Home Region:  Mongolia (Central and Northern Eurasia)

Early Xiongnu

1400 BCE 300 BCE
D G SC WF RG EQ 2020  mn_hunnu_early / MnXngnE
Preceding Entity:
No Polity found. Add one here.

Succeeding Entity: Add one more here.
209 BCE 60 BCE Xiongnu Imperial Confederation (mn_hunnu_emp)    [continuity]


  General Description   The Orkhon Valley is located on either side of the Orkhon River, in north-central Mongolia. Here, we are interested in the phase of its prehistory in the millennium preceding the establishment of the Xiongnu empire, that is, 1400-300 BCE. Unfortunately, very little is known about this period, [1] though Chinese historians note that at the very end of this period the Xiongnu were one of three major steppe confederations in Mongolia more widely. [2]
No population estimates could be found specifically for the an average independent political unit in the Orkhon Valley at this time, though it is worth noting that, according to McEvedy and Jones (1978), the total population of Siberia and Mongolia in this period did not exceed 400,000. [3] Similarly, no information could be found on political organization at this time.

[1]: (Yu 1990, 118)

[2]: (Rogers 2012, 220)

[3]: (McEvedy and Jones 1978, 160-156) McEvedy, Colin. Jones, Richard. 1978. Atlas of World Population History. Penguin Books Ltd. London.

General Variables
Identity and Location
Temporal Bounds
Political and Cultural Relations
Language
Religion
Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale
Hierarchical Complexity
Professions
Bureaucracy Characteristics
Law
Specialized Buildings: polity owned
Transport Infrastructure
Special-purpose Sites
Information / Writing System
Information / Kinds of Written Documents
Information / Money
Information / Postal System
Information / Measurement System
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications
Military use of Metals
Projectiles
Handheld weapons
Animals used in warfare
Armor
Naval technology
Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.
Crisis Consequences Coding in Progress.
Power Transitions Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early) was in:
 (1400 BCE 300 BCE)   Orkhon Valley
Home NGA: Orkhon Valley
General Variables
Identity and Location Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Original Name Early Xiongnu Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Temporal Bounds Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Duration [1400 BCE ➜ 300 BCE] Confident
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Political and Cultural Relations Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Supracultural Entity Early Nomadic Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Succeeding Entity Xiongnu Imperial Confederation Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Succeeding Entity
209 BCE 60 BCE
Xiongnu Imperial Confederation (mn_hunnu_emp)   [continuity]  Confident
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Language Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Linguistic Family Turkic Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Language Xiongnu Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Religion Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Polity Territory [350,000 to 700,000] km2 Confident 1400 BCE 500 BCE
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Polity Territory [700,000 to 1,400,000] km2 Confident 400 BCE 300 BCE
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Polity Population [25,000 to 50,000] people Confident 1400 BCE 500 BCE
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Polity Population [50,000 to 100,000] people Confident 400 BCE 300 BCE
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Hierarchical Complexity Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Settlement Hierarchy 1 Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Religious Level 1 Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Military Level [3 to 4] Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Administrative Level [2 to 3] Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Professions Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Soldier Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Professional Priesthood Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Professional Military Officer Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Bureaucracy Characteristics Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Government Building Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Merit Promotion Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Full Time Bureaucrat Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Examination System Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Law Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Lawyer Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Judge Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Uncoded Undecided 1400 BCE  300 BCE
Court Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Specialized Buildings: polity owned Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Market Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Irrigation System Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Drinking Water Supply System Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Transport Infrastructure Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Road Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Port Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Canal Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Bridge Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Special-purpose Sites Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Information / Writing System Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Written Record Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Script Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Phonetic Alphabetic Writing Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Nonwritten Record Present Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Non Phonetic Writing Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Mnemonic Device Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Information / Kinds of Written Documents Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Scientific Literature Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Sacred Text Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Religious Literature Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Practical Literature Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Philosophy Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Lists Tables and Classification Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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History Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Fiction Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Calendar Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Information / Money Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Token Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Precious Metal Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Paper Currency Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Indigenous Coin Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Foreign Coin Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Article Present Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Information / Postal System Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Postal Station Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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General Postal Service Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Courier Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Information / Measurement System Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Stone Walls Non Mortared Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Stone Walls Mortared Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Settlements in a Defensive Position Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Modern Fortification Absent Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Moat Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Fortified Camp Present Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Earth Rampart Present Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Ditch Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Complex Fortification Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Long Wall unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Military use of Metals Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Steel Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Iron Absent Inferred 1300 BCE 701 BCE
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Iron Present Confident 700 BCE 300 BCE
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Copper Present Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Bronze Present Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Projectiles Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Tension Siege Engine Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Sling Siege Engine Absent Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Sling Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Self Bow Present Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Javelin Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Handheld Firearm Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Gunpowder Siege Artillery Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Crossbow Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Composite Bow Absent Inferred 1300 BCE 501 BCE
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Composite Bow Present Confident 500 BCE 300 BCE
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Atlatl Absent Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Handheld weapons Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
War Club Unknown Suspected 1300 BCE 701 BCE
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War Club Present Confident 700 BCE 300 BCE
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Sword Present Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Spear Unknown Suspected 1300 BCE 701 BCE
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Spear Present Confident 700 BCE 300 BCE
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Polearm Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Dagger Present Confident 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Battle Axe Unknown Suspected 1300 BCE 701 BCE
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Battle Axe Present Confident 700 BCE 300 BCE
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Animals used in warfare Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Horse Absent Confident 1300 BCE 701 BCE
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Horse Present Confident 700 BCE 300 BCE
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Elephant Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Donkey Unknown Suspected 1300 BCE 701 BCE
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Donkey Present Inferred 700 BCE 300 BCE
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Dog Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Camel Unknown Suspected 1300 BCE 701 BCE
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Camel Present Inferred 700 BCE 300 BCE
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Armor Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wood Bark Etc Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Shield Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Scaled Armor Unknown Suspected 1300 BCE 501 BCE
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Scaled Armor Present Confident 500 BCE 300 BCE
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Plate Armor Unknown Suspected 1300 BCE 501 BCE
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Plate Armor Present Confident 500 BCE 300 BCE
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Limb Protection Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Leather Cloth Unknown Suspected 1300 BCE 701 BCE
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Leather Cloth Present Confident 700 BCE 300 BCE
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Laminar Armor Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Helmet Unknown Suspected 1300 BCE 501 BCE
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Helmet Present Confident 500 BCE 300 BCE
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Chainmail Present Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Breastplate Unknown Suspected 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Naval technology Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Military Vessel Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Small Vessels Canoes Etc Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Moralizing Enforcement is Broad Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Moralizing Supernatural Concern is Primary Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Agentic Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement in This Life Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Moralizing Supernatural Punishment And Reward Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Commoners Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Targeted Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement in Afterlife Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Elites Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement of Rulers Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Certain Absent Inferred 1400 BCE  300 BCE
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Human Sacrifice Early Xiongnu (mn_hunnu_early)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Crisis Cases
View all Crisis Cases
Instability Data
Power Transitions
View all Power Transitions