3,000-year-old nomad shields excavated in China

A set of stone shields believed to be used in sacrifices by nomads in China nearly 3,000 years ago has been excavated in northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which archaeologist say is a "breakthrough" for research on the life of ancient nomads.
The shields were discovered at Huahaizi (sea of flowers) Lake in the Altai mountains, which borders Mongolia.
The shields are pentagonal stones, one with a circle carved in the centre, surrounded by a herringbone pattern, state-run Xinhua news agency said.
"Initial researches show the shields could date back to the late Bronze Age, roughly 3,000 years ago," said Lyu Enguo, researcher with Xinjiang's archaeological institute.

Lyu describes the discovery as a "breakthrough" for research on the life of ancient nomads.
Experts from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the cultural relic bureaus of Altay Prefecture and Qinghe County started the excavation in July to find ways of better protecting the relics.

Badly affected by earthquake and climate change, the stone complex has been eroded by the lake water, and will be further damaged if protective measures are not taken as soon as possible.
Archaeologists have compared the patterns carved on the shield with those on deer stones. Pentagons and herringbone are on many deer stones found on the Eurasian steppe.

Deer stones are ancient megaliths carved with symbols that can be found all over the world, but are largely concentrated in Siberia and Mongolia. The name comes from their carved depictions of flying deer.
There are many theories behind their existence and the people who made them, but expert opinion remains divided.
The patterns at the current site are especially similar to those on deer stones from Mongolia's Khovsgol Province, roughly 2,000 km away to the east, said Lyu.
Experts believe the stone shields were not used for combat, but for sacrifices after they were blessed and dedicated.
"They are most likely to be ritual objects for high-level sacrifices, to drive out evil spirits," said Guo Wu, associate researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Modern Shaman often wear small shields as ritual objects. The discovery of these shields may show that such practices date date back to at least 1,000 years ago, said Guo.