Mongolian Yurt (Felt Tent)

Timeline

1. 1200–1250Mongolian Plateau · Mongolian PlateauThe Mongolian yurt uses an extensible lattice wall (hana), a roof ring (tono), and radiating roof poles as its frame, covered with sheep's wool felt, with the door facing southeast for wind protection and light; a household could assemble or disassemble it within hours, fitting the nomadic rhythm of following water and pasture.
2. 1251–1260Orkhon Valley · Orkhon ValleyKhan Möngke set up a winter camp in the Orkhon Valley, where a large cluster of khanal tents formed a mobile court (ordo) that could hold thousands; in 1260 Kublai Khan likewise used a cluster of yurts as a military-political hub when he moved north to Kaiping, making the yurt the material carrier of the empire's highest seat of power.
3. 1253–1260Central Asian steppe · Steppe zoneWestern campaign forces and the relay station system set up yurt camps along their routes, forming a mobile network of housing and storage that traveled with the army; the modular nature of the yurt gave Mongol forces logistical flexibility on long campaigns, supporting transcontinental military operations.