Upload
others
View
5
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
1
THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF EURASIAN NOMADS Educational Field Program MONGOLIA: Southern Bulgan Province
ESSENTIAL PROGRAM INFORMATION Dates: July 22nd through 30th Application Deadline: June 20th
Full Contribution Deadline: July 1st
Participant Requirements:
No previous experience required
Previous travel or wilderness experience a plus
Program Contact:
Participant Contribution: $1,490
(tax-deductible when made to CSEN)
Number of Participants: 4-10 Acceptance Type: Rolling notification1
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The southern region of Bulgan Province between the Tuul and Orkhon rivers is home
to numerous ruins, graves, and monuments of modern, medieval, and ancient Mongolia that
shape the movements of nomadic families herding sheep, goat, horse, cattle, and camels
across sand dunes, rocky hills, and rolling steppe. In the center of this landscape is the Elst Ar
site, a cemetery of the first empire in Inner Asia that is the focus of ongoing archaeological
research conducted by the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. This 9-day
educational program in Bulgan Province will incorporate archaeological field research,
academic instruction and lectures, cultural engagement, outdoor activities, and adventurous
backcountry reconnaissance in order for participants to gain a multi-faceted, meaningful
understanding of the Land of Eternal Blue Heaven.
1 Full participant contribution will not be due until the minimum number of participants (4) have been accepted.
All participants will be notified of final program status before July 1st.
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
2
About the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads
The Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads (CSEN) is a 501(c)3 non-profit
educational organization founded by Dr. Jeannine Davis-Kimball in 1989. Since its
foundation, CSEN has supported international collaborative research, scholarly publications,
and educational field programs in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and from the broader Eurasian
steppe. More information about programming, publications, and academic ventures may be
found at the organization’s website (csen.org).
Table of Contents
Program Schedule………………………………………………………….....3-4 Program Map……………………………………………………………………5 Participant Contribution……………………………………………………...5-6 Program Staff………………………………………………………………....6-7 Health and Safety………………………………………………………….….7-9 Travel Information…………………………………………………………..9-11 In the Field………………………………………………………………....11-17 List of Required & Recommended Items………………………………….18-21 Suggested Readings…………………………………………………….…..22-23 Application Form…………………………………………………………..24-28 Release/Assumption of Risk Form………………………………………...…..29 Code of Conduct Form……………………………………………………..30-33
Horse herd: rock art in Suujiin Valley, Bulgan Province
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
3
Program Schedule2
July 21st : Arrival
Program participants arrive in Ulaanbaatar and are met by a program representative,
who will escort them to overnight accommodations.
July 22nd (Day 1) : Introduction to the history and religions of Mongolia
Our team heads to Gandan monastery for morning services, then to the National
Museum of Mongolia for an expert-led tour through Mongolia’s prehistory, history,
traditional culture, and modern politics. After lunch, Dr. Erdenebold will give us a private
lecture at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. In the afternoon our team
will depart the capital for the east bank of the Tuul River, where we will explore and camp
near earthwork medieval ruins. Our field instructors will begin the program-long hands-on
educational training for all participants, to be expanded at each archaeological site and
ethnographic context our team explores.
July 23rd (Day 2) : Camel riding and Khungun Khan Buddhist monastery
After breakfast at basecamp, our team will scout the remaining earthen walled sites on
the east bank of the Tuul River, then travel towards the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes in
southwestern Bulgan Province. We will have lunch and visit with the family of camel
herders who will lead us on camelback through the dunes, departing in the early afternoon for
the Buddhist monastery Khungun Khan. Khungun Khan is located in the red rock hills of the
a national protected area, which itself is home to elusive mountain goats (yangir), large
raptors, and the Ikh Khan Uul ovoo worship site. Our team will observe at the ovoo site and
examine nearby ancient memorial sites that constitute this sacred landscape.
July 24th (Day 3) : Archaeology of Suujiin Valley
Our team will conduct reconnaissance in the main floodplain and adjacent hills, where
previous research has revealed archaeological sites from a variety of time periods: Bronze
Age khirigsuur complexes, Xiongnu/Khunnu imperial cemeteries and low earthen walls, and
multi-period rock art panels.
July 25th (Day 4) : Archaeology of Sumyn Am and backcountry survey
Survey the Sumyn Am dale, where the ruins of a Buddhist monastery are flanked by
Bronze Age burials, rock art, and other features. After lunch we will travel over the fells to 2 The field program schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions, unforeseeable events, and the
discretion of field instructors. The current schedule is a guideline rather than a strict itinerary. Unless otherwise noted, all program team members will overnight in tents at temporary basecamps each night.
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
4
the west, reconnoitering through sparsely-populated backcountry search of undocumented
archaeological sites.
July 26th (Day 5) : Medieval Mongolia and the Elst Ar site
Come down out of the hills to the plain near Khar Bukhyn Balgas, a medieval-period
fortress ruins with stacked rock construction and an associated Buddhist stupa built before the
time of Chinggis Khan. In the afternoon we will arrive at our basecamp site for the next few
days of pedestrian survey, archaeological exploration, and ethnographic interactions with
local herding families near the Elst Ar site.
July 27th through July 29th (Days 6, 7, 8) : Archaeology and ethnography of the western Tuul
River floodplain
In the mornings we will conduct pedestrian survey around the Elst Ar site. Survey
aims to characterize the landscape around the Xiongnu/Khunnu cemetery at Elst Ar in terms
of archaeological features from other time periods, settlements from the Xiongnu/Hunnu
period, and overall topography and ecology. After lunch each day, we will visit a nearby site
of historical significance and/or a local nomadic family. Sites include: late medieval fortress
ruins of Tsogt Taij, the Turk imperial underground tomb (now famously on exhibit at the
Kharkhorin Museum), and the medieval site of Chin Tolgoi.
During this three-day period, we will arrange for some horseback riding on the steppe
with local herders and keep our ears open for any community festivals or events that we can
attend in the area. On our final night at the Elst Ar basecamp, we will have a traditional
steppe barbeque (khorkhog) and open our celebration to locals who have been friendly with
us.
July 30th (Day 9) : Return to Ulaanbaatar
Today we journey back to Ulaanbaatar after breaking camp and visiting the medieval
earthwork ruins on the west bank of the Tuul River. In Ulaanbaatar we will have a farewell
dinner to celebrate the successful completion of the program. Participants will stay overnight
in a guesthouse unless they have made other arrangements.
