Archaeologists excavate a mound with a horse skull at khirigsuur ZK956, with ZK513 habitation site visible in the background.Natalia Égüez
Posted on 04/13/2026 6:56:41 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
According to a Phys.org report, a team of researchers led by Jean-Luc Houle of Western Kentucky University explored two Late Bronze Age mounds in Mongolia known as khirigsuurs for evidence of feasting. Khirigsuurs, found in Mongolia and parts of southern Siberia, usually contain human burials and are surrounded by deposits of horse skulls. These are sometimes accompanied by horse neck vertebrae and hooves, and the burned bones of sheep or goats. Houle and his colleagues looked for the rest of these horses and evidence of butchering at khirigsuur ZK-956, which has been dated to between 1054 and 906 B.C. A well-preserved winter settlement has been found near this mound. The second mound in the study, ZK-2022-118, was surrounded by many deposits and has been dated to between 933 and 822 B.C. Soil samples were taken across each of these two sites, but no animal remains were found and chemical testing reflected normal soil composition. There were no missing horse bones recovered at the settlement near ZK-956. Had many horses been slaughtered at these sites, the researchers would have expected to recover bones and find elevated phosphate levels in the soil as a result of large-scale slaughter. The team members plan to continue looking for horse butchering sites. "We're thinking about exploring hill slopes away from habitation sites, as well as terraces and areas near seasonal water sources adjacent to ancient habitation sites, where butchering may have been more practical," Houle explained. To read about a medieval urban center built by nomads of the Uighur Empire, go to "Letter from Mongolia: Building the Black City."
(Excerpt) Read more at archaeology.org ...
Archaeologists excavate a mound with a horse skull at khirigsuur ZK956, with ZK513 habitation site visible in the background.Natalia Égüez
Where Did Bronze Age Mongolians Prepare Their Feasts?
Kitchen?
This seems like a very specialized area of inquiry.
“Look — one of our barbarian horde built a kitchen.”
“Queer.”
“Let’s tie him up inside and burn it down!”
This question has vexed me my entire life.
The Bronze Age Mongolians probably planned to vex us.
I believe they prepared their feasts on their shields placed over a fire, using their swords as cooking implements!
At least that is what I have been told when I used to go to a restaurant that served "Mongolian Barbecue"...
Sadly, there seem to be no more of those restaurants left.
When my father was stationed at Yokosuka, Japan back in the Sixties, he would take the family to the Officer's Club on Wednesday nights where they served Mongolian Barbecue.
It was awesome. It was all you could eat. You grabbed a plate, and went to a station where they had all kinds of things..shaved chicken, beef, or pork. All manner of vegetables cut to allow fast cooking, and all kinds of tasty liquids to choose from.
You took them to the cooking station, and handed it to a Japanese cook who wielded a long, narrow knife, and they would take your place, throw the contents on a large, flat circular cooking surface, and using their knife, cook it until it was just right, grab a fresh plate, heap it on, and hand it to you.
It wasn't Chinese food. It had a very different taste to it. The O-Club would have nights with things like Steamship Round, or other kinds of specialties on different nights, but that was our favorite....Mongolian Barbecue night.
Then, when dessert was served, they would show a movie such as "The Green Berets" or "The Pink Panther". There was something absolutely special and fun about sitting at a table, eating dessert in the O-Club dining room with hundreds of other people watching a movie shot on a screen.
Alas, I cannot find any restaurant anymore that serves Mongolian Barbecue. The last one I knew of was a Chlnese restaurant in the Washington DC Chinatown that I had gone to many times over the years. So, last Summer, when I was visiting the Washington DC area, I decided to go there for Mongolian Barbecue. My GPS led me to park a couple of miles from where I should have, and I was forced to walk to the restaurant which ended up being much further away than the GPS indicated. I actually got lost, which is easy to do in that area, and had to ask several people for directions, including a policeman, but I did eventually find it.
