The Museum of Gokhturk: Khoshoo Tsaidam

Standing in the Khashaat soum of Arkhangai province, the Gokhturk Museum at Khoshoo Tsaidam (also known as the Museum of Khushuu Tsaidam) is a premier archaeological facility dedicated to one of the most significant linguistic and historical discoveries in Central Asia: the Orkhon Inscriptions. Established in 2008 with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), this museum was specifically built to protect and house the original 8th-century steles of the Second Turkic Khaganate, which were suffering from severe erosion in the open steppe.

The Orkhon Steles: Voices of the Khagans

The centerpieces of the museum are the original memorial monuments dedicated to Bilge Khagan (r. 716–734 AD) and his brother, the brilliant military commander Kul Tigin (d. 731 AD). These massive stone slabs are famous for being inscribed with the "Old Turkic" runic script, which was first deciphered by Danish philologist Vilhelm Thomsen in 1893.

• Historical Propaganda: The inscriptions are unique in their tone—they are essentially "state messages" from the Khagans to their people, recounting military victories, warning against the seductive influence of the Tang Dynasty, and urging the Turkic people to maintain their nomadic identity.

• The Script: The runes were carved to be read from right to left, and their discovery proved that the nomadic empires of the 8th century possessed a sophisticated written language and administrative structure.

Treasures of the Memorial Complex

Beyond the steles, the museum houses a vast collection of artifacts recovered from the sacrificial and burial sites located just a kilometer away.

• The Golden Crown: One of the most breathtaking items on display is the golden crown of Bilge Khagan. Adorned with a phoenix motif and inlaid with gemstones, it is a rare example of early Turkic royal regalia.

• Stone Statuary: The collection includes various anthropomorphic stone statues known as balbals, which represent fallen enemies or honored ancestors, along with the original stone turtles (Bixi) that served as the heavy foundations for the steles.

• Architectural Remains: Fragments of roof tiles, iron ornaments, and silver flowers recovered during the 2001 excavations illustrate the complex craftsmanship and settled architectural elements that existed within the Turkic ritual sites.