July 31st : Departure
A program driver will be available to take all participants to the airport or train station
today for their departure from Mongolia. Participants are encouraged to extend their time in
Mongolia after the end of the program, although they will have to make their own plans.
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
5
Participant Contribution
The participant contribution of $1,490 to the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads, a
501(c)3 non-profit organization, for 2015 educational field programming is tax-deductible.
Your contribution will cover expenses for the following:
- Accommodations in Ulaanbaatar on the nights of July 21st and 30th (shared guesthouse rooming; if you would like to upgrade your Ulaanbaatar accommodations to a private guesthouse room or a hotel at additional cost, please let us know well in advance) - July 21st pick-up and July 31st drop-off at Buyant-Ukh/Chinggis Khan International Airport or the Ulaanbaatar train station - Support staff and field instructors for the duration of the program - All entrance fees for museums, temples, and other sites visited as part of the program schedule - A private lecture in Ulaanbaatar by Dr. Erdenebold, a distinguished archaeologist and professor at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology - All program-related transportation costs - Three meals a day during the program (including the farewell dinner in Ulaanbaatar) - Outdoor activities (e.g., horseback riding, hiking, camel riding, local festival participation) - Program equipment rental - Visits to nomadic families in rural Mongolia
Map of key program locations in Central Mongolia
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
6
***Participant contribution does not cover: international airfare, activities beyond the
program dates, personal purchases, alcohol, upgraded Ulaanbaatar accommodations, health or
travel insurance, or any expenses not directly related to this 9-day program and its itinerary.
Contact the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads for further clarification***
Program Staff FIELD INSTRUCTORS
Emma HITE (M.A.) is a doctoral candidate in the Department of
Anthropology at the University of Chicago and a 2014-2015
Fulbright-Hays Fellow conducting dissertation research on the
Elst Ar site. Ms. Hite specializes in bioarchaeology,
zooarchaeology, and archaeological theory. A Seattle native, she
has been working in Mongolia since 2005.
Vanchigdash CHULUUNKHUU (M.A.) is a lecturer at the
Mongolian University of Science and Technology and a doctoral
candidate at the National University of Mongolia. Mr.
Chuluunkhuu supervises the Ancient Technologies Research
Center and specializes in physical anthropology. He is a native of
Zavkhan Province and has previously conducted fieldwork at the
Elst Ar site.
Archaeological survey in Suujiin Valley, Bulgan Province
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
7
GUEST LECTURER
Dr. Erdenebold is a professor at the Mongolian University of Science and
Technology. A distinguished archaeologist, Dr. Erdenebold has led numerous field
expeditions throughout Mongolia and serves on the national archaeological field research
supervising committee. He specializes in the archaeology of medieval Mongolia and ceramic
analysis.
SUPPORT STAFF
Our field instructors will be assisted by Mongolian support staff tailored for the needs
of the program team. The staff will at a minimum include a cook and a driver. Additional
support staff, such as a Mongolian program assistant and more drivers, will join our team if
necessary. The program’s support staff is responsible for the well-being and daily needs of
the team.
PROGRAM LANGUAGE
The Southern Bulgan Province field program’s official language is English.
However, our Mongolian support staff and the local community members will have little or
no English-language communication skills. The field instructors together can carry out most
necessary translation but program participants should be comfortable traveling, working, and
socializing in contexts where English is not spoken. Part of the cultural immersion that
comes with field experiences involves being comfortable with gaps in understanding and
miscommunications. Our program staff will provide some basic Mongolian language
instruction so that participants can engage more meaningfully with the staff and community
members. Participants can acquire introductory Mongolian skills – greetings, simple phrases,
key vocabulary – through the course of the program. Moreover, in all ethnographic
encounters, good will and a positive attitude are much more important than language skills.
Health and Safety
ULAANBAATAR
While in Ulaanbaatar, please stay with the CSEN team and let the program staff know
if you plan to conduct any activities separate from the group or the program itinerary.
Travelers are regularly targeted for pickpocketing, robbery, and scams in the city. There are
some issues with anti-foreigner sentiments in Ulaanbaatar, particularly after dark or from
drunks (alcoholism is a serious problem in Mongolia), and it can be difficult to predict how
serious or risky an encounter is before it is too late. Our program staff will be happy to
provide you with tips and instructions to increase the chance that your time in Ulaanbaatar
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
8
will be pleasant and uneventful. However, the best strategy is to stay with the group at all
times.
IN THE FIELD
Access to healthcare in rural Mongolia is very limited and medical care quality in
Mongolia is not comparable to that in the US. Minor problems will be dealt with as well as
possible by program staff and field instructors. Program participants need to bring some
supplies with them: Band-Aids of all sizes, antibacterial disinfectant (Neosporin, iodine
wipes), Ibuprofen (or comparable), Tums, Pepto-Bismol tablets, Imodium, insect repellant,
Aloe gel, and any prescriptions and personal healthcare items that you made need for the
entirety of your time in Mongolia. Please consult the List of Required and Recommended
Items for more on this subject. More serious problems and injuries will be stabilized as best
as possible until the injured party can be transported back to Ulaanbaatar.
All program participants must have Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage for the
duration of the program. Proof of Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage must be
presented to one of the field instructors on the first day of the program. Any participant who
fails to present appropriate proof will forfeit their contribution and be dismissed from the
program. This policy is for your own safety, health, and well-being. Mongolian healthcare
providers usually do not accept foreign insurance coverage. You will need to discuss the
Bactrian camel train in Elsen Tasarkhai:
one way of staying with the group!
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
9
particulars of your situation with your health insurance provider so that you know what
would be involved if you needed emergency or regular medical care in Mongolia. This is
your responsibility to organize and pay; CSEN, the field instructors, and Mongolian support
staff will assist you but the program and CSEN are not liable for any accident, injury, or
illness you suffer as a program participant. Please consult the CSEN 2015 field program
Waiver (Release/Assumption of Risk form) for more information about insurance and health
issues.
Travel Information
International travel and any trips not specifically included in the 2015 CSEN field
program in Mongolia are not covered by the program contribution. If you are delayed at any
point during your travel to Mongolia, please contact the CSEN and/or program staff via e-
mail and/or phone. We will provide you with emergency contact numbers before you leave
for Mongolia.
IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTH WARNINGS
Mongolia does not officially require foreigners to present any verification of
immunizations for entry into the country. Mongolia’s extreme continental climate means that
most of the more dangerous infectious diseases transmitted by insect/pest, air, food, and/or
drink are not an issue. The programs recommends but does not require the following
vaccinations: Hepatitis A&B, rabies, tetanus, typhoid, and diphtheria. Program participants
should consult their healthcare provider and the Center for Disease Control
(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/mongolia) for more information
about health and medical issues related to their participation in the 2015 field program.
AIR TRAVEL
Flying is the easiest way to get to Mongolia. Flights from Beijing, Seoul, Hong Kong,
Tokyo, and Moscow arrive and depart from the Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport in
Ulaanbaatar. There are no direct flights from the Americas or Western Europe to Mongolia at
this time. Check with your airline company about baggage fees (some airlines require you to
pick up and re-check your bags in your connecting city), transfer policies, and visa
requirements for your city/cities of transit.
A program representative will meet you at the airport in Ulaanbaatar after you’ve
gone through passport control and claimed your baggage. After you claim your baggage, do
not leave the waiting area or your bags, and do not go with anyone unless they are a project
representative and/or a Mongolian official. You will have the cell phone contact information
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
10
for our program staff should you need to contact us while at the airport in Ulaanbaatar. We
encourage you to pack your passport and an emergency set of items (change of clothing,
toiletries, your money, etc.) in your carry-on luggage or on your person (whichever is safer)
in the event that your checked luggage gets lost.
OTHER OPTIONS
Travelers can reach Ulaanbaatar by train from Beijing or via the Trans-Siberian
railway. These options are more time-consuming but worthwhile if you are up for an
adventure. Please notify program staff well in advance if you do not intend to fly to Mongolia
so that we can plan to pick you up at the main passenger train station in Ulaanbaatar. A
Russian or Chinese visa is required for US citizens traveling via train, depending on the
route; please plan accordingly.
GETTING AROUND ULAANBAATAR
A program representative will be available to pick you up at the airport the day before
your program starts and drop you off at the project guesthouse/apartment in Ulaanbaatar. If
you decide to arrive in Mongolia more than 24 hours before the program starts, you will need
to let us know and make your own arrangements to join up with the team on the evening
before the program starts.
Downtown Ulaanbaatar is traversable on foot and is also served by buses,
trolleybuses, and taxis. As noted previously, program participants will not have a lot of time
to explore the city on their own before our team conducts first day activities (Gandan
monastery visit, guided tour of the National Museum of Mongolia, and lecture by Dr.
Erdenebold) and heads out to the field. You are advised to stay with the program team or
other participants if you want to explore Ulaanbaatar. Be prepared for delays and difficult
traffic conditions when traveling in, out of, and through Ulaanbaatar by car or bus.
FIELD LOGISTICS
Our team will travel in 4-wheel drive vehicles, depending on the size of our group, on
a combination of poorly-maintained paved roads, dirt tracks, and off-road in Mongolian
backcountry. There is some decent paved road leading out of Ulaanbaatar but expect difficult
traffic while getting out of the city and rough road (or off-road) conditions after a certain
point. Riding in program vehicles is not particularly comfortable, especially when going off-
road, so be prepared for a bumpy ride. Those prone to carsickness are recommended to take
precautions.
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
11
VISAS
US citizens do not need a Visa to stay in Mongolia for 90 days or less. US citizens
staying longer than 30 days in Mongolia must register with Mongolian Immigration. Please
bear this in mind when planning your participant in the CSEN program. If you are not a US
citizen, it is your responsibility to look up the Visa requirements for your country of
citizenship as they apply to Mongolia. There are no citizenship requirements to participate in
the CSEN field program.
IN THE FIELD
The Southern Bulgan Province field program involves living in scrub-desert, mixed
scrub-steppe, and steppe environments over the course of 9 days (8 nights in tents).
Fieldwork in rural Mongolia is rewarding but challenging, as plans and conditions can
change, for better or for worse, at the drop of a hat. A positive, flexible outlook is essential
for all volunteers! Volunteers should be in good physical condition and prepared to undertake
a variety of physical tasks related to archaeological research and life at basecamp while
remaining in good spirits. Emma Hite, our US field instructor, has previously worked with
international volunteers and participants ranging from senior citizens to first-year college
students on previous archaeological and other field projects in Mongolia; her experience is
that a volunteer’s a cheerful attitude and a good work ethic are far more valuable than their
physical prowess or previous experience. We want everyone involved to have a positive
experience this summer.
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
12
BASECAMP
During the majority of their program participation, volunteers will live in temporary
program basecamps set up along our route through rural Mongolia along with the rest of the
program team (field instructors and Mongolian support staff). Field conditions in rural
Mongolia are beautiful but rugged, as the project is located a considerable distance from any
towns, permanent infrastructure, or utilities services. Weather is unpredictable and volunteers
should be prepared for the extremes of all four seasons. Please consult the List of Required
and Recommended Items, as this list will be your best guide to proper preparation for your
time in the program.
SLEEPING
Participants should plan to bring their own tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping mats for
camping; however, they may also rent this equipment here in Mongolia for the duration of the
program. Our program can secure these rental items for you but they are very likely to be of
lower quality than what you can bring with you.
Temperature in Mongolia fluctuates rapidly from night to day, even during the height
of summer, and our area may experience high winds, rainstorms. During the height of
summer, snow and frost are not unheard of during a cold snap. Mongolia is known as the
Land of Blue Sky and Mongolians consider themselves blessed by Eternal Blue Heaven. The
brilliant blue sky and glorious cloud formations are as beautiful as the sunlight is intense.
While Mongolia is generally quite arid, July and August fall during the rainy season. We
recommend that you bring a tent that can withstand high winds and heavy rain. While you
may get too hot during the day, your sleeping bag should be able to withstand the cold and
you should have a decent sleeping pad to insulate you from the ground. Just because it is
summer doesn’t mean that it won’t get very cold, especially at night!
We strongly urge you to bring enough clothing to deal with all extremes and types of
weather. You should bring at least one set of thermals or long underwear, cold weather hat
and gloves, socks of both thin and heavy weight, sweaters or Polar Fleece zip-ups, long pants,
a rain slicker or poncho, and other clothes for layering. Layering is the key to dealing with
Mongolia’s temperamental weather! Please consult the List of Required and Recommended
Items for more details.
