[Fedora]

Okay, I went ahead and looked in Barber's and Mair's book for the map, still couldn't find it. I may have seen it from another source. Anyway, it was north of the Gobi Desert and there was something unusual or strange about it that when I read about it I was gonna look at it closer later on and never did. It'll turn up sometime....lol.

It's out there somewhere, LOL! :) No problem--thanks for checking. I do seem to recall hearing the name "Kurumchi" before--could this be it?

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IN SEARCH OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

Off-Road Ethnographic Discovery Trip along Lake Baikal shore (9 nights, 8 days, from: 1 June - 15 October)

Description

Baikal is not merely a unique natural phenomenon of our planet - this Siberian inland sea has played a vital role in the historical past of peoples of Asia.

The Kurykany people - "long-eared", ancient tribe once inhabiting Lake Baikal, and forced to move north by Mongols, left behind the so-called "archaeological culture of Kurumchi". Numerous remains and evidences of this high culture - ancient fortifications, irrigation systems, burials, etc. are still found in the area.

The spirit of "Kurumchi Blacksmiths" (as the Kurykany people were called for their skills in iron processing) is here as well, on the shores of Lake Baikal and its sacral center - Olkhon Island.

[blam]

Okay, I found a map showing both Urumchi and Keremchi (Mair's book) so, they are different places. I believe you have it correct and the present day spelling is Kurumchi. Still can't find much about the people except that they were good 'blacksmiths.' (they must have kept their ancient dope dealings secret, lol)