The opening of the open-air museum “Ust-Sos” took place in 2010. The museum is a whole complex of ethnographic, archaeological and historical monuments. Plus, the landscape surrounding the museum is interesting and unique. The small village of Ust-Sos, where the museum is located, celebrated its 300th anniversary this year.
The main exhibit of the museum is a stone statue of the Okunev archaeological era "Khurtuyakh tas Palazy - Altyn Archol". The history of this menhir is closely connected with the well-known legend about the stone statue Ulug Khurtuyakh tas. In 2000, a local fisherman discovered a stone with a mask on the banks of the Abakan River. Comparing all the facts and the location of the finding, he suggested that the statue was the petrified son of the Great Stone Mother Ulug Khurtuyakh tas. That was later confirmed by the shamans. In addition to Khurtuyakh tas Palazy, on the territory of the museum there is a yurt complex hosting expositions that are the clearest example of the traditional culture and life of the Khakas people, as well as the reconstruction of two steles with samples of the Orkhon-Yenisei runic writing of the IX-XI centuries.
The surroundings of the museum are also interesting in terms of studying the history, culture and life of the Khakas people. In the immediate vicinity of the Ust-Sos Museum there are several ancient burial grounds with petroglyphs inscribed on them. Behind the stream Sos, 4 kilometers from the museum, there is a picturesque mountain Khyzyl-Khaya with well-preserved petroglyphic drawings. The mountain offers a magnificent view of the wide valley of the Abakan River, as well as the legendary “Golden Lake” Altyn Kel, the habitat of the rare birds – flamingoes.
The museum regularly hosts various events, including the degustation of national dishes, various workshops and competitions, all national and republican holidays celebrations. Every year, the museum hosts a two-day event called “Summer Solstice”. On this day, shamans perform rites of worship to the sun, feed the sacred fire. The guests of the holiday can participate in the preparation of national dishes, enjoy the enchanting sounds of the chatkhan, and take part in national games.
Upon prior request, museum visitors can order a ceremony of meeting according to national traditions with tying “chalam” ribbons and refreshments, workshops in national embroidery, making amulets, and throat singing. Khakass folk sports games are especially popular with guests - archery, raising a stone Khapchan-tas, belt wrestling, throwing a lasso, as well as the ancient dice game Khazykh Atyzakh and divination using an ancient book of divination from the IXth century. By agreement with the administration of the museum, you can order a degustation of national dishes: Ugra, Talgan, Potkhe, Myun, Ayran, Tutpys and others, as well as take part in their preparation. Guests are always welcome at the Ust-Sos Museum, where they will be surrounded with genuine cordiality and hospitality.
