Abstract of a paper titled "History and culture of the early Türkic period: A review of archaeological monuments in the Russian Altai from the 4th–6th century AD":
"The paper deals with the issue of archaeological evidence for relocation of ‘500 Ashina families’ to Altai in AD 460. This event played an important role in the history of Inner Asia. After moving to Altai, the Ashina group teamed up with the local population and took the name ‘Türk’. Here, in the ore-rich region, they engaged in iron production and, as a result, achieved significant economic and military power, which allowed them gaining ample lands and creating a vast empire. Formation of the Türk khaganate marked the beginning of a new historic era, during which the domination in the Asian steppes passed to the nomads of Turkic-speaking states. Archaeological sites show that the burial practices of the pre-Türkic and early Türkic time continued the earlier traditions – together with the deceased person, their horse was laid into the grave. However, in the 5th century, new forms of ritual structures – square stone enclosures – came to the Altai. The new tradition of ritual square enclosures co-existed in the Altai with the traditional ring ritual enclosures until the 7th century. After the 7th century, two types of ritual archaeological sites remain – human burials with a horse under the stone mound (continued old traditions) and memorial square stone enclosures (new tradition). This situation presents the archaeological evidence of mixing of the local people with Ashina group. The immigrants brought the tradition of memorial square structures, and, in turn, took the ancient tradition of Altai human burial with a horse."