EATING AND DRINKING
Our program cook will prepare, serve, and clean up after three meals a day, from
staples of the traditional Mongolian diet: mutton or goat, rice, noodles, and potatoes,
supplemented with vegetables. However, as members of a field team, everyone is expected to
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
13
help with camp duties when asked. Prospective program participants with special dietary
requirements should consult with us during the application process.
Program participants are encouraged to bring some favorite spices and seasonings
from home (like A-1 sauce or curry powder) to liven up camp meals. Bringing some favorite
snacks and treats from home is a great idea: dried fruit, peanut butter, Nutella, hard candy,
powdered drink flavoring, and other small, light items will improve your experience in the
field. Tums and multi-vitamins, though more medicinal, will help you adjust to a different
diet. All program participants will share communal utensils, dishes, bowls, and cups. You
may bring a personal set with you, but don’t be surprised if others use it or parts go missing
(the nature of communal living!). There may be opportunities to buy snacks and cold drinks
from small towns as our team travels across the countryside.
When visiting the homes and festivals of local herders, you may be fortunate enough
to be offered samples of traditional Mongolian cuisine, such as aruul (sweet hardened cheese
curds), suutei tsai (‘milky tea’ – the recipe varies by region and household), uruum (cooked
cream spread), and airag (fermented mare’s milk, a particular specialty of the project’s
region). Our field instructors will educate program participants on the relevant etiquette and
traditions before each visit, but participants are expected to politely sample and praise the
home-cooking of our generous Mongolian hosts.
Milking mares during airag-
producing season in Bulgan Province
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
14
Mongolia is an arid country. The program will draw its water from wells and rivers
along its route for cooking, cleaning, and drinking. Participants are strongly recommended to
bring a personal water purification system with them from home: a filtration pump, water
purification tablets, and at least one sealable container that can hold over 1L of water. The
program will provide bottled water to all participants and staff, but this process increases the
amount of waste our team leaves in local communities and CSEN aims to make as little
impact on the ecosystem as possible. Thus, the more water that we can draw from wells and
rivers and purify for ourselves, the better. Staying hydrated is hugely important, especially
while working under the hot summer sun. You need to drink at least 3 liters of water every
day, likely more if it’s particularly hot or you’ve been particularly active (pedestrian survey,
horseback riding).
The meat in our diet will come primarily from goat and sheep purchased from local
herders, which will be slaughtered and butchered by our Mongolian staff with the help of
these locals. These animals lead free-range, all-natural lives and their meat should be
appreciated. If you are uncomfortable with animal slaughter, butchery, or seeing parts of an
animal hanging to dry, you should reconsider your plan to join the program. These activities
and sights are a fundamental reality of the mobile pastoral lifeway in modern Mongolia, so
you may see them at basecamp, during visits to the homes of local herders, or during other
program activities. As a participant in a CSEN program, you will be expected to keep any
negative reactions or opinions to these and other aspects of Mongolian life yourself in order
not to offend or upset our Mongolian staff and hosts. The Center for the Study of Eurasian
Nomads is committed to positive, ethical relations with the local communities involved in
any of our programs, and as program team members, participants will act accordingly
FACILITIES
Clean is a relative term. Fieldwork and adventuring involve getting dirty and being
comfortable with few amenities, lower standards of cleanliness, and breaking out of your
normal routine. All of this will be especially true for our time in rural Mongolia. Most days
our team will have no access to major water sources; there should be opportunities to bathe in
the Tuul River July 27th through 29th if so desired.
There will be no plumbing once our program leaves Ulaanbaatar. Our team will have
opportunities to bathe in rivers and lakes upon occasion, but not daily. Bring a swimsuit,
sandals, biodegradable and environment-friendly soap, a towel, and other personal hygiene
supplies (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, moisturizing lotion, chapstick: see
the List of Required and Recommended Items) as necessary.
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
15
‘Facilities’ in rural Mongolia include: pit toilets with varying degrees of privacy and
‘steppe toilets’ (a convenient spot far from others). In addition to other personal supplies,
volunteers are encouraged to bring soft toilet paper from home and travel-sized containers of
hand sanitizer, Handi-wipes, facial wipes, and Kleenex. Those who are overly modest or
concerned about cleanliness are encouraged to think hard about the realities of fieldwork and
travel in Mongolia.
ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Program participants should not bring any electronic items that cannot be powered by
batteries, as there will be no available electrical source at basecamp or within the project area.
Bring enough batteries to power your personal devices, especially your flashlight. Please also
include some extra batteries (AA and AAA) for emergencies and to share with other project
participants. You may wish to bring a solar charger for your batteries or electronics, as many
local herders in the area power their TV sets and charge their cell phones in this way. There is
neither internet access nor reliable cell phone reception within the project area. Our program
participants can make calls from county seats, but these are several hours away by car and
international calling rates apply. Program participants should not count on communicating
with the outside world while on the project.
HEALTH AND PERSONAL COMFORT IN THE FIELD
All program participants will need to wear good supportive footwear while in the field
to protect their feet, stay warm and dry, and to make outdoor activities easier.
Reconnaissance and survey may require walking up to 5 miles a day over uneven, sometimes
Khar Bukhyn Balgas, the ruins of a
medieval fortress in Bulgan Province
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
16
hilly terrain while carrying some items (at least 1L of water, personal supplies, field
notebook) in your daypack. Field expeditions in rural Mongolia require decent physical
condition and include a regular amount of activity, but having a good attitude is much more
important than being in good shape. Those with chronic health problems or medical concerns
should consult CSEN and their physician for their own safety and comfort before joining the
program. As noted elsewhere, the weather is extremely variable in Mongolia but intense
sunlight and hot days are the norm during summer time. In a steppe environment there is no
natural shade or cover from the sun. Thus, a brimmed hat is required and sunglasses, light-
weight, light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants are highly recommended. Volunteers must
bring and wear adequate amounts of sunscreen (SPF 30+) in addition to staying hydrated
throughout the day.
Animals are an important part of nomadic life in rural Mongolia. People with a fear
of animals are discouraged from attending, as herd animals and dogs roam free in rural
Mongolia and occasionally through basecamp. All program participants will be respectful and
polite when local herders drop by for unannounced visits as good relations with our hosts and
neighbors is a key part of the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomad’s philosophy. Our
team will have opportunities to engage with these animals several times during the program.
