Shibarkule Deer Stone

Shibarkule Deer Stone

The Shibarkule Deer Stone is located in Chagan Gol Township, Qinghe County. Its geographical coordinates are 46°48′40″N, 90°53′40″E, at an altitude of 2,690 meters, and it is accessible via rugged mountain roads.

Deer Stone

It lies to the east near the border with Mongolia, with the Stone Pile Tombs of Sandao Haizi to the west, and is surrounded by flat terrain. The Deer Stone is made of granite and has a rectangular shape. It stands 3 meters tall and 0.23 meters wide, with patterns carved on all four sides that are still clearly visible. The upper part of the front side features a circle symbolizing the sun hanging in the sky, below which there are five carved deer shapes. The topmost deer is the smallest, with its head tilted downward and antlers in a four-pronged shape, while the four deer below all face upward, are larger than the one above, and have three-pronged antlers. The back side is carved with six deer, and the two side faces are decorated with patterns of knives, shields, and deer motifs. Analysis of the patterns suggests that the carvers were likely a minority group that revered martial strength and used the deer as a totem.

The Shibarkule Deer Stone is an outstanding representation of the Altai grassland culture and reflects the cultural heritage of nomadic peoples. Visitors exploring the summer pastures of these nomads can admire the magnificence of the Deer Stone.