Unveiling the Production of Turquoise-Glazed Floor Tiles: A 13th-Century Mongol Empire Workshop at Zharantai Gol in the Orkhon valley and its wider implications

This paper explores the recent archaeological findings at Zharantai Gol, a production site located near Ögödei Khan's Spring Palace in the Orkhon Valley, which sheds light on the manufacturing of turquoise-glazed floor tiles from the 1230s, during the height of the Mongol Empire. Excavations have uncovered two furnaces and what is likely a field kiln for floor tile production. This marks the first complete understanding of the production process of these distinctive tiles, which were likely used in elite Mongol structures. The analysis of these kilns and associated artifacts offers new insights into the technical and artistic methods employed in tile production during the 13th century. Additionally, these findings tie in with reports from written sources which detail the transfer of Muslim workers from Central Asia tasked with the erection of the Spring palace. The presentation will detail the excavation results, the technological aspects of the ceramic production, and the implications for understanding the cultural and economic context of the Mongol imperial court.