Kurumchi Culture

an archaeological culture widespread in Eastern Siberia (Cisbaikal Region, the upper reaches of the Lena and Angara rivers) in the sixth to tenth centuries. The remains include camp sites, sites of fortified towns, burial grounds, and cave drawings. The best known are the burial grounds on Ol’khon Island in Lake Baikal, with structures above the graves in the form of miniature chums (tepeelike shelters), and the cave drawings (in red ochre) in the upper reaches of the Lena and Kuda rivers, depicting camels, people in long clothing, and horsemen with banners. The drawings bear many similarities to the art of the Enisei Kyrgyz (Kirghiz) and Altai Turki of the first millennium A.D.

Judging by the inscriptions, the Kurumchi people knew the Orkhon-Enisei system of writing. (They are identified with the Kurykans mentioned in written sources.) Apparently, these were semisettled stock raisers and land cultivators who were also able to work well in metals. They had a tribal union. The Kurumchi culture influenced the culture of the Yakuts and Buriats, and the Kurumchi people are among their ancestors.