These may horseback riding, camel riding, helping to herd sheep and goat, milking mares,
and perhaps holding young livestock. None of these activities are required and team
members undertake them at their own risk (see the Release/Assumption of Risk form in the
application). If at any time you feel uncomfortable with a program activity or event, please
let the field instructors and Mongolian staff know so that they can make changes accordingly.
FIELD ACTIVITIES
Reconnaissance and Pedestrian Survey
Our team will take a variety of approaches to discovering, identifying, and
documenting sites of archaeological, historical, and/or cultural significance in southern
Bulgan Province. The field instructors will teach participants all methods necessary to carry
out these tasks, provide detailed information about the cultures, historical periods, and belief
systems relevant to each site, and lead the actual fieldwork.
Visits to Nomadic Families
Families in the countryside primarily live in traditional Mongolian ger. Our field
instructors and Mongolian staff will introduce proper Mongolian and ger etiquette, basic
useful greetings and phrases in Mongolian, and other pertinent topics to all participants
before and during these visits. Spending time with local families is one of the most enjoyable
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
17
and authentic ways to learn about Mongolian culture. The team’s time with local nomadic
families will be our primary mode of ethnographic learning and experience.
Guests arriving at a family’s ger are traditionally offered some snacks and drinks and
guests in turn offer something for the family. We recommend that you bring candy, gum, or
small treats as a ‘guest gift’ to the family, although our program staff will have a small store
of these as well. These visits are contingent upon the availability and receptiveness of local
herding families. Most importantly, program participants are expected to be on their best
behavior during home visits.
Optional Activities
Our program participants will ride Bactrian camels in the sand dunes at Elsen
Tasarkhai and horses owned by local herders on the steppe near the Elst Ar site. These
activities are wonderful opportunities for fun and adventure. Hiking and swimming apart
from the program’s main schedule will be available a few times during the 9 days in the field.
Festivals Organized by Local Communities
Summer is Naadam season, the main summer holiday in Mongolia, celebrated in
Ulaanbaatar this year from July 11th–13th. Naadam traditionally includes the Three Manly
Sports – wrestling, archery, and horse-racing – some of which we may see at local Naadam
celebrations in Bulgan Province. This time of year there are also small airag (fermented
mare’s milk) festivals and horse races held throughout rural Mongolia. These events are rare
opportunities for foreigners to experience rural community life in Mongolia and celebrate the
best of summer with our generous hosts and neighbors. Most such events are rarely
publicized and therefore we cannot guarantee which events we will attend, if any. However,
our program will take every opportunity to engage with Mongolian culture and will alter the
program schedule in order to accommodate possibilities for such once-in-a-lifetime events.
Two adjacent khirigsuur Bronze-Age monuments (southern Bulgan
Province)
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
18
LIST OF REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED ITEMS
Required Items
In the event that a CSEN field program participant does not have the Required Items
by the date stipulated below, the participant will have to withdraw from the project and forfeit
his/her contribution. This policy is for the safety and well-being of the participant, as it will
be an extreme hardship or even impossible to participate in the Southern Bulgan Province
program without the Required Items. Please contact us with your questions before leaving
for Mongolia ([email protected]).
With your final and full contribution to CSEN -Proof of medical insurance coverage for duration of project participation that specifically includes Emergency Medical Evacuation -Signed project Waiver (Release/Assumption of Risk form) -Signed volunteer Code of Conduct July 22nd -Tent that can withstand high winds, rainstorms -Sleeping bag (warm enough for temperatures below 32F) -Sleeping mat (suitable for your sleeping bag) ***Participants may rent a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat from a CSEN affiliate company in Mongolia for the duration of the program. However, you must let us know well in advance if you decide to rent this equipment so that CSEN staff can obtain it in time for the program start-date. CSEN and program staff cannot guarantee that the quality of these items will meet individual standards, although they should be serviceable for a 9-day field program*** -At least one water bottle or sealable container that can hold at least 1L of water -Flashlight -Close-toed shoes for fieldwork (hiking boots, steel-toed work boots, etc.) -Hat with brim for protection from sun -Rain slicker/poncho with hood -Adequate clothing (see Recommendations below and be prepared for all possible weather conditions!) -Small daypack
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
19
-Field notebook and writing implements for taking notes, recording data, and keeping a personal journal during the program -Any personal medications or prescriptions that you are currently taking or will need while in the field; you will not be able to get them in Mongolia -Sunscreen (SPF 30 minimum) -Additional personal supplies (see Recommendations below)
Recommended Items
These recommendations are based on the personal experiences of Western volunteers
on previous archaeological expeditions in Mongolia. Many of the items listed below are
Required Items for most participants but your individual mileage may vary. Use your
judgment when preparing for your time in Mongolia, as this list is not intended to be
exhaustive. We want our team to have the best possible experience in Mongolia this summer;
you will have a much better time if you’re properly dressed and equipped! Do not count on
being able to borrow the items listed below from other program participants or necessarily
being able to purchase them in Ulaanbaatar. Please contact us before you leave for Mongolia
if you have any questions.
-Water purification system – filter and/or tablets, bottle(s) that hold a combined minimum of
3 liters. This will help cut down on waste associated with buying bottled water in rural
Mongolia. The program will purchase and supply drinking water for all participants, but it is
always advisable to have a personal back-up system for convenience and environmental
impact reduction.
