IN MEMORY OF FRIEND, COMRADE, AND COLLEAGUE LKHAGVASURENGIIN ERDENEBOLD
(30.06.1977–16.03.2026)
IN MEMORY OF FRIEND, COMRADE,
AND COLLEAGUE LKHAGVASURENGIIN ERDENEBOLD
(30.06.1977–16.03.2026)
On March 23, 2026, the Mongolian academic community bid farewell to the Director of the Institute of History and Ethnology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (IHE MAS), Ph.D., Associate Professor Lkhagvasurengiin Erdenebold. This event was a profound shock for his family, loved ones, relatives, colleagues, and friends. The unexpected and untimely passing of a young, promising, 48-year-old head of an academic institute was an irreplaceable loss for the scientific community of Mongolia. Great hopes were placed on him for the further development of historical science in the country and the active promotion of Mongolian studies abroad. Dr. L. Erdenebold was a member of the editorial board since the founding of our journal «Eastern Azimuth: Economics, Sociology, Ethnology,» participated in advisory and expert activities, and paid great attention to issues of Mongolian studies in both historical and contemporary aspects. He lived a bright, interesting, but short life.
L. Erdenebold was born on June 30, 1977, in Ulaanbaatar. From 1995 to 1999, he was a student at the Mongolian State University of Education, graduating with a degree in «historian and history teacher.» In 2001, he earned a master’s degree in history. In 2005, he defended his dissertation on history at the Institute for Mongolian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMTBS SB RAS), and in 2014, he was awarded the academic title of Associate Professor.
From 1999 to 2002, L. Erdenebold worked as a research fellow at the Institute of History of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences; from 2002 to 2005, he was a postgraduate student at IMTBS SB RAS; from 2005 to 2009, a research fellow at the National Museum of Mongolian History; from 2009 to 2025, a senior lecturer and associate professor at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST – SHUTIS); and from January 2025, Director of the Institute of History and Ethnology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.
L. Erdenebold left a deep mark on the scientific world. He began his research with the study of traditional cults and historical-ethnographic processes of the Oirat-Mongols and devoted 30 years of his life to continuous research on the history and archaeology of ancient Mongolian states. Dr. L. Erdenebold was a tireless and professional researcher, writing and publishing 5 sole-authored monographs, 40 collective monographs, authoring 147 scientific articles, 128 reports at all-Mongolian and international conferences, 19 works published under his editorship, and writing over 200 scientific reports. His works have been published in many languages, including English, Austrian, Japanese, Korean, German, Turkish, and Chinese.
In addition to his scientific work, he taught the history of Mongolia, ethnography, and archaeology at the history departments of Mongolian universities since 1999. From 2009, he taught at MUST; under his supervision, more than 20 bachelor’s theses, over 10 master’s dissertations, and one doctoral dissertation were successfully defended. During his years at the university, his teaching talent fully blossomed; he enjoyed unquestionable authority among his fellow faculty members and earned well-deserved respect from his listeners and students. At his university, he organized a group of young followers passionate about the history and archaeology of Mongolia, who worthily continue the work of their mentor. During his work at SHUTIS, in close collaboration with colleagues from the scientific community, he simultaneously established himself as a scientist, an excellent lecturer, and an organizer of science, capable of combining all the qualities of a leader in teamwork.
Since his student years, L. Erdenebold was seriously passionate about historical science. At the beginning of his life’s journey, the stars of his destiny aligned with the archaeology and ethnology of the Mongolian world, still full of unexplored pages and new discoveries. Annually, L. Erdenebold participated in field archaeological expeditions starting from the mid-1990s. Numerous field seasons were conducted jointly with colleagues from Russia, China, Hungary, South Korea, Japan, the USA, Turkey, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Kazakhstan. The results of his archaeological work were repeatedly covered in the media and discussed at international scientific events. He approached his assigned work front very responsibly, carefully, and meticulously, especially the preparation of reports on the results of scientific research, expert assessments, and field expeditions. Over more than 30 years of work in the field of history and archaeology, he earned a reputation as an authoritative and competent specialist and a professional in his field in Mongolia and far beyond its borders.
He made a valuable contribution to the development of archaeological research and successfully implemented numerous projects and programs at the Institute of History and Ethnology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, and the National Museum of Genghis Khan. Within the framework of the Mongolian-Japanese project «Bichées» that he led, large-scale studies were conducted in the 13th-century city of Chingai (Khalzan Shireg); in 2011, the «Shoron-Bumbagar» tomb, associated with ancient Turkic history, was discovered in Bayannuur soum, Bulgan aimag; and in Tuvshinshire, Sükhbaatar aimag, the «Oortsog Mountain Tomb Complex» was found. In 2025, a Mongolian-Japanese research team under his leadership discovered and excavated new relics of large and small Khitan inscriptions on Mount Naidag in Dashinchilen soum, Bulgan aimag. These studies represent significant discoveries in Mongolian and global archaeological science.
