Nomad Blacksmithing 1: How Steppe Nomads Worked Metal

[@nenenindonu]

Interestingly the early Göktürks were blacksmiths serving for the Rouran Khanate and toppled the whole empire after it's ruler rejected to marry off his princess daughter and humiliated them for their inferior status

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Yes! That's discussed in the next video in this series as well.

[@nenenindonu]

Jurchens (can be arguably classified as militarily nomadic) were also excellent Eurasian blacksmiths specialized in producing some of the best body armor of the Middle Ages

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Iron Pagoda! What a frightening unit to face in the field.

[@dugzamilza5212]

From Joseon literature you could see their advanced military arsenals.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

How did medieval Eurasian steppe nomads -Mongols, Xiongnu, Scythians, Huns, Magyars, Turks and more- produce metal weapons and armour? Could they? What did these furnaces look like? How did they supply them? In this first part in a 3-part series, we give an overview on this matter and answer as many of these questions as we can. Part 2: From the Xiongnu to the Türks kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGbYk4mGmseth5o Part 3: Khitans and Mongol Empire kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHbHq5WEipiteLM 01:44 Organization of Steppe Societies 03:40 Cities of the Steppe 07:15 Earliest Evidence for Steppe Metallurgy 09:34 Extraction and Production 12:26 Fuel, Charcoal and Estimates Sources: docs.google.com/document/d/1lLOBWh1lRINBGlAuedyR5xQEWVolRmCgsvg0GMZw10s/edit?usp=sharing

[@Teapoid]

I know you’re a specifically Eurasian steppe creator could you do a video on the North American steppe peoples? Especially what we know about the prehistory of peoples like the Lakota.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Would be a fascinating topic and I would love to them justice, but unlikely as I just don't have the research background on them, and don't want to make it seem like Lakota, for instance, are totally analogous to Eurasian steppe nomads (as would be implied by having my channel cover them). There are similarities in some respects, but I think they tend to be more superficial than anything.

[@billdehappy1]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory think alot is cause of the europeans like horses for example the pueblos stole by the spanish they even simiular to the eurasian nomads in most regards tbh

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

@@billdehappy1 Yes that's a good point; the adoption of a vaguely-similar "steppe nomadism" in the American Great Plain/Canadian Prairies was a very recent thing. Perhaps if given more time to develop it would have become much more similar to the Eurasian counterpart. The process itself was rapidly transforming throughout this period. It's something really fascinating all on its own, and it deserves dedicated attention rather than an attempt at comparison from me who only knows very little about it. At least not without substantial more reading on my part.

[@woff1959]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory May I add something to this thread? The big difference between the Plains Indians and the Eurasian steppe peoples is the former remained hunter-gatherers, relying on the 'buffalo' (actually bison) and hunting them, while the Eurasian nomads hereded sheep, goats, horses and cows, among others. It isn't possible to herd wild animals like bison. So despite surface similarites, these were two different lifeways..

[@AngryHistorian87]

I always wondered about how nomads conducted blacksmithing. Thanks for making this video, Jackmeister.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I am pleased you enjoyed it! It was a question I have been asked for years but had never felt equipped to answer properly until now.

[@suukkun]

I'm from Turkiye and i love this video about how my ancestors lived. It really is crazy how my ancestors moved from east of asia to land of the romans, thousands of kilometers. Especially, after i took dna test and discovered im closer to kazakhs, mongols, north chinese and siberians, they started to get my attention even more. Ps. My ydna haplogroup is c-m217. Sincerely, proud nomad from the land of the Romans.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Hoş geldin! I am very happy you enjoyed it and can take pride in your ancestors.

