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Top 10 Things You Must See

Genghis Khan Exhibition Features Diverse and Unique Items

The exhibition features the largest collection ever assembled of the treasures of Genghis Khan, including artifacts from the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, and the National Museum of Mongolian History. More than 200 spectacular objects will be on display, including gold jewelry and ornaments, silk robes, musical instruments, pottery, sophisticated weaponry, and numerous other fascinating relics and elaborate artifacts. Genghis Khan also includes live cultural performances by traditional Mongolian singers and musicians, plus large models of Mongol siege weapons–a massive traction trebuchet and a large triple crossbow.

Below are descriptions of the exhibition’s “must-see” items that help illustrate the story of Genghis Khan and his reign.

1. “Paizia” or Passports
Passports carried by diplomats, merchants, and representatives of the Khan
While known by many as a ruthless warrior, Genghis Khan was also a revered statesman. He was a gifted leader who brought stability and unity to his people, established rule of law, and opened trade and exchange across Asia. These gold, silver, and bronze passports ensured protection of ancient traders and important guests as they traveled along the Silk Road and throughout the empire. © The State Hermitage Museum

 
2. Large Siege Weaponry
Tools to conquer walled cities and castles
Genghis Khan and his descendents built the largest contiguous land empire by using their military prowess. The massive traction trebuchet and a large siege crossbow were both vital to the Mongol’s capture of great walled cities. Large-scale replicas and live weaponry demonstrations are featured in the exhibition. © Denver Museum of Nature & Science

3. Musical Instruments and Live Performers
Traditional stringed instruments
Various instruments, including the morin khuur, or horse-head fiddle, are on display. The fiddle, with its carved horse head and horse tail hair as strings, represents the importance of horses to the Mongol culture. Much of the live, traditional Mongolian performance art featured in the exhibition is connected with the music of the morin khuur. © Denver Museum of Nature & Science

    
 
4. Golden Horde Artifacts
13th- and 14th-century treasures from Russia
Batu, Genghis Khan’s grandson, expanded the Mongol Empire into what is now Russia, Georgia and Eastern Hungary, creating the territory known was the Golden Horde. An extensive Golden Horde collection from the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, is on display in the exhibition. Silver and gold goblets, dishes, spoons, dippers, belt fillings, and jewelry in the exhibition reflect the Mongols' fascination with metals and the skill of their craftsmanship. © The State Hermitage Museum

5. Ger
The traditional nomadic dwelling
The Mongols were nomads on the grassland of Central Asia. Visitors to the exhibition will walk through a model of a ger structure, used as a home during Genghis Khan’s time and even today by one-third of people in modern Mongolia. © Denver Museum of Nature & Science

 
6. Shaman’s Robe
Ritual dress to channel the spirits
Genghis Khan practiced shamanism and believed in the power of the supernatural. The tassels, metal ornaments, and disc-shaped mirrors that cover this sacred dress were to channel spirits to empower the shaman who wore it. © Oktyabri (National Museum of Mongolia)

 

7. Jewelry
Treasures from Karakorum, the ancient Mongol capital
These pieces illustrate the role of Karakorum as a cosmopolitan center for arts, culture, and international trade. This gold bracelet features a phoenix flanked with demon masks. The bronze mold used to make the bracelet was also found, which indicates it was made in the city, possibly by an artisan brought to the capital against his will. © Oktyabri (Institute of Archaeology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences)

 
8. Mongol Weapons
A collection of swords, leather and metal armor, mace-heads, bows and arrows, and an early firearm
An unmatched horse-based cavalry provided the Mongols with unprecedented advantages in battle. This saber was designed for cutting and slashing an opponent during an attack. Mongol warriors valued it especially for its maneuverability from horseback, an improvement over the heavy, straight sword. © Oktyabri (Military Museum of Mongolia)
 

9. Buddhist Relics
Items to represent the religious diversity of Karakorum
All religions were welcome in Karakorum and a large Buddhist temple lay at the heart of the ancient capital. Several Tibetan Buddhist artifacts are on display for this exhibition, including a mask, statue, and artwork. © Denver Museum of Nature & Science

 

 

 
10. Clothing and Adornments
Silk garments and jewelry of Mongol nobles
Various traditional silk dresses and tunics, boots, jewelry, and other adornments were worn by Mongolian nobles living in the ancient Mongol capital of Karakorum and in Kublai Khan’s palace at Beijing. The exhibition features both 19th-century examples and original garments from more than 800 years ago. © Denver Museum of Nature & Science

 

 

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