Chemurchek culture
46°07′41″N 91°41′14″E / 46.128186°N 91.687306°E
Chemurchek culture and contemporary cultures and polities circa 2000 BCE. Chemurchek statues have also been found on the northern slopes of the eastern Tian Shan. : Location of the Chemurchek cemetery, near Altay City : Location of the Khukh uzuuriin dugui I - 1 statue. | |
| Geographical range | South Siberia |
|---|---|
| Dates | 2750–1900 BCE. |
| Preceded by | Afanasievo culture |
| Followed by | Munkhkhairkhan culture Sagsai culture Deer stones culture Subeshi culture |
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The Chemurchek culture (Ch:切木尔切克, Qièmùěrqièkè; Ru: Чемурчекская культура), also called Khemtseg, Hemtseg, Qiemu’erqieke, Shamirshak (2750–1900 BCE), is a Bronze Age archaeological culture of western Mongolia and the borders of neighbouring countries, such as the Dzungarian Basin of Xinjiang and eastern Kazakhstan. It immediately follows the Afanasievo culture, and is contemporary with the early Tarim Mummies to the south and the Okunev culture to the north. The Chemurchek burials are characterized by large rectangular stone fences, built around collective tombs. The mortuary position of the deceased (supine position with flexed legs) is similar to that of the Afanasievo culture, but the Chemurchek culture is considered distinct. The name "Chemurchek culture" is derived from the Chemurchek cemetery in Altay City, Xinjiang, China. Chemurchek sites have been identified from western Mongolia to areas as far west as the Ili valley in Kazakhstan and western China.