I think that part of the attraction of a yurt is the very fact that it is round, as opposed to being rectangular. Some of the most ancient dwellings that were made by mankind have been round in shape, and they are found all over the world.
Even though they are called by different names in different parts of the world, the similarities are incredible. Their round design make them stable in windstorms, and blizzards because the winds tend to just go around them rather than getting caught at the corners and blowing the structure down.
The Navaho have lived for centuries in a round home that is almost identical in structure to a yurt; the main difference being that the yurt was used by nomadic tribes and was portable, while the Navaho hogan was built to remain in one place.
There is also the igloo built by the Eskimos in Alaska, the same rounded shape, just made out of snow and ice rather than clay or felt.
The Mongolian yurt was easy to disassemble and move around, so the nomads could follow the flocks as they searched for new grazing lands.
From what I have read, they also used something similar to a teepee, which was also called a teepee.
All in all , the amazing history of yurts, and the similar structures worldwide makes me really consider the possibility that there was definitely a bridge between the continents early in mankind's history.
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