[@Reader_curiosity]

A beautiful and engaging presentation about the Eastern Steppe civilization. Unfortunately, some people make a false comparison between geographical areas characterized by extremely harsh climates, scarcity of resources, and afflicted by long droughts, such as the eastern steppes, with other regions that enjoy a moderate climate, abundance of resources, and the like in the Middle East, the Mediterranean Basin, the Indo-Gangetic Plain, North China Plain, and others. This comparison is rejected in the scientific method. For each geographical region, a specific civilized pattern appears that adapts to its circumstances and historical contexts. There is something like a consensus in the scientific community to recognize the existence of a group of oases in the eastern steppes spread between the Gobi Desert, the Ordos Desert, the Orkhon River, the Toul River, and others. As for the cities in the eastern steppes, historical and archaeological research and studies have shown that city building appeared in the eastern steppes since the Xiongnu era, through the eras of Tabgach, Rouran, Gokturk, Uygur, Khitan, and the Chinggisid dynasty. In the era of the Chinggisid Empire, a group of cities, castles and palaces were built in the eastern steppes, and the city of Qaraqum in the Orkhon River was not the only one. There is also the city of Khar Khul Khaany Balgas in the Khanui Valley, the city of Shangdu built by Kubla Khan, the city of Khara Khoto, and the cities of the Christian Ongud tribe, among others. The construction of cities in the steppe did not stop after the end of the Chingizid Empire. In the fifteenth century, Tibetan Buddhism spread among the inhabitants of the Mongolian steppes and became the official religion of the rulers and the people. In 1557 Altan Khan founded the city of Hohhot. There has been an expansion in the construction of Buddhist monasteries in the Mongolian steppe since the fifteenth century, when hundreds of monasteries were built, and some of these monasteries served as a monastery city, as they included a large monastery, residential complexes, and a large population of about 15,000 people enrolled in the monastery. The capital, Ulaanbaatar, developed from the city of Örgöö. The Dzungar Khanate, the last powerful kingdom in the eastern steppe, built many cities in the steppe and was able to produce cannons and missiles and develop a complex industry and economy.

[@e.d.bibbins3858]

Extremely sexy of you to make this video. The first few minutes were a great introduction to the functuoning of steppe polities. Shoutout to Scythian goldsmiths for starting all this, their craftsmanship is EXQUISITE and we may actually be losing artifacts to looting and shelling in the war on Ukraine. I was under the impression that Uyghur was pronounced "wee-ger" have I been mislead? If you havent already checked it out the Nomads & Empires podcast is a chronological look at steppe polities run by a graduate student in the field that I highly recommend. Have a good one and thanks for the video!

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Thank you! Regarding the pronunciation of Uyghur, you can here a Uyghur person explaining it here: twitter.com/JewherIlham/status/1631683727372812296?s=20 I tried my best to do it here but I didn't quite get it, but wee-ger is, I believe, some sort of mix-up from French. I do know Nomads and Empires! We interact every so often on Twitter.

[@raritica8409]

Your channel is so good bro.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Thank you very much!

[@woff1959]

That's really good and very necessary. I have dealt in depth with Magyar iron-smelting sites using bog-iron and three different furnace types. Avars also used them and of course, so did the other nomads and semi-nomads. Great that you're looking at this!

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

The Magyars are a great example. The Digitalis Legendarium film came out while I was still writing this and was a very useful comparison. Kind of definitive proof for me about how all nomads were capable of this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iovNZn99f9eSf9k

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Had I much more time I would love to read more into the history and archaeology of the early Magyars: I bet there is some absolutely fascinating material there.

[@woff1959]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory There is. When you have time and if you want more detail, message me and I can link you up with a large body of material, some of it in English. I've added to this material myself and am working on a scholarly article which touches on their widespread iron-working. They were pretty amazing gold-and-silversmiths, too.

[@legendsson]

Just downloaded from the schytians book you referenced in your description.Appriciated your enthusiasm with steppe people.We share that interest brother also thanks a lot for sharing your sources.Hardly any KZbin chanel confidently share and you are ahead of them in this aspect and I'm loving aquiring new books on this topic. KZbin should bring restrictions on history chanels to point out their sources.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I am very glad you have had a look at that book; it is a great resource. I find it unfortunate in general how many KZbin channels shy away from their sources even when asked; I suspect many do so either as they do not care, or they are ashamed of their overreliance on a single text.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I personally did so much reading for this one I wish more people liked to look at the bibliography I attached in the description.

