Deer Stones, which are widely distributed across most provinces of Mongolia, as well as in the Tuva region of Russia and the areas around Lake Baikal, are remarkable historical and cultural monuments of the tribes that inhabited these regions during the early Bronze and Iron Ages.

A Deer Stone is a vertically standing elongated stone whose four long sides are carefully worked and divided into three sections. Typically, on the front side, and sometimes on both the front and back upper parts, circular rings representing the sun or moon are carved around the main body of the stone. These stones commonly feature several stylized deer figures carved in a classical style, with belts drawn underneath them, often depicting weapons and tools. Some Deer Stones are made from natural unworked stones without such carvings, and there are also many Deer Stones without depictions of weapons and tools.

The deer figures on Deer Stones are usually realistic, but occasionally animals such as horses, gazelles, roe deer, boars, birds, or leopards are depicted instead of deer. These alternative animal figures are rare and limited in distribution. Moreover, the stamps, belts, weapons, and tools carved on these stones do not significantly differ from those on the classical Deer Stones. Therefore, these variations do not represent new types of monuments such as “horse stones” or “gazelle stones” but are considered part of the overall Deer Stone tradition. Deer Stones are typically found standing alone or in groups in valleys, mountain slopes, or small hilltops. They are also frequently placed near burial mounds or rectangular graves, serving as external walls or cornerstones, and in some cases were used as lids for wooden coffins.

On average, Deer Stones range in height from 1 to over 4 meters, with thicknesses of 20 to 40 centimeters and widths of 100 to 130 centimeters. The creation of Deer Stones involved both drawing and carving techniques, leading researchers to regard them as monumental sculptures. Many Mongolian and foreign researchers have studied Deer Stones primarily from an archaeological perspective and generally date them from the early Iron Age up to the 3rd century BCE.

Daagan Deliin Deer Stones

In the wide plateau on the northern slope of Daagan Deliin mountain, located in Shuluustei soum, Zavkhan province, there are two rows of eight deer stones. Two of these stones have sunk deeply into the ground and are covered by grass and moss. Starting from the northernmost stone in the right row, the stones can be described as follows:

• Deer Stone #1: Made from reddish granite, carefully worked. It is 2.05 meters tall, 0.4 meters wide, and 15 cm thick. The surface is quite eroded, so the carved figures are barely visible, but the classical style of the deer depiction is still evident.
• Deer Stone #2: Located 9 meters to the northwest from the other stones. It is 2.2 meters high, 0.38 meters wide, and 0.23 meters thick. Crafted from reddish granite, its front face is oriented to the right (east). The stone has belts at the top and bottom. The upper belt is decorated with two parallel lines forming rectangular indentations, and the lower belt has two wider parallel lines with three rows of small oval shapes between them. Between the upper and lower belts are deer figures carved in the classical style. On the narrow front side below the lower belt are images of a dagger and a bow with arrows; on the opposite side above the belt is a pentagonal shield and a horse carving below the belt. On the upper left side are two circular motifs with 5.8 cm diameters, below the belt a short dagger, and similarly, a horse figure. The upper right side of the stone also has a deer depiction.
• Deer Stone #3: This stone seems to have fallen a long time ago. Made from reddish granite and carefully worked, its surface is now heavily eroded and damaged. It measures 2.8 meters high, 0.37 meters wide, and 0.29 meters thick. Similar to Deer Stone #2, it has two belts; the upper belt is formed by two parallel oval notches, and the lower belt consists of two parallel lines with two rows of small circles with grooves. Below the lower belt on the narrow front side is a short dagger, opposite above the belt is a pentagonal shield, and on the upper right side is a round figure with a crossed axe carved above it.
• Deer Stone #4: Also made from reddish granite, 1.67 meters high, 0.36 meters wide, and 0.17 meters thick. On the narrow front side is a spade-shaped object, and opposite is a pentagonal shield. In the middle of the left side is a circular indentation. The carvings on the right side are relatively well preserved: near the top is a 10 cm diameter circle, below it a narrow groove forming the upper belt, in the middle are two horse images, and below is a lower belt with angular lines. Below the belt are carvings resembling a dagger and a sickle.
• Deer Stone #5: The last stone on the right row is 1.84 meters tall, 0.4 meters wide, and 0.2 meters thick. It is also made from reddish granite. The carvings are poorly preserved. The lower belt consists of two parallel lines dotted with small points. Inside are carvings of a dagger and a sickle-shaped figure; opposite is a pentagonal shield, and below the belt on the left side is a broken-handled dagger.
• Deer Stone #6: The northernmost stone of the second row is 2.5 meters high, 0.39 meters wide, and 0.16 meters thick, made from reddish granite. It has two belts; the lower belt consists of two parallel lines with three rows of dots in between. Above the lower belt on the front side is a pentagonal shield. On the upper left side is a 14 cm diameter circle, and below it is a classical deer carving. On the upper right side is a 15 cm diameter circle with a deer below the belt.
• Deer Stone #7: This stone measures 2.8 meters in height, 0.4 meters wide, and 0.33 meters thick, made from reddish granite. It is divided by two belts: the upper belt consists of a row of circular eyes connected by narrow grooves, while the lower belt is 9 cm wide and decorated with two parallel lines with four rows of dots. Between the belts is a classical deer figure. Below the upper belt on the narrow front side are carvings of a spade-shaped pendant and a dagger. Opposite this side is a pentagonal shield. On the upper left side is a 15 cm diameter circle, and below the lower belt are carvings resembling a dagger and a sickle-shaped pendant. Above the lower belt on the same side is a second pentagonal shield. On the upper right side is a 16.5 cm diameter circle, and below the belt is a battle axe.
• Deer Stone #8: 2.75 meters tall, 0.4 meters wide, and 0.33 meters thick, made from reddish granite. The carvings on this stone are somewhat different from the others. No animals are depicted. The upper belt consists only of angular cross-hatched grooves. Within the belt is a carving resembling a ringed dagger. The opposite side has no carvings. On the center left side is a 22 cm diameter circle, below which is a pentagonal shield with a mesh pattern, and below the belt are carvings resembling a sickle and a 60 cm long short dagger. On the right side below the belt are carvings of axes and similar weapons.