-Field research supplies (optional): personal GPS unit, clipboard, compass, camera -Field mess kit: bowl, spoon, fork, and cup that will get put into rotation in the kitchen tent. The cup should be able to handle hot liquids. These items do not have to be high-quality CLOTHING: -Field wear: 1) full-length canvas or khaki pants for project work (at least 2 pairs) 2) old men’s dress shirts in light colors to wear for project against sun and dirt 3) hiking socks -For hot weather: 1) short-sleeved shirts and/or tank tops
2) shorts 3) sandals for relaxing at basecamp and bathing in the river
-For cold(er) weather: 1) long-sleeved shirts 2) thermals or long underwear
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
20
3) polar fleece or wool sweaters 4) gloves and hat -Other: 1) sunglasses 2) bathing suit 3) bandanas or kerchiefs PERSONAL: -Protective: 1) insect repellant 2) Chapstick with SPF -Medicinal: 1) pain relief (Ibuprofen, Advil)
2) digestive (Tums, Pepto-Bismol tablets) 3) antibiotics – personal Rx for Ciprofloxacin 4) cuts and scrapes (Band-Aids of all sizes, Neosporin, antiseptic/antibacterial
wipes) 5) personal First-Aid kit (which may contain much of the above)
-Personal hygiene: 1) personal soap, deodorant 2) shampoo and conditioner 3) pads, tampons 4) toilet paper (the program will supply basic TP but you may prefer to
bring softer stuff from home) 5) travel packs of Kleenex 6) liquid hand sanitizer (keep in mind that water is usually unavailable for hand-washing in the Mongolian countryside) 7) travel packs of Wet Wipes 8) moisturizer (hand, face, body – do not underestimate the aridity of Central Mongolia!) 9) toothpaste, toothbrush, floss 10) hairbrush or comb 11) towel (a quick-drying travel towel is preferable)
-Other toiletries as needed
OTHER:
-Immunizations: Hepatitis A&B, Typhoid, Rabies. The Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads recommends but does not require any vaccinations or immunizations for participation this summer. However, you should consult with your healthcare specialist and the CDC for more information (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/mongolia) -Electronics: 1) camera 2) MP3 player 3) batteries for any electronic devices 4) portable solar charger 5) travel alarm clock
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
21
-Financial3: 1) secure travel purse or wallet 2) ATM card, preferably VISA: you should be able to withdraw Mongolian
tugrug from ATM in downtown Ulaanbaatar. It is not possible to purchase Mongolian tugrug in the US at this time. 3) 1-2 crisp new $100 bills: if you choose not to bring an ATM card, bring one or two new, crisp $100 bills to exchange. An old, wrinkled, and or tattered $100 bill will be rejected by both Mongolian banks and money changers!
-Other: 1) favorite snacks, especially candy, from home to share
2) candy, gum, or stickers to give as a guest present to local herding families and their children
3To be on the safe side, you may wish to bring both $100 bills and an ATM card with you to
Mongolia. You may need Mongolian tugrug in case of emergency. Moreover, you may wish
to have a small amount of spending cash for personal expenses, souvenirs, and treats not
covered by the program (i.e., candy, snacks, drinks, etc. bought in small towns in the
countryside, alcohol). You will not be able to change money outside of Ulaanbaatar or
reliable use an ATM or credit card
Ruins of the original Ikh Khan
Uul/Khungun Khan Buddhist monastery
and post-1990 rebuilding efforts
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
22
Program Suggested Readings ***There are no required readings for the 2015 Southern Bulgan Province program*** Interested participants may wish to consult the following scholarly sources in order to enhance their experience in the field. All sources are in English. Allard, F., & Erdenebaatar, D., 2005. Khirigsuurs, ritual and mobility in the Bronze Age of
Mongolia. Antiquity 79, 547-563
Allsen, T.T., 1996. “Spiritual Geography and Political Legitimacy in the Eastern Steppe.” In: Ideology and the formation of early states, pp. 116-135.
Barfield, T., 1989. The Perilous Frontier: Nomadic Empires and China. Basil Blackwell, Oxford and Cambridge, MA. Biran, M., 2013. The Mongol Empire in World History: The State of the Field. History Compass 11/11, 1021-
1033.
Brosseder, U., & Miller, B.K., 2011. Xiongnu Archaeology: Multidisciplinary Perspectives of the First Steppe Empire in Inner Asia. Bonn Contributions to Asian Archaeology, Vol. 5. Vor- und Frühgeschichtlich Archäologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany.
Charlier, B., 2015. Faces of the Wolf: Managing the Human, Non-Human Boundary in Mongolia. Brill.
Davydova, A.V., 1968. The Ivolga gorodishche: a monument of the Hiung-nu culture in the Trans-Baikal region. Acta Archaeologica Scientiarum Hungaricae 20, 209-245.
Di Cosmo, N., 1994. Ancient Inner Asian nomads: their economic basis and its significance in Chinese history.
Journal of Asian Studies 53(4), 1092-1126. Di Cosmo, N., 1999. State formation and periodization in Inner Asian history. Journal of World History 10 (1),
1-40. Di Cosmo, N., 2002. Ancient China and its Enemies: The Rise of Nomadic Power in East Asian History.
Cambridge University Press. Frachetti, M., 2008. Pastoralist Landscapes and Social Interaction in Bronze Age Eurasia. University of
California Press. Fijn, N., 2011. Living with Herds: Human-Animal Coexistence in Mongolia. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge.
Hanks, B., 2010. Archaeology of the Eurasian steppes and Mongolia. Annual Review of Anthropology 39, 469-
486. Honeychurch, W., Amartuvshin, Ch., 2006. “States on Horseback: The Rise of Inner Asian Confederations and
Empires”. In: Archaeology of Asia. Blackwell Publishing, MA. pp. 255-278. Honeychurch, W., 2013. The nomad as state builder: historical theory and material evidence from Mongolia.
Journal of World Prehistory 26, 283–321. Jacobson-Tepfer, E., 2006. “The Rock Art of Mongolia.” The Silk Road 4 (1: Summer 2006), 5-13. Park, J.-S., Eregzen, G., Yeruul-Erdene, Ch., 2010. Technological traditions inferred from artefacts of the
Xiongnu Empire in Mongolia. Journal of Archaeological Science 37, 2689-2697. Rogers, J.D., 2012. Inner Asian states and empires: theories and synthesis. Journal of Archaeological Research
20, 205-256. Rogers, J.D., Erdenebat, U., Gallon, M., 2005. Urban centres and the emergence of empires in Eastern Inner
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
23
Asia. Antiquity 79, 801-818. Sima Qian [Watson, B., 1993]. “Chapter 110: the account of the Xiongnu”. In: Shi ji [Records of the Grand
Historian]. Columbia University Press, New York. Skaff, J.K., Honeychurch, W., 2013. “Empire building before the Mongols: legacies of the Türks and Uyghurs”.
In: Genghis Khan and the Mongol empire, pp. 84-89. Sneath, D., 2007. The Headless State: Aristocratic Orders, Kinship Society, & Misrepresentations of Nomadic
Inner Asia. Columbia Press, NY. Tumen, D., Navaan, D., & Erdene, M., 2006. Archaeology of the Mongolian period: a brief introduction. The
Silk Road 4 (1), 51-55. Waugh, D., 2010. Nomads and settlement: new perspectives in the archaeology of Mongolia. The Silk Road 8,
97-124.