[@legendsson]

​@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory There is a book called "Perilous Frontier" by Thomas Barfield I suggest you read that as well.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I did read it, a few years ago. His central argument is a bit out-of-date now (his idea of nomadic empires being in a sort of rise/fall cycle alongside Chinese unification) but it's a nice overview nonetheless if you're looking for one.

[@legendsson]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory which view is up to date now and what book could you suggest regarding the currectly accepted hypothesis

[@hizurumegumi5727]

Thank you for this video, this gives alot of insight to me as well as inspire me more

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I am very happy you enjoyed the series and learned from it, that was always my hope!

[@hizurumegumi5727]

indeed it is a very good series and quite informative

[@egeyaln8223]

I have always wondered the backstory of Turks being good blacksmiths, unfortunately it's not explained in this much detail in school textbooks. Thanks very much for your insights into nomadic lifestyle.

[@i_love_crpg]

you look like a norse chronicler who was reborn in the 21st century to tell us all about steppe people. super underrated channel

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I won't say I'm not...

[@temuguntur_amgalan1639]

I am happy to see such great coverage about nomadic societies. Good work

[@ramibairi5562]

Oh man ! I'm really in love with this channel The amount of info is invaulable and the images are super fantastic

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I am very glad you have enjoyed it, my friend. There will be a few more in this series, and then hopefully I shall finally start writing that long-awaited heavy cavalry script.

[@francisnicolas1819]

Awesome video. I've always heard the Scythians were great metalworkers, but I'd never heard an explanation as in-depth as this. Supposedly, the Scythian animal art style even influenced the art of the Germanic tribes in Europe after the Hunnic invasion. Great stuff.

[@fieldworkr]

Great video! Great Channel! I really Loved the pastoralism explanation, How and why there were designated grazing, and the land sharing with other nomadic pastoralists, the over grazing that sometimes ended in war is very intriguing! I love hearing this stuff

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Very pleased you enjoyed it! I hope everyone was able to learn something from this series. The organization of steppe society is a very important part of understanding them, yet too often they are reduced to simply "small bands wandering hither and yon"

[@fieldworkr]

I wish KZbin would let us download transcripts. This is brilliant

[@zoltannemeth1025]

Thanks for this video from Hungary (Magyarország) 👍

[@paulmears5330]

An excellent survey of the subject, thank you👍

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Thank you for watching, I am happy you enjoyed it!

[@duchessskye4072]

This video is incredibly helpful in building a good understanding of general industry in the steppes, and I am definitely looking forward to the next two parts!!

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I am happy it can be of use!

[@ironmiketyson220]

Jackmiester they say that timur was more ruthless and barbaric in his distruction. Although a muslim himself, he annihilated Baghdad...it would be really cool to make a video on timur vs genghis.

[@thabomuso2575]

Great video. Since we who love history are nowadays spoiled with youtubing historians, a rather picky guy like myself look for these gems of highly specialized history. I have always had many questions regarding metallurgic production in the steppes. Now many of my questions have been answered. I shall instantly watch part 2. Great Job!

[@alexandermenschmaschine5361]

Thank you for the video. It was really a big question for me, how metal tools were produced in stepped and here the answer. Also every time I admire pictures to illustrate the video. They are awesome!

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Very glad you enjoyed! It was often requested so I was pleased to finally get around to making this series.

[@alexandermenschmaschine5361]

​@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory I especially want to emphasize the picture at 13:04. Originally I'm from Siberia and this is a very recognizable landscape. Vally burned out with the Sun, green forest on the mountain slopes, and gray rocks of the pinnacle. Tuva or south Altai...

[@rafael_yorkhan8805]

Nuevoo videoooooo hermanooo!!! Un gustazo recibir la notificación del que será un video de calidad exuberante. Saludos Jack

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

muchas gracias 🙌🙌

[@theghosthero6173]

Very good video answering in detail a question I long had

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I received lots of questions on this over the years, but hesitated to do anything on it until I did a substantial amount more reading. I am happy that other people have found it interesting as well!

