An unusually preserved saddle from Mongolia, featuring a wooden frame and iron stirrups, may stand as the oldest example of its kind. A new examination of this well-preserved artifact has been published in the journal Ancient Ages, highlighting its significance in the history of horsemanship and mounted warfare (citation: Ancient Ages Journal).
The discovery traces back to 2015 when Mongolian authorities recovered a trove of artifacts seized during the looting of a western cave. Among the items were a saddle painted in black and red, an iron drill, wooden gear used for archery, and the mummified remains of a horse. The cache was found alongside the bones of a man wearing apparel crafted from sheep and badger skins. The site became known to researchers as the Horseman’s Cave, a designation that underscores the preservation of both material culture and human remains in a single, telling context (citation: Ancient Ages Journal).
Using DNA analysis, researchers determined that the rider was male and that the horse was a male domestic animal. Carbon dating of the saddle elements, including bone fragments and the leather strap, places the saddle’s manufacture around 420 years ago, which, if confirmed, would render it the oldest framed saddle yet documented in the world (citation: Ancient Ages Journal).
The emergence of a rigid-frame saddle marks a turning point in equestrian technique. This design allowed the rider to sit more stably, even when standing, freeing both hands for weapon handling during combat and military maneuvers. The study posits that innovations in horsemanship on the Mongolian steppe were closely tied to broader military practices and played a notable role in shaping medieval warfare across connected regions (citation: Ancient Ages Journal).
Earlier investigations hinted at the remarkable durability of certain ancient sites, including evidence suggesting that microbial activity might have influenced structural stability in monumental constructions like the Great Wall. While such microbial interactions have been explored in other studies, the current finding centers on archaeological artifacts and their adaptive significance within ancient cultures (citation: Ancient Ages Journal).