A stunning, 1,500-year-old inscription found on a slab of granite in the grasslands of Mongolia has sparked feverish debate amongst historians, reported Ancient Origins.
The inscription has been tentatively dated to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 A.D.). Should it prove to be authentic, it would be one of the most significant discoveries from a unique dynasty which melded nomadic steppe culture and traditional Chinese civilization. The inscription was found near Ulanqab, in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and measures 1.9-meters-wide by 2.6-meters-high. Even after exposure to the harsh elements for centuries, there were at least 50 characters which remained legible.
The inscription, which bears the title “Stele of the Emperor’s Northern Tour,” contains the recognizable terms dai (dynasty); yiyue (first month); and zhuguozixiyushang (sons of various states, or merchants from China’s Western Regions). The word “Mofu” also appears at least seven times. Mofu was a word used to describe tribal leaders of northern China’s Eastern Hu lineage. The location of the discovery, nearby several military campaigns waged during the Northern Wei Dynasty, further points to the inscription’s authenticity.
If it is authentic, the “Stele of the Emperor’s Northern Tour” would be one of only three confirmed imperial commemorative inscriptions from the Northern Wei period. Researchers call the discovery an invaluable addition to the dynasty’s history. Further analyses of the culture will focus on how the dynasty combined steppe political traditions with Chinese administrative practices.
