The National Museum of Mongolia was established in 1924 with the purpose of showcasing the history, culture, and natural resources of Mongolia to the public. In 1941, it became the State Central Museum and in 1956, it moved to the current Museum of Natural History where history, environment, paleontology, and culture were introduced. In 1991, the National History Museum of Mongolia was separated from the collection of the Museum of the Revolution (founded in 1971) and moved to the museum’s building. In 2008, it was renamed “National Museum of Mongolia” and now has 10 halls with a collection of over 50,000 exhibits.
The Hall of History of Ancient Mongolia
This hall displays a map showing the distribution of finds from the Stone Age and Bronze Age. Tools and petroglyphs from the Old, Middle, and Neolithic found in Mongolia are displayed in chronological order. The exhibition showcases bronze helmets, bullet rust, and hunting knives, which are commonly found in square graves and burial mounds from 5,000-3,000 years ago, during the Bronze Age when Mongolians developed animal husbandry and used bronze objects in their daily life.
The Hall of Ancient States of Mongolia
In the next hall, the Hall of Ancient States of Mongolia, artifacts found in the graves of the Shanyu King of the Huns in Noyon Mountain, Batsumber Sum, Central Province, are preserved. In addition to grain storage pots, chopsticks, knives, and other household items, remnants of the “felt pad” from the sixth grave are considered important finds. The top of the shard has a cloud pattern, a fine line pattern on the outside, and a yak, deer, and tiger in the center. Beasts, winged and tailed beasts fighting with each other were carved into the urn.
The exhibition also showcases artifacts from the shrine complex of kings and nobles found in the Orkhon and Tuul basins related to Turkic history. A large number of gold and silver ornaments, gold and silver domes, cups, brooches, earrings, belt ornaments, bracelets, gold and silver sheets, and silver and gold-plated deer sculptures found in the tomb of Bilge Khan of Turkey were exhibited, and the golden crown of Bilge Khan is the most valuable exhibit. A copy of the 3.3-meter-high and 1.3-meter-wide “Inscription of the Light Statue of Kultegin” erected in 732 was placed. About 10,000 runic letters with 68 lines are carved into the monument, which tells about the biography of General Kultegin and the war of that time.
Next to it are the headless marble statues of Bilge Khan and his queen, as well as the head of the Kultegin general. During the excavations of 2000-2003, there were finds such as shells, bullet rust, antiques, animal anklets, pottery, marble, wood, building materials, etc. Copy of “Tariat Rock Inscription” Kushevni, which tells about the history and culture of the Turkic period in Tariat Sum area of Arkhangai province, some monuments belonging to the Uyghur and Kidan period, a painting of the “murgulchin khun” temple, an 80 cm high stone lion, porcelain vases found in Tuurin of Kherlen Bars Tower, and construction materials were exhibited.
The Mongolian Ethnic Clothing Hall
This hall displays pictures of exhibits related to Mongolian national costumes stored in foreign museums. Khalkh, Torguud, Zakhchin, Myangad, Buriad, Darganga, Barga, Khoton, Kazakh ethnic clothing, Mongolian ornaments, as well as smoking pipes made of jade, silver, steel, amber, glass, pearls, tana, bone, Wooden and bamboo snuff, women’s brooches, earrings, belt ornaments, silver and bamboo bracelets, pearl necklaces for unmarried women, headbands, water stingers, silver, and coral combs with precious stones were displayed.
The Hall of History of Great Mongolia
This hall houses a collection of valuable artifacts and relics that offer insights into the country’s rich history. One of the most significant items on display is a copy of the “Light Statue of Genghis,” which was discovered by Russian scientist Spassky in 1919 on the banks of the Argun River. The statue stands at 2 meters high and is 65 cm wide, featuring 22 words engraved with 5 mer. It also includes the black and white coat of arms of Genghis Khan and is accompanied by a statue of Genghis Khan himself.
Another important discovery was made in 1926 by Russian scientist P.K. Kozlov, who found an inscription on a monument dedicated to the military city of Khubilai Khan in Khairkhandulaan Sum, Uvurkhangai Province. The monument features 300 Chinese characters with 20 lines and includes the seal of the decree used during the Yuan Dynasty, the seal of the owner, and a copy of the letter sent by King Guyu to Pope Yi Innochintso in 1246. The letter was found in the secret archives of the Vatican and is considered the oldest document of Mongolian diplomatic relations. The stamp on the letter bears the inscription of the state seal of the Great Mongolia State, which reads: “Under the power of the eternal sky, let the citizens of the Great Mongolia Dalai Khan’s Decree be admired and protected.”
Other noteworthy items include copies of silver contracts used in internal and external relations of the state, Mongolian military armor, a model of a shrine built for Zuchi Khan, and copies of letters sent by various Mongolian kings to foreign kings and leaders.
The Hall of Mongolia during the Manchu Empire
This hall features a collection of Mongolian manuscripts found in Turfan, East Turkestan in 1902-1904, fragmented pages of various books and scriptures of wooden tigers, portraits of the High Saint Zanabazar, forged steel tools, blacksmiths’ anvils, molds for the god’s anvil, including the names of 11,960 people from the descendants of Khalkh Setsen Khan Sholoy, a copy of the written genealogy, the black coat of arms of Chingunjav who fought against the Manchus, the base of the flag, the Mongolian military muskets, swords, military drums, drums, handcuffs, whips, shackles used for torture during the Manchurian period, executioners’ swords, sandals, boots, and Manchurian military clothing, the seal of the amban, merchant’s debt account book, “Toono Mountain Inscription,” “Golden Honor of the Princess,” and the model of the Amarbayasgalant monastery bell tower.
The Mongolian Traditional Culture and Lifestyle Hall
This hall showcases a variety of traditional Mongolian instruments, scriptures, book materials, cloth and silk blankets, wooden joke boxes, copper and stone wooden tigers, wooden carved toys, anklets, animal bones, copper, brass, iron, wood, various brain teasers, fishing and hunting equipment, traps, shotguns, fishing nets, eagle hunting tools, sewing, handicrafts, carpentry tools, saddle and bridle decorations, animal seals, acorns, jockey scrapers, lamb shanks, veterinary equipment, scriptures on the treatment of animal diseases, grain processing tools, utensils, ladles, wooden buckets, and a fully furnished five-walled house.
The Hall of History of Bogd Khanate Mongolia
Lastly, the Hall of History of Bogd Khanate Mongolia, Republic of the People’s Republic of Mongolia, and Democratic Mongolia features exhibits related to the historical development of Bogd Khanate Mongolia, the Republic of Mongolia, and Democratic Mongolia. The collection includes the first editions of newspapers, state flags and seals, letters presented to Bogd Khan by ministers of that time, the “Erdeniin Ochir” medal, the flag of the Republic of Moldova approved in 1924, a film apparatus from 1930, a typewriter, doctor’s equipment, state hero Dandars swords and guns, historical photographs related to the objectives of the 5-year plan of living and working, industrialization, land acquisition, development of road transport, population health, and literacy, Mongolian culture, science, literature, arts and sports, etc.