The entrance looked as I remembered it, and you had to walk up a flight of stairs to the second floor, which I also remembered. However, when I walked in, the place looked far more aged, and nearly seedy. And I didn' see the stations for the cooking surfaces in the room. When I asked if Mongolian Barbecue was being served, they said they had not served it for a few years. The place didn't look appetizing, so I left.
On the long walk back to my car, the sun was starting to go down, and the nature of the streets was changing from when I had been walking to the restaurant.
There were no longer a lot of tourists on the street, and the people who were on the street had a distinctly unpleasant cast to them, standing around in groups of three or four, mostly male, and any females seemed to be the kind who came out after the sun went down.
I felt extremely unsafe.
I took off my Rolex (that I still have, which I purchased in the Ship's Store on the USS JFK at the age of 19) and put it in my pocket. I took my money and credit cards and put them in the soles of my shoes, it felt that unsafe.
I made it back, and in the future, I won't be venturing down there anymore. But I will always keep my eye out for someplace that serves Mongolian Barbecue!
A little onowb secret is that they didnt prepare feasts, they ordered out. Either that or th3y bpught digorno, and everyone thought it was delivery.
re DC:
A friend went to school at NYU in the early 70’s. After a few car break ins and robbery’s he left the car windows open and never carried more than a 20 in his sock.
I recall more than once if someone needed a car battery they’d steal one from a parked car, wait a few days and lift a new one.
(lower Manhattan)
They did it at a Hu Hot Mongolian Grille. Got one right here in town. what a silly question. ;-)
There are three Mongolian grills listed in Tucson, though I haven’t been to any of them yet.
Your story about your search for Mongolian BBQ reminded me of the old joke about the guy who gets mugged by two assailants with tire irons. After a fierce 10-minute battle, the muggers finally get their victim down and take his wallet, which only has three dollars in it. They ask him why he fought so hard over a mere three bucks, and the victim says, “Oh, I thought you were after the $600 in my shoe!”
Anyway, glad you made it OK.
Hahahahahaha! That’s great!
LOL, I may make a trip to Tucson JUST to go to one of them!
I just searched again (I haven’t tried for a few years now) and I have one within 50 miles! Gotta try that...:)
Check this guy out. You can find him on social media to make a reservation. But last I looked he was booked for 1-2 years. Too bad I live nowhere near him
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Bobo’s Farm - New York Upstate Roasted Whole Lamb
Specialty Food
Directions
891 Albany Post Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561
Bobo’s Farm is a specialty dining and agritourism venue in New Paltz, New York, known for its immersive Northeastern Chinese culinary experience centered around whole roasted lamb. Located at 891 Albany Post Road, the farm combines rustic outdoor charm with group-oriented dining inside traditional Mongolian yurts, offering a distinctive fusion of farm culture and regional cuisine.
Dining Experience
Bobo’s Farm serves roasted whole lamb, iron pot goose, and other hearty northeastern Chinese dishes in family-style portions. Meals are often hosted in heated yurts, equipped with karaoke, mahjong, and traditional décor, creating a festive communal setting reminiscent of Chinese banquet halls. Guests are encouraged to bring their own beverages and enjoy relaxed, extended meals amid a working farm environment.
Atmosphere and Features
The farm is family-friendly, featuring farm animals and ample outdoor space. Its atmosphere emphasizes authenticity over polish—rustic facilities, casual service, and a lively social setting attract large parties and food enthusiasts seeking a unique countryside experience. Visitors often highlight the flavorful dishes, generous portions, and convivial mood that distinguish Bobo’s from typical restaurants.
Community and Popularity
Originally a local hidden gem, Bobo’s Farm gained viral attention on social media for its photogenic whole-lamb feasts and cultural ambiance. Reservations, usually arranged directly with the owners, are required due to high demand. The venue reflects a growing trend of immersive, experience-based dining that merges culinary authenticity with agrarian hospitality.
i love lamb- a roasted lamb sounds quite good-
RE: Where did they prepare their feasts?
The George Foreman Grill, naturally. We’re talking history here.
And everyone in the whole of Bronze Age Mongolia were named George, really confusing.
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