[@sasadatomotaka5059]

I listened with great interest.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Thank you!

[@bulganavarzed7031]

Very interesting & informative! Thank you.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I am very glad you found it interesting!

[@hiddenhidden5339]

Something that's underestimated is how important ballistic protection is for steppe warfare. The goal of a horse archer is to be as close to you as he can without being killed. This results in an extremely strong bias towards armor protection across the steppe. So strong that the Western Scythians the Greeks were familiar with, use weaker bows than their cousins to the East. Because if you don't have armor. You die.

[@krimokrimov6050]

Perhaps the reason that the first Turks were blacksmiths is that they lived in the Altai Mountains, where there were large quantities of wood and iron ore compare to the rest of the steppe

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Certainly possible! It's no coincidence that the Altai (meaning "gold," of course, indication of the resources there) remained such an important part of their empire, and succeeding ones as well. I discuss it some more in the video to follow next week.

[@GreMnMlin]

It took me a minute to realise the Devereux being cited was that Bret Devereux lol

[@papazataklaattiranimam]

Another important reason for the success of the Turks was their superior military technology and art of war. These nomads from the steppes could be credited with introducing the age of the horse'. The Turks used iron stirrup and horse- shoes that reinforced their striking power and the stamina of the cavalry, while horse- shoes provided greater mobility to the horse, stirrup gave the soldiers a distinct advantage.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

That is not to say, of course, that the stirrup-less rider was not a threat, by any means. Scythians, Alexander the Great, Huns etc., all fought without stirrups and showed that cavalry was perfectly functional without them.

[@billdehappy1]

interesting...nice video

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Thank you!

[@ElBandito]

This is actually a very unique topic. Perhaps you can also talk about how Chingissid princes were educated. They were not simple barbarian chieftains, for sure.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Oh, that would be a very interesting one actually. It could be traced how this education evolved over time, especially going into the Yuan period. If I get the time I will add that to my list.

[@Shirkinbai]

hello, hope you are doing well. Glad to see your posts after a long break. I read from Rubruk, where he wrote that Genghis Khan was a blacksmith. Rubruk also wrote that the name Temujin literally translates as "Sound of Iron". How do you think this can be a correct translation? At least, if we translate in this direction from the words of Rubruk, then “Chin (шың) is a sound denoting the ringing of iron”, and Timur is iron.

[@dugzamilza5212]

That Rubrik got something really wrong. Black smiths were generation people not just some random guy become DARKHAN (blacksmith) . Son of Esuhei making sword no chance. Temuujin is nothing to do timur, tomor, tanmur more like Temuu Temuul -going forward, ascending. That is 2 cents.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Greetings to you and well wishes for the spring. The association of Temüjin as a blacksmith before his career as a conqueror is a fairly common medieval assumption. It appears in contemporary and slightly texts from the Tangut, Byzantine Empire, Europe, Persians writings in India, Armenian, Mamluk writings etc. Some people assume this can be based on a literal translation of his name, or alternatively an assumption that he (or at least his successors , because most of these claims appear in the decades after his death) willingly adopted imagery of the blacksmith for the ruler, in a similar way to the Göktürk origin mythos where the Khans had been blacksmiths before overthrowing the Rouran. Rubruck himself makes this reference twice; once in the section you refer to here, and in an earlier passage where he says that when he was young, Chinggis had been a black smith who stole sheep from Ong Khan. To quote from the Jackson translation: "There was at this time among the Mo'al tribe a blacksmith, Chingis, who used to rustle what he could of Unc Chan's livestock, to the extent that Unc's herdsmen complained about him to their master. Thereupon Unc gathered an army and invaded Mo' al territory in search of Chingis, who fled among the Tartars and went into hiding there. Unc then withdrew after taking plunder from the Mo'als and the Tartars" Now regarding this sound of iron matter. First of all, Rubruck is reporting what he was told by his interpreters, as he spoke none of the local languages, so these are not his translations, but how someone explained it to him, and then how he chose to render it into Latin. So let's look at the Latin text, where we read "Demugin Cingei idest sonitus ferri. Ipse vocant Chinggis sonitum ferri, quia faber fuit." In Peter Jackson's translation, "Demugin Cingei, that is, the sound of iron -they call Chingis the sound of iron because he was a blacksmith." Rockhill translated it similarly, but with a notable distinction: "Demugin, (or) Chingis 'sound of iron.' " (For they call him Chingis, 'sound of iron,' because he was a blacksmith." Note how he has chosen to replace Cingei with Chinggis; Rockhill I think chose to assume that was Rubruck's intention. It appears that Rubruck was told that name "Chinggis" was derived from chinggine ( from which comes modern Mongolian, chimee, чимээ, a noise/strike, ringing sound), and thus put it together as "temüjin = iron," and čingei= sound/ringing sound" and hence the man's "full" name: Temüjin Chinggis, "sound of ringing iron," like a blacksmith pounding on metal. Essentially it seems that Rubruck was given some sort of folk-etymological explanation for the Khan's name. I think it's really interesting example of the means. In a way, similar to how people today try to find the meaning behind the name.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

