ICOMOS EXPERT CONDUCTS MISSION IN MONGOLIA FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE NOMINATION
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As part of the nomination process of the “Xiongnu Elite Burial Complex” for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, ICOMOS expert Ichita Shimoda, appointed by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, conducted a mission in Tuv, Khentii and Arkhangai provinces of Mongolia from August 6 to 12, 2025.
The ICOMOS expert was accompanied by specialists from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth of Mongolia, the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, the Institute of Archaeology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, and the NGO “Nature and Cultural Heritage Protection Foundation,” as well as relevant scholars and researchers. Consultations were held in Bornuur soum of Tuv province, Bayan-Adarga soum of Khentii province and Ondor-Ulaan and Erdenemandal soums of Arkhangai province.
Discussions focused on the current state of preservation and protection of the nominated sites, future development plans and related issues. The mission also reviewed the progress of archaeological excavations at some of the sites and exchanged views with local experts.
It is worth noting that Mongolia has already included six Xiongnu elite burial complexes in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, demonstrating their outstanding universal value from multiple perspectives. These sites include Noyon Uul and Chikhertiin Zoo in Tuv province, Duurlig Nars in Khentii province, Gol Mod-1 and Gol Mod-2 in Arkhangai province and Takhiltin Khudag in Khovd province.
As part of the nomination process of the “Xiongnu Elite Burial Complex” for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, ICOMOS expert Ichita Shimoda, appointed by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, conducted a mission in Tuv, Khentii and Arkhangai provinces of Mongolia from August 6 to 12, 2025.
The ICOMOS expert was accompanied by specialists from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth of Mongolia, the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, the Institute of Archaeology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, and the NGO “Nature and Cultural Heritage Protection Foundation,” as well as relevant scholars and researchers. Consultations were held in Bornuur soum of Tuv province, Bayan-Adarga soum of Khentii province and Ondor-Ulaan and Erdenemandal soums of Arkhangai province.
Discussions focused on the current state of preservation and protection of the nominated sites, future development plans and related issues. The mission also reviewed the progress of archaeological excavations at some of the sites and exchanged views with local experts.
It is worth noting that Mongolia has already included six Xiongnu elite burial complexes in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, demonstrating their outstanding universal value from multiple perspectives. These sites include Noyon Uul and Chikhertiin Zoo in Tuv province, Duurlig Nars in Khentii province, Gol Mod-1 and Gol Mod-2 in Arkhangai province and Takhiltin Khudag in Khovd province.