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Aerial view of Lake Tere-Khol and Por-Bajin island, the Siberian fortress. Source: Por Bajin Cultural Foundation

1,300-Year-Old Fortress Ruins on Siberian Lake Mystifies Experts

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It is one of the most mysterious archaeological sites in Russia – an ancient complex engulfing a small island in the center of a remote lake in the mountains of southern Siberia. At first glance, it appears to be an ancient fortress, its perimeter of high walls constructed to keep out enemies. However, others have proposed the 1,300-year-old structure may have been a summer palace, monastery, memorial complex, ritual center, or astronomical observatory. According to the Siberian Times, more than a century after its rediscovery, experts are no closer to understanding the secrets of these enigmatic ruins.

The archaeological site is known as Por Bajin (also spelt Por-Bazhyn), meaning ‘clay house’. It is located on an island in the middle of Tere-Khol Lake in Tuva, Siberia, just 20 miles (32 km) from the Mongolian border.  First explored in 1891, the site was not excavated until 1957-1963. However, it was not until 2007-2008 that the first large-scale research was undertaken, carried out by the Por Bajin Cultural Foundation.

Aerial view of Lake Tere-Khol and the Por-Bajin Island. The Siberian fortress remains an enigma. (Por-Bajin Fortress Foundation/CC BY 4.0 )

Aerial view of Lake Tere-Khol and the Por-Bajin Island. The Siberian fortress remains an enigma. (Por-Bajin Fortress Foundation/CC BY 4.0 )

What they discovered presented a conundrum – the structure is located in a very remote place on the outskirts of what was the Uighur nomad empire, built with Chinese features, but with no sign of permanent habitation, and abandoned after only a short period of use. 

Why was it built? How was it used? And why was it abandoned? These are the questions that have continued to both fascinate and frustrate experts ever since its discovery.

Excavation trench 2007-2008 through the northern wall of the enclosure (curtain) wall of Por-Bazhyn, showing layers of rammed earth, Chinese hangtu technique. (Irina A. Arzhantseva/CC BY 4.0)

Excavation trench 2007-2008 through the northern wall of the enclosure (curtain) wall of Por-Bazhyn, showing layers of rammed earth, Chinese hangtu technique. (Irina A. Arzhantseva/CC BY 4.0)

The Construction of Por Bajin

Believed to have been constructed in 757 AD, the ancient complex has outer walls that still rise to 40 feet (12 m) in height and inner walls of 3-5 feet (1 – 1.5 m), some still covered with lime plaster painted with horizontal red stripes. A main gate was discovered, opening into two successive courtyards connected by another gate.

The walls enclose an area of about seven acres containing the remains of more than 30 buildings, but with a two-part central structure linked by a covered walkway, which once had a tiled roof and was supported by 36 wooden columns resting on stone bases.

Laser mapping of the site prior to the first major excavation in 2007 helped experts build a 3D model of what the complex might have looked like.

Por-Bajin reconstruction of the fortress seen from the east. (R.A. Vafeev/CC BY 4.0)

Por-Bajin reconstruction of the fortress seen from the east. (R.A. Vafeev/CC BY 4.0)     

Only a small number of artifacts were ever recovered from the site. If it had been permanently inhabited one would expect to find a much greater number of items.  There was also no evidence of any kind of heating system, which would have made it impossible to stay there, at 2,300 meters (7545.93ft) above sea level, in winter conditions.

Tile with apotropaic dragon image in the Chinese style, found during excavations. (Por-Bajin Fortress Foundation/CC BY 4.0)

Tile with apotropaic dragon image in the Chinese style, found during excavations. (Por-Bajin Fortress Foundation/CC BY 4.0)

Finial for roof tiles in Chinese style, found at Por-Bazhyn during excavations in 2007. (Por-Bajin Fortress Foundation/CC BY 4.0)

Finial for roof tiles in Chinese style, found at Por-Bazhyn during excavations in 2007. (Por-Bajin Fortress Foundation/CC BY 4.0)

The main finds include clay tablets of human feet, faded colored drawings, and fragments of burnt wood, roof tiles, an iron dagger, a stone chalice, one silver earring, and iron construction nails. None of the artifacts provide a definitive answer as to why the structure was built, and how it was used.