This is not to say that Temujin was ever literally a blacksmith; none of the sources closest to his life ever make the claim, and it appears to be a story that began only after his death. Perhaps it too traces to the reign of Ögedei, where there was more effort to adopt certain parts of the old-Turkic imperial legitimacy to add to the Mongol Empire as the state matured (and more and more Turkic-speaking people were brought into the empire). Some of these measures included the formal adoption of Khaghan as title, building Qaraqorum near Ordu-Baliq in the Orkhon Valley, perhaps adapting the wolf-origin myths as well. So, Chinggis Khan in the official propaganda posthumously becomes a blacksmith; not a literal one as seen by people writing in Egypt or Europe, but in a more deliberate homage to old imperial traditions as would have been understood in the steppe.

[@Shirkinbai]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory The Khalkha word "чимээ-Chimee" and the name "Chinggis" are spelled and pronounced quite differently. I recently read an article by scholars of the Khalkha language who were looking for the etymology of the word "Chinggis". In this article, not a word is said about the Khalkha word "Chimee" you mentioned. After reading this article, I realized that Khalkha-speaking scientists do not have an exact answer to this question. I will send you this work by Khalkho-speaking scientists by mail.

[@Shirkinbai]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory you assume that Rubruk under the word "ringing of iron" meant the word "Ching gis". I previously pointed out to you that in the language of the Turks of Central Asia, the words “Шың / Чың - Shing / Ching” mean “ringing of iron”. Also, these words mean the word "highest peak." In general, the Compendium of Chronicles gives a specific etymology of the word "Chinggis", according to which "Ching / Mighty", "gis / ending reinforcing the word Ching". As far as it is known today, there are no similar words in the Khalkha languages, since Russian and Khalkha scientists have not written anything about the presence of similar words in the Khalkha language.

[@acolyte1951]

How many groups were even 'purely' nomadic, if such a thing existed for the major notables?

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I think it is a matter of degrees and what we define as "Pure" nomadism. "Pure nomadism" would imply absolutely no fixed route or anything like that, whereas in the Eurasian steppe the model seems to have always been rather fixed, seasonal migrations between specific pastures. There are simply too many animals involved in this process to make these journeys and find that someone has already grazed down that pasture. Likewise, there was sporadic and small-scale farmland throughout the region which provided important supplementing grains (i.,e millet for broths). For this to work is also requiring a fixed system of routes, so that noone is sending a herd of sheep over those crops before the harvest. So over all any "true nomads" are probably a rather small, poor and powerless group (and probably not one well-liked by its neighbours), whereas any actual steppe empire/khanate/confederation/whatever has to working off of this fixed system. Something like Mobile Pastoralism is a better description than nomadism for the steppe, but nomad as a term is so entrenched it is hard to get rid of.

[@acolyte1951]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory Mobile pastoralism does seem more accurate. I also found it hard to imagine any larger historical entity fitting as a 'true nomad' society.