About 5 km from Daagan Deliin mountain, near the road leading to Otgon soum, there is another group of eight deer stones. These stones are smaller, around 1 meter high, and also made from reddish granite. The images on these stones are drawn with light incisions and are poorly visible, but mostly depict deer.

Hunui Gol Deer Stone

In Erdenemandal sum of Arkhangai province, on the northern flat plain near Hunui River – at the Khöshöön site, there is a monument consisting of six deer stones. Each stone can be described as follows:

Deer Stone #1:
The unique and outstanding deer stone of the site stands 4 meters tall, 0.9 meters wide, and 0.7 meters thick. At the top of its front surface, there is a ring (sun), below which a single row of many small hollows encircles the stone body. Seven deer are carved wrapping around the stone, and beneath these deer is a band decorated with wall patterns, depicting weapons such as short swords, battle axes, and shields in a worn but visible manner.

Surrounding this upright deer stone are 3 to 4 rows of stone rings totaling 32 small circular rings, and outside these, two rows totaling 72 similar circular rings. To the right side of the stone are two graves: one with an oval stone slab and another with a round stone slab. Excavations of the rectangular stone slab grave did not reveal any artifacts.

Deer Stone #2:
Located 600 meters west-northwest of the first stone, on the right bank of the Urtiin Shuuduu (Long Valley), there is a small grave with a round stone slab. Ten meters west of this grave lies a fallen and toppled deer stone.

The front of this stone has two concentric rings (sun and moon) at the top, below which is a deer carving. On the wide flat back lower section is a round flat stone (mirror, about 10 cm in diameter). The back wide flat slab wraps around the side narrow slab, forming a composition depicting three deer in a classical style. The bottom part of the stone is broken, and the current height is 1.4 meters, width 0.6 meters, and thickness 0.2 meters.

3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Deer Stones:
Located about 500 meters west of the first stone, there is a rectangular grave (measuring about 3 x 4 meters) oriented facing the four cardinal directions, stretched from west to east. On the north wall of this grave are two deer stones (4th and 5th), and on the west wall is one deer stone (6th).

Researchers excavated a stone top protruding 8 meters west of this grave and re-erected it. This is the 3rd deer stone, standing 2.2 meters high, 0.6 meters wide, and 0.3 meters thick. Its front broad flat upper section features two concentric rings (sun and moon), below which two parallel narrow horizontal lines are decorated with many vertical lines dividing the stone into sections.

The main body of the stone is wrapped by nine deer carved in a classical stylized manner. On the narrow side slab of the stone are carvings of a shield above a band, and on the broad back slab, a short sword hanging from the band is depicted. The lower band of the deer stone is decorated with two widely spaced parallel horizontal lines connected by saw-tooth-like angles.

The Deer Stones of Uushigiin Uvur

Located west of Mörön city, the center of Khövsgöl province, the southern foothills of Mount Uushig are home to numerous burial mounds, khirigsuurs, and deer stones. Fourteen deer stones are situated close together in this area, arranged from north to south. Therefore, we have numbered them starting from the northernmost stone.

Deer Stone #1:
Made of reddish granite, the front broad side of the stone features a sun symbol at the top and five deer below, all carved in a stylized manner. A wide belt is depicted beneath the deer. The carvings on the other three sides are eroded and damaged beyond recognition. The stone measures 2.3 m in height, 0.6 m in width, and 0.3 m in thickness.

