: application and $250 deposit ($ if paying via PayPal) July 1 st, 2015: remaining program contribution ($1,240) ($1,294 if paying via PayPal) Please let the CSEN know if you have any questions about the application form, necessary attached documents, or the application process. We prefer to contact you by (csen.field.programs@gmail.com). Please notify us if your address changes after you have submitted an application. 24

25 1. Participant Information First name: Middle name: Last name: Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY) 4 : Citizenship: Current address: City: State/Province: Country: Zip/Postal code: Mailing address if different from above: Home phone: Work phone: Mobile: address: Social Security Number: Driver s License: Sex: Height: Weight: Passport number: Type: Expiration date: Employer or school: Address of employer/school: Emergency contact Name: Relationship: 4 Program participants aged must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian. CSEN field programs do not accept applications from children under the age of 12. There is no maximum age limit for participants; enthusiasm, attitude, and overall health are more important than numerical age. 25

26 Telephone: Address: Contact number for employer/school: If retired or unemployed, former employer s or most recent school s contact information: Any additional pertinent information (hobbies, personal interests, profession, technical skills, degrees held, etc.): How did you hear about our program? Please check all that apply: CSEN website (csen.org) AIA AFOB CSEN Facebook page CSEN Twitter account University website Other website Area Studies center Friend, colleague, or acquaintance Other (please describe below) 26

27 2. Medical Information Medical treatment will not be equal to the norm in the US. The remote nature of the program s field component means that participants cannot expect quick or easy access to medical care. Please be sure to list all special medical conditions you may have. You must bring any prescription or over the counter medications that you require for the full extent of your time in Mongolia. See the Waiver (Release/Assumption of Risk form: page 5) for more details. a) List any medical condition that you have or have had in the past five years, including hospitalizations and medical procedures (with their dates). b) Participant health information -Blood type: -Date of last physical examination: -Do you wear corrective or contact lenses? -Loss of consciousness [please explain the circumstances and give date(s)]: -Special diet or foods 5 : -Other health concerns, such as a bad back, trick knee, etc. (please describe in detail): -Any other pertinent medical or health-related information: -Current type of health insurance coverage 6 : 5 If your dietary requirements are different than noted in the information provided in this document, you should plan on bringing any required (or desired) foods. Please discuss your dietary restrictions with CSEN staff well in advance of your arrival in Mongolia. Our field program may not be able to accommodate some special diets. 6 By the time you arrive in Mongolia, you must have insurance coverage that explicitly includes Emergency Medical Evacuation for the duration of your participation in the program. Participants who do not present proof of their insurance coverage on the first day of the program will have to withdraw and forfeit all fees. This is for your own safety and well-being, and the CSEN will not willingly or knowingly allow its participants to put themselves in jeopardy. 27

28 c) Check and describe any that are applicable -Diabetes: -Epilepsy: -Allergies (please list): You may attach additional pages as needed to complete the information requested in the first two sections. 3. Reasons for Applying In words, please describe your interest in the CSEN 2015 Southern Bulgan Province field program, what you hope to learn in the course of your time in Mongolia, and what kinds of experiences you hope to have in the program. You may type your response into this form or attach it as a separate Word or PDF document. 28