Sunset north of Khungun Khan
monastery in southern Bulgan Province
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
24
2015 APPLICATION FORM INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Fill out the Volunteer and Medical Information sections of this form 2) Complete the Short Response (250-500 words) either by typing into this form or attaching them as a separate file 3) Submit a recent photograph of yourself (jpeg format preferred)
4) Include your full name on all application materials 5) Make the check to: “CSEN” and write: “2015 Southern Bulgan Province program deposit”
in the Subject/Detail line. In the event that you are not accepted as a participant or that the
program is cancelled, your deposit will be fully refunded. Mail your $250 deposit and a copy
of the Participant Information section of your application to:
Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads c/o Jeannine Davis-Kimball, PhD 2158 Palomar Ave Ventura, CA 93001
***The Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads prefers to receive contributions as checks.
However, if this is a problem, funds can be transferred via PayPal. If you use PayPal there
will be an additional charge of $7.55 to cover the cost of PayPal for the $250 deposit and an
additional $54 for the $1,240 remaining due. Therefore, if paying via PayPal, the deposit
cost is $257.55 and the final payment is $1,294.00 . These additional PayPal charges cannot
be refunded in the event of an applicant’s rejection or program cancellation***
6) E-mail your completed application form and all attached documents to: [email protected] If you are accepted into the CSEN 2015 field program in Mongolia, you will need to pay the remaining program contribution ($1,240) by July 1st, 2015. Funds must be received by this date. Please add five days from posting your check for regular USPS delivery. Signed copies of the Volunteer Waiver (Release/Assumption of Risk form: page 5) and the Code of Conduct (pages 6-9) will be due by July 1st. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. DEADLINES June 20th, 2015: application and $250 deposit ($257.55 if paying via PayPal) July 1st, 2015: remaining program contribution ($1,240) ($1,294 if paying via PayPal) Please let the CSEN know if you have any questions about the application form, necessary attached documents, or the application process. We prefer to contact you by e-mail ([email protected]). Please notify us if your e-mail address changes after you have submitted an application.
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
25
1. Participant Information
First name:
Middle name:
Last name:
Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)4:
Citizenship:
Current address:
City:
State/Province:
Country:
Zip/Postal code:
Mailing address if different from above:
Home phone:
Work phone:
Mobile:
E-mail address:
Social Security Number:
Driver’s License:
Sex:
Height:
Weight:
Passport number:
Type:
Expiration date:
Employer or school:
Address of employer/school:
Emergency contact
Name:
Relationship:
4 Program participants aged 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian. CSEN field programs do
not accept applications from children under the age of 12. There is no maximum age limit for participants; enthusiasm, attitude, and overall health are more important than numerical age.
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
26
E-mail:
Telephone:
Address:
Contact number for employer/school:
If retired or unemployed, former employer’s or most recent school’s contact information:
Any additional pertinent information (hobbies, personal interests, profession, technical skills,
degrees held, etc.):
How did you hear about our program? Please check all that apply:
CSEN website (csen.org)
AIA AFOB
CSEN Facebook page
CSEN Twitter account
University website
Other website
Area Studies center
Friend, colleague, or acquaintance
Other (please describe below)
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
27
2. Medical Information
Medical treatment will not be equal to the norm in the US. The remote nature of the
program’s field component means that participants cannot expect quick or easy access to
medical care. Please be sure to list all special medical conditions you may have. You must
bring any prescription or over the counter medications that you require for the full extent of
your time in Mongolia. See the Waiver (Release/Assumption of Risk form: page 5) for more
details.
a) List any medical condition that you have or have had in the past five years, including hospitalizations and medical procedures (with their dates).
b) Participant health information -Blood type: -Date of last physical examination: -Do you wear corrective or contact lenses? -Loss of consciousness [please explain the circumstances and give date(s)]:
-Special diet or foods5:
-Other health concerns, such as a bad back, trick knee, etc. (please describe in detail): -Any other pertinent medical or health-related information:
-Current type of health insurance coverage6:
5 If your dietary requirements are different than noted in the information provided in this document, you should
plan on bringing any required (or desired) foods. Please discuss your dietary restrictions with CSEN staff well in advance of your arrival in Mongolia. Our field program may not be able to accommodate some special diets. 6 By the time you arrive in Mongolia, you must have insurance coverage that explicitly includes Emergency
Medical Evacuation for the duration of your participation in the program. Participants who do not present proof of their insurance coverage on the first day of the program will have to withdraw and forfeit all fees. This is for your own safety and well-being, and the CSEN will not willingly or knowingly allow its participants to put themselves in jeopardy.
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
28
c) Check and describe any that are applicable -Diabetes: -Epilepsy: -Allergies (please list):
You may attach additional pages as needed to complete the information requested in the first
two sections.
3. Reasons for Applying
In 250-500 words, please describe your interest in the CSEN 2015 Southern Bulgan Province
field program, what you hope to learn in the course of your time in Mongolia, and what kinds
of experiences you hope to have in the program. You may type your response into this form
or attach it as a separate Word or PDF document.
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
29
RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK
For and in consideration of the opportunity to participate in the 2015 Southern
Bulgan Province field program run by the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads in
Mongolia, I release Emma Hite, Vanchigdash Chuluunkhuu, Jeannine Davis-Kimball, and the
Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads from any and all liability for property damage,
personal injury, or expenses incurred as a result of injury, illness, or accident that I may
experience in the course of this program. I understand that there are many dangers and risks
in participating in this program, both because of physical and economic conditions in
Mongolia and arising out of archaeological fieldwork in general. These include but are not
limited to health risks (rabies, Hepatitis, Giardia), dangers in the environment, extreme
weather conditions (flooding, storms, low or high temperatures), injury from other
participants (accidental or intentional), injury during the course of archaeological fieldwork
(all activities associated with pedestrian survey), injury during normal activities in rural
Mongolia (horse-back riding, wrestling, hiking, swimming, interacting with herd animals and
guard dogs, interacting with wildlife), inaccessibility to medical care, political unrest, food
and water safety, and vehicular accidents. I do not expect the program staff or field
instructors to protect me from such risks and dangers and I accept full responsibility myself
for any and all injury, damage, and associated costs and expenses that may result to me from
my participation in the Southern Bulgan Province program run by the Center for the Study of
Eurasian Nomads.