In 2011, Lkhagvasürengiin Erdenebold was awarded the «Golden Rose» as the outstanding scientist of the year for his substantial contribution to the development of archaeological science in Mongolia. The reason for receiving such a high state award was the results of the 2011 archaeological excavation season. As a result, valuable historical finds from those field excavations are located in the National Museum of Genghis Khan, on the 4th floor in the center of the exhibition hall.
Lkhagvasürengiin Erdenebold’s professional development stage was connected with Russia; he paid great attention to developing friendly relations between Mongolian and Russian scientists. During his full-time postgraduate studies at the Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMBTS SB RAS) from 2002 to 2005, under the scientific supervision of Doctor of Historical Sciences, renowned Buryat archaeologist P. B. Konovalov, he prepared and successfully defended his candidate dissertation on the topic «Traditional Religious Beliefs of the Oirat-Mongols: Late 19th – First Half of the 20th Century.» During his postgraduate years, he gained a wide circle of friends among the institute’s staff and other Russian institutions. After defending his dissertation, he never broke off friendly ties with his Buryat colleagues over the years, regularly meeting them at various scientific platforms and events in Mongolia, Russia, and other countries. Together with Russian scientists, he implemented a number of grant projects and archaeological expeditions to study the historical and cultural heritage of Eurasia, the results of which received universal recognition among colleagues and the international scientific community. For many years, he participated in international scientific events and archaeological excavations with Russian colleagues from various cities – Ulan-Ude, Vladivostok, Kazan, Chita, Irkutsk, Barnaul, and Novosibirsk. In addition to participating in archaeological expeditions, he periodically provided comprehensive scientific-methodological and organizational assistance and support to colleagues from Buryatia during expeditionary research: in 2003 – a sociological study on the social stratification of Mongolian society (Ulaanbaatar, Töv aimag); in 2011 and 2015 – an expedition to study the social effects of the mining industry (Ömnögovi aimag); in 2017 – an expedition to study the state of the Buryat language (Dornod and Khentii aimags). He frequently visited the IMBTS SB RAS on working and friendly visits, maintaining the warmest, friendliest relations with colleagues, friends, and his PhD supervisor P. B. Konovalov. Thanks to his efforts in cooperation with colleagues from the IMBTS SB RAS and the family of S. V. Danilov, a 2-volume edition of selected works by S. V. Danilov was published in Ulaanbaatar. The edition was presented on April 7, 2024, at an expanded meeting of the Academic Council of the IMBTS SB RAS, dedicated to the memory of the prominent Soviet and Russian archaeologist, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor, Honored Scientist of the Republic of Buryatia, Sergei Vladimirovich Danilov. He repeatedly emphasized his loyalty to his alma mater, considering it his duty to participate in projects to perpetuate the outstanding names of the IMBTS SB RAS and support the younger generation of scientists and researchers in various fields of Mongolian studies. Within the framework of the agreement between the IMBTS SB RAS and the Institute of History and Ethnology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, he actively supported the exchange of young researchers. Thus, 3–4 employees from each side undergo internships annually under the internal exchange program. During the internship period, young researchers work on their topics, visit archives and libraries, get acquainted with the language and culture of the host country, participate in scientific seminars, and present their scientific reports to the institution’s scientific community.
Thanks to the constant honing of his scientific skills and consistent professional growth, he participated in the work of commissions and scientific councils on the history and archaeology of Mongolia. High authority and public recognition allowed Lkhagvasurengiin Erdenebold to advance to the position of director of the Institute of History and Ethnology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. In January 2025, based on the election results at the IHE MAS, he was confirmed as director of the institute by a resolution of the Presidium of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. During his short tenure as director, he carried out fruitful work in all areas of the institute’s activities and initiated major scientific projects. Together with authoritative colleagues in historical science and staff of his institute, by decree of the President of Mongolia, they began an unprecedented project to write the history of Mongolia in 30 volumes, where Erdenebold served as secretary of the organizational part of the project and chief editor of the volumes on the history of the Jurchen and Khitan states. He made plans, dreamed of the scientific heights of his institute and public recognition of his team, and further development of international relations with many foreign Mongolian studies centers.
Lkhagvasurengiin Erdenebold will be remembered among close ones and friends for his open, cheerful nature, sparkling jokes, goodwill, and readiness to help and come to the aid at any time. The editorial board of the journal «Eastern Azimuth: Economics, Sociology, Ethnology» and the staff of the IMBT SB RAS deeply mourn and express condolences to the family, close ones, and relatives on the untimely passing of the member of the editorial board of our journal, Dr. Lkhagvasurengiin Erdenebold. The bright memory of the scientist and wonderful person will forever remain in our hearts.
D. D. Badaraev, Editor-in-Chief,
and the editorial staff of the online scientific journal
«Eastern Azimuth: Economics, Sociology, Ethnology»,
Sampildondovyn Chuluun, Academician of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences,
Director of the National Museum of Genghis Khan,
the staff of the IMBT SB RAS