[@user-lm9zj3tg3s]

An interesting video, maybe you could tell us about the capital of the Mongol Empire - about archaeological research and emerging doubts whether the current city known asKharkhorin is actually the former capital of the Mongols? I read in several sources that no coins from the times of Genghis Khan were found in the ruins of Kharkhorin, I have no idea if this is true... It would be an interesting topic, especially since I see arguments about the fact that the real capital of the Mongols was on the territory of modern Kazakhstan and even in the Volga delta, near Sarai. Thank you!

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I give Qaraqorum and other Chinggisid-era cities in Mongolia more attention in the third video of this series (that will go up in two weeks). But in future I hope to give it its own dedicated video or series, as there is a lot of information on it.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Regarding "doubts" over the ruins.... I have spoken with people who have thought the actual Qaraqorum was in Qazaqstan, Uyghur lands or elsewhere (though Volga Delta is a new one for me). As a rule, every single one of these individuals was totally unfamiliar with any of the scholarship, the excavations on the city or what primary sources had to say on it, and were going off of what where they thought it should be, or rather, where they want it to be. These people tend (though not always) to also argue that modern Mongolians are some later Manchu/Khitan/Chinese migration and are unrelated to 13th century Mongols and Chinggis Khan, and that all extant info on Qaraqorum is some Russian myth or something. By saying that Qaraqorum is not in Mongolia, it serves as "evidence" for that. But the overwhelming evidence demonstrates that the archaeological site at Kharkhorin are to be associated with the medieval city of Qaraqorum. All archaeological evidence from the site; its location (close in proximity to Ordu-Baliq in the Orkhon valley) it's layout, distance from China, material culture, settlement patterns and periods of occupation, all correspond exactly to what is recorded about it in the written sources. The foundations of the large Buddhist temple there began by Ögedei and completed by Möngke also corresponds to written sources and inscriptions, which even included the name of Qaraqorum on them. And there have been a number of coins found in Qaraqorum and the surrounding settlement network; Song Dynasty coins of 12th and 13th century, and silver dirhams bearing Möngke's tamgha. There is basically no doubt in the identification of Qaraqorum; and there is such a mountain of effort to try and identify another city as Qaraqorum that none of the challengers have been able to meet. For instance, none of the archaeological sites of cities in the Golden Horde we associate with the Mongol period show habitation at the time that Qaraqorum was the capital. None of the proponents for a location in Qazaqstan or Uyghur lands have ever proposed, in my interactions with them, any comparable site (or usually they simply they never even name a site, they just want it to be in those areas).

[@jabohonu]

8:40

[@kiyanmyth1734]

Is the background music Hazaragi?

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

If this is the track you asking about, it is the instrumental of a track I got from Epidemic Sound called Hawa e Ghorbat. There is also a version with lyrics which you can listen to here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5rRYYdoaNyFlbc

[@kiyanmyth1734]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory Yes, it is Hazaragi and it suits the video very well 👌

[@jaykatz9785]

Could you describe how the kurultai and election process worked? And who would be eligible for those elections?

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Ah, that's a great for a video! I'll add it to my list!

[@acolyte1951]

14:55 Wouldn't the nomadic lifestyle of these societies play a role in them not being able to supply enough manpower for larger manufacturing projects? Since much of the population might be too busy with a subsistence-like lifestyle and due to various constraints of a period with unfortunate conditions, that it would be difficult for their populations to exceed a 'population limit'? Even though a population limit does not necessarily exist.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Not so much I believe, because these governing systems appear to be rather comfortable with mobilizing manpower to meet these needs. Essentially, we should not be imaging these sorts of larger metallurgical operations and surrounding networks to supply fuel and logistics as things people are necessarily organizing themselves, but instead something overseen, encouraged or actively ordered by the government/khan (who also has the resources to back up this enforcement via armed troops, or to attract skilled people from elsewhere to help manage and run these things) More specific examples of this will be shown in the following video in this series next week which may help you visualize it.