Date Participant signature
Print participant name
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
30
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads Code of Conduct for the 2015 Southern
Bulgan Province field program is designed to foster a positive experience for all program
participants and staff by preventing any misunderstandings upfront and outlining the
program’s expectations of its participants. The Code of Conduct is also intended to support
the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads’ broader goal of ethical interactions and
productive collaboration with local communities during fieldwork. Thus, all program
participants must read and sign the Code of Conduct in order to be eligible to participate in
the 2015 field season. In the event of a Participant’s withdrawal or expulsion from the
Southern Bulgan Province program for reasons listed in the Code of Conduct, the Participant
will forfeit his/her contribution and be personally responsible for all associated expenses,
including but not limited to local transportation costs. Print your name below, read through
the entire Code of Conduct, and date, print name, and sign below to indicate that you accept
the Code of Conduct and will follow its contents throughout your participation in the CSEN
2015 Southern Bulgan Province field program.
I, , hereafter the Participant, do agree to abide by the following Code of Conduct for participants in the Southern Bulgan Province program as stipulated below:
1. Required documents: the Participant will provide all documents required by Program
Staff as listed in the application form by the dates stipulated therein. In the event that
the Participant fails to present all required documents, the Participant will have to
withdraw from the program.
2. Zero-tolerance policies:
a. The Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads has a zero-tolerance policy
regarding illegal substances, objects, and activities. These include but are
not limited to: participation in the trade of undocumented antiquities, use
or transportation of illegal narcotics, weapons, or remains of endangered
species, and involvement in any aspect of the sex trade. The Participant
consents to follow all official laws and regulations of the nation of
Mongolia while participating in the project. More details of these laws
and regulations can be found at the Embassy of Mongolia to the United
States (http://mongolianembassy.us/) and the US Embassy in Mongolia
(http://mongolia.usembassy.gov/service.html).
3. The Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads has a zero-tolerance policy regarding
violent behavior. Any program participant who engages in violent behavior will
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
31
either be severely reprimanded or immediately required to leave the program,
depending on the severity of the behavior and the judgment of the program staff.
4. The CSEN 2015 Southern Bulgan Province field program is led by two field
instructors: Ms. Emma Hite and Mr. Vanchigdash Chuluunkhuu (hereafter Field
Instructors). The Field Instructors reserve the right to require a Participant to
withdraw at the Participant’s own expense from the program at any time should the
Participant’s behavior, conduct, or condition threaten the health, safety, or welfare of
any program participant, or impede the program’s operation or attainment of its
research objectives.
5. The Participant acknowledges that he/she is responsible for bringing the Required,
selected Recommended, and any personal items needed by the participant with
him/her to Mongolia. The Participant understands that, should he/she fail to have any
of the Required Items by the evening of the first day of his/her session, the Participant
will have to withdraw from the project and forfeit his/her volunteer contribution. As
these items will be essential for the Participant’s health, well-being, and ability to
participate in the program, the Participant agrees that his/her failure to bring all such
items is grounds for withdrawal. The Participant acknowledges that the Required
Items list is not exhaustive and that it is his/her individual responsibility to come to
Mongolia properly prepared for the 2015 field program. Therefore, the Participant
will consult the Recommended Items list, the Field Instructors, CSEN staff, and
his/her own judgment in preparing and bringing all necessary items for participation
in the 2015 field program before departing for Mongolia.
6. The Participant agrees to resolve all conflict, with the assistance of the Field
Instructors and Mongolian support staff, in a productive and reasonable manner while
a team member on the Southern Bulgan Province 2015 CSEN field program
7. The Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads and the Field Instructors are
sympathetic to the stresses associated with archaeological fieldwork and travel in
rural Mongolia. However, Participant understands that it is not acceptable to make
negative or hostile statements, engage in negative, hostile, or aggressive behaviors, or
to take his/her emotions out on other program participants, program staff, or members
of the local community. 8. The CSEN 2015 field program is safe-space and a
harassment-free educational expedition. While there are cultural differences between
Mongolia and the US, the Field Instructors will do their best to prevent harassing or
discriminatory speech or behavior from all program participants, including the
Participant, and to reprimand or expel serious or serial offenders from the program.
CSEN: Southern Bulgan Province Program 2015
32
8. The Participant promises to maintain a positive attitude, a flexible approach, and a
good work ethic to the best of his/her abilities throughout the Southern Bulgan
Province program. The Participant acknowledges that fieldwork is a stressful
undertaking and that the unpredictable conditions in rural Mongolia can exacerbate
such stressors. Therefore, the Participant will comport him/herself in a friendly,
polite manner towards all other field program participants and staff, and members of
the local community irrespective of whether it is a difficult day or if the Participant is
not feeling his/her best.
9. The Participant agrees to be on his/her best behavior when interacting with members
of the local herding communities in rural Mongolia. The Participant pledges to abide
by the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads’ overarching commitment to ethical
and friendly interactions with our Mongolian hosts.
10. The Participant will inform the Field Instructors in the event that he/she feels unwell
or has experienced an injury. The CSEN 2015 field program is not equipped with a
medic but intends to provide its participants with some basic medical care, such as
Band-Aids, an emergency blanket, and antiseptic wipes. It is therefore in the
Participant’s interest to bring a personal basic First-Aid kit. The Participant must
immediately inform the Field Instructors and Mongolian support staff of any injury,
health issues, or concerns. The field program staff will do their best to stabilize the
Participant for his/her transportation back to Ulaanbaatar, where better medical care is
available. However, the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads, Field Instructors,
and Mongolian support staff are not liable for any accidents or illnesses that befall the
Participant during the program. Any costs or expenses associated with a CSEN field
program participant falling ill, getting injured, or having an accident during the course
of transportation or their participation in the program will be his/her sole
responsibility.
11. The Participant has read, understood, and signed the Waiver/Release and Assumption
of Risk form, which contains more information on this point.
I, the above-named Participant, have read through the Code of Conduct for the CSEN 2015
Southern Bulgan Province field program in Mongolia in its entirety. I understand all of its
contents and hereby agree to abide by the Code of Conduct for the duration of my
participation in the CSEN field program. I understand and agree that my violation of the
Code of Conduct is grounds for reprimand or even expulsion from the program depending on
the severity of the offense and the judgment of the Field Instructors. I have already addressed