Predecessors of the Mongol Yurt (Felt Tent)

Timeline

1. c. 1–200Mongolian Plateau · Mongolian steppeChinese historical records and archaeological remains show that the Xiongnu used round felt tents with wooden lattice walls and felt-covered roofs, quickly assembled and disassembled as tribes migrated.
2. c. 200–350Steppe north of the desert · Mongolian steppeDuring the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, peoples such as the Xianbei continued the felt tent tradition; some groups migrating southward still retained felt hut customs, reflecting the continuity of steppe architectural culture.
3. c. 350–500Central Asian steppe · Central AsiaCentral Asian nomadic powers such as the Hephthalites used felt tent structures similar to those of the steppe, forming a complementary nomadic–settled dwelling pattern with oasis cities such as Merv.