[@acolyte1951]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory thank you that makes sense, looking forward for the next video

[@user-vz1zc3fn7o]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory I also get the impression that this issue is not intrinsically different from the settled societies, where the vast majority of the population is busy with agriculture. Doesn't seem to stop them.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Good point! Importantly, all blacksmithing and weapon making efforts everywhere required rather large networks for all the reasons noted here; manpower, fuel, raw materials, technical skill means this is never just one man or family doing all this, but an entire system in place. Making a suit of armour is not one person doing, but potentially hundreds of people in a chain, essentially.

[@samueljackson6188]

What books do you recommend?

[@user-my6xd7tk8w]

Why is Kazakhstan written as Qasaqstan?

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

The government of Qazaqstan is working to make the standard romanization of Kazakh as Qazaq and Kazakhstan to Qazaqstan. They are making efforts to introduce a standardized latin alphabet for the language and everyday use to (in theory) gradually replace cyrillic. So the Cyrillic letter Қ used in Қазақстан is officially transliterated as "Q" in this system. Further, in academic writing "qazaq" is the standard romanization for the Turkic word during its usage in other contexts: see here, for example: www.cambridge.org/core/journals/iranian-studies/article/abs/qazaqliq-or-ambitious-brigandage-and-the-formation-of-the-qazaqs-state-and-identity-in-postmongol-central-eurasia-jooyup-lee-studies-in-persian-cultural-history-8-leiden-brill-2016-isbn-9789004306486-hbk-xvi-239-pp/4A08A3D389AA0BB1F8804770A130343F

[@samwill7259]

Shiny rock. You GOTTA have shiny rock. And probably slavery

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Certainly helps the process along!

[@AlMuqaddimahYT]

Anyone ever told you you look like Blonde Hikma History?

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

It came to me once, in a dream

[@wenhowleong]

A little out of topic. I get tickled every time you say "Hion-nu" but start to wonder if you were pronouncing X according to the Russian language.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

If I ever pronounced anything according to Russian language rules, it was only on accident. The semester I took of Russian did not, I am afraid, impart on me much skill in pronunciation.

[@dugzamilza5212]

Turks? It does sound like modern turks. Probably turkich ( tureg) people is better terminology. Hey this was just my opinion no pun intended. Modern day Anatolian turks have no connection with old central Asian nations.

[@Raidon8537]

Turk= Turkic. What do you mean by "Modern Turks"? It does also means people of Central Asia. Dont be stupid. Turkish= people of Turkey. There are Central Asian Turks, Anatolian turks and more.

[@alperromano7847]

I think you have no idea of what you are talking about, although today much less under pressure from modernisation, just travel to Anatolia and see how much nomadic culture still remains (music, food, beliefs). It is also historically well attested.

[@AryaOghuz]

Would you ever consider doing videos on the Iranian nomads of antiquity like the Scythians, Yuezhi, Saka, Sarmatians, Parthians, Massagetae, etc? It’s very hard to get good academic quality information on them

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I am always interested in covering all nomadic peoples if I can. It is more an issue of time on my part than anything. And since I do not have much research background on the earlier steppe peoples it takes much more time to research them (with Mongol stuff I already know authors, sources I want to look at; with Yuezhi, for example, I don't know any of the relevant materials off the top of my head). Though I would love to do it if the opportunity arose, so I won't say I won't ever do it.

[@papazataklaattiranimam]

Yuezhi were actually Tocharian nomads

[@mr.purple1779]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory Tatars have continuity with older nomadic groups. In the sense of not medieval Mongols-Tatars, namely the ethnic group of Tatars - Volga and Siberia. the similarity is so close that part of the ancient samples is even overlapped by the modern population, or shifted north, which is normal, for modernity. kzbin.info/www/bejne/laCqfIGehquVqpI

[@papazataklaattiranimam]

@@mr.purple1779 do you have discord?

[@e.d.bibbins3858]

​@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory The Nomads & Empires podcast is a good overview that cites enough sources to get you started. Much of the contemporaneous literature on the Scythians and related people starts with Herodotus, and Sir Barry Cunliffe has written several books on the archeology of the Scythians and larger Eurasian steppe trade networks