Deer Stone #2:
Located 5 meters south of the first stone, the top is broken and the rear side heavily damaged, making the images unclear. The front side shows five deer, the right side four, and the left side three deer, all stylized. A bow is carved below the deer on the left. A belt is carved around the stone beneath the deer, with one deer below the belt on the left side and a five-sided shield on the right. The stone is 4.8 m high, 0.6 m wide, and 0.3 m thick.

Deer Stone #3:
Situated 4 meters southeast of the second stone, the front broad side features four finely carved deer facing upward. Below them, a wide belt with a sawtooth pattern encircles the stone, with a long weapon hanging from it. The narrow right side has one large deer carved facing upward and a five-sided shield beneath it. The rear and left sides are damaged and the carvings no longer visible. The stone is 2 m high, 0.6 m wide, and 0.5 m thick.

Deer Stone #4:
Located 5 meters south of the third stone, it is broken in the middle. The front broad side features a sun and moon at the top, a belt with leaf-like patterns beneath, and three deer below the belt, all facing upward. Two deer are carved on the left side facing downward. On the rear side, a sun and three upward-facing deer are depicted. The stone measures 1.7 m in height, 1 m in width, and 0.25 m in thickness.

Deer Stone #5:
Situated 6 meters southeast of the fourth stone. The top front side has a sun symbol and three deer carved in sequence, all facing upward. A horse is depicted on the left side. The other two sides are badly eroded and the carvings are no longer visible.

Deer Stone #6:
Located 5 meters east of the fifth stone. It is heavily damaged and the carvings are barely discernible.

Deer Stone #7:
Located 8.5 meters south of the sixth stone. The front side features three upward-facing deer. Below them are a bow, arrows, and a mirror. A sawtooth-patterned belt runs below these, and under the belt, a battle axe and a round-headed stabbing knife are depicted.

Deer Stone #8:
Situated 3 meters south of the seventh stone. The top front side shows a sun and moon, followed by seven large and small deer. Seven small deer are also carved on the left side. The back side features eight deer, and the upper right side three deer. Below these is a five-sided shield, a sawtooth-patterned belt beneath it, and one upward-facing deer below the belt. The stone is 2.6 m high, 0.6 m wide, and 0.2 m thick.

Deer Stone #9:
Located 3.5 meters directly south of the eighth stone. The upper right side shows a five-sided shield with a palate pattern and a belt running below it around the stone. The front side features four deer and the side panels three deer, all facing slightly upward. The stone measures 1.5 m in height, 0.5 m in width, and 0.45 m in thickness.

Deer Stone #10:
Located 4 meters west of the ninth stone. The top front shows a sun, and the body contains seven deer. A palate-patterned belt runs below the deer, with an upward-facing deer below the belt. Above the belt, four deer on the left, five on the back, and five on the right are carved, all slightly upward-facing. The stone is 2.2 m high, 0.4 m wide, and 0.5 m thick.

Deer Stone #11:
Situated 6 meters directly south of the ninth stone. The front broad side shows five deer, and five more on the right narrow side, all slightly facing upward. The rest of the carvings are eroded and unclear. The stone measures 3.4 m in height, 0.6 m in width, and 0.3 m in thickness.

Deer Stone #12:
Located 20 meters east of the eleventh stone. The front broad side features a mirror and three upward-facing stylized deer. Two layers of sawtooth-patterned belts run along the lower part. On the upper left side, a five-sided shield with a palate pattern is carved. Other carvings are eroded beyond recognition. The stone is 2 m high, 0.7 m wide, and 0.2 m thick.

Deer Stone #13:
Situated 12 meters south of the twelfth stone. The front broad side shows five stylized deer facing toward the upper right corner. Below them is a five-sided shield with a palate pattern. The stone is 1.8 m high, 0.7 m wide, and 0.3 m thick.

Deer Stone #14:
Located 6 meters southeast of the thirteenth stone. It is broken and lying down. The carvings are no longer visible.

Deed Ulaan Gobi Valley’s Deer Stones

Located south of the center of Mönkhkhairkhan soum in Khovd Province, two deer stones stand at the Deed Ulaan Gobi valley, accompanied by a small khirgisuur (burial mound). About 20 meters in front of the khirgisuur is a white granite deer stone measuring approximately 1.60 meters in height, 0.50 meters in width, and about 0.20 meters in thickness.

The front face of the stone features a circular sun motif carved in raised relief within a double frame. Below the sun, in the center of the stone, a prominent depiction of a bow with a quiver is engraved, followed underneath by the outline of an axe head in sunken relief.

To the right of the bow and axe, there is a finely carved horse figure, with large upright ears, a long neck, and slender legs and body. On the back of the stone, a deer is depicted in the classic “leaping upward” style, and beneath it, a smaller image of a horse is engraved near the base.

The second deer stone located near the khirgisuur is smaller in size and features only simple engravings such as lines and symbols typical of deer stones, without any elaborate imagery.

These monuments at Deed Ulaan Gobi date back to the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age, representing an intriguing piece of Mongolia’s ancient cultural heritage.