The Origins and Purpose of Por Bajin

Since the end of the 19  th century, Por-Bajin has been linked to the Uighur Khagante nomadic empire (744 – 840 AD), composed of nomadic Turkic-speaking people held together by forces of warriors on horseback. The empire spanned Mongolia and southern Siberia, however, the location of Por Bajin was still well away from settlements and trade routes. Why would they build in such a remote location? Could it have been the site of a palace or a memorial for a ruler? The unique layout, more ornate than that of other Uighur fortresses of the period, has led some scholars to suggest that it might have had a ritual role.

Still, there are some other puzzling features. The architecture reflects a distinctive Chinese style, as evidenced by the use of Chinese building materials, such as certain types of roof tiles, and the use of Chinese construction methods. The layout, with its axial planning, dominant central building, and residential quarters is consistent with styles seen in other Buddhist monasteries. But Por-Bajin shows no evidence of religious practice.

Por-Bazhyn's Potential as a Manichaean Monastery

Recent research from 2020, conducted by the Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy, has proposed that Por-Bazhyn was a seasonal Manichaean monastery constructed during the rule of Tengri Bögü Khan, the Third khagan of Uyghurs. During his reign, Bögü Khan adopted Manichaeism as the state religion of the Uyghur Khaganate in AD 763. The monastery was swiftly abandoned after Bögü Khan's assassination in AD 779, likely due to an anti-Manichaean uprising led by fervent Tengriists, which explains the absence of an occupation layer. For now, Por Bajin remains one of Russia’s enduring mysteries.

Top image: Aerial view of Lake Tere-Khol and Por-Bajin island, the Siberian fortress. Source: Por Bajin Cultural Foundation

 By Joanna Gillan

References

Lambie, D. 2014.  Who built this Siberian summer palace… and why?  Available at: https://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/features/f0009-who-built-this-siberian-summer-palace-and-why/

Arzhanstseva et al. 2011.  Por Bajin: An Enigmatic Site of the Uighurs in Southern Siberia. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/1905350/PorBajin_An_Enigmatic_Site_of_the_Uighurs_in_Southern_Siberia

Harke, H.  Letter from Siberia: Fortress of Solitude.  Available at: https://archive.archaeology.org/1011/etc/letter.html

Milligan, M. 2021. Por-bazhyn – the Mysterious Island fortress in Siberia. Available at: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/por-bazhyn-the-mysterious-island-fortress-in-siberia/138434

 

Comments

thanks this is where Iran old king (jam-shid, avestan: yama mean twin) flee after lose his kingdom to enemy (persian: zahhak / av. azhi dahaka mean dragon / snake), he left to island in middle of Chinese lake!
it wasn't permament and destory years after build, when soldiers of azhi dahake find yama
now, we now our history more.
thank you

I looked around wondering what would be attractive about this area and came up with this. At 50.557084 98.014940, 20 kilometers east of Kungurtug appears to be an eroded pyramid surrounded by a watercourse. What appears to be a natural circular formation starts to look like an eroded 4 sided pyramid as you come in closer. It reminds of the ones in China. It looks roughly to be 400 x 400 meters. There is a village almost half way between Kungurtug and the suspicious mound. Also Por Bajin sits on the northeast corner of a quite remarkable looking mountain range. Probably host to monasteries and such.

Um actually archaeologists used carbon dating to know when it was built. They were also able to identify that it was built most likely as a monastery around the time that the emperor converted to the Chinese religion. It was actually abandoned as a result of an earthquake and a severe fire.

An archaeological site free of typical items of everyday life or ritualistic activities is usually associated with looting, but that's probably not the case here. In fact, even swift abandonment would likely leave evidence in terms of things left behind. This leads me to think that this place was deliberately maintain in a clean, minimal circumstance: after periodic use—whether for religious ceremonies or political meetings—everything portable to make the establishment habitable, comfortable, and functional was taken away on the same boats that brought it for whatever purpose. That would make the compound worthless to looters or even squatters since it would require quite a bit of ambition by the occasional intruders to get there.

That big round tile in pic looks strikingly resembles the device in star trek episode, "Dagger of the mind'.
Hmmm but was this one electrical ? Hope archeologists could laser map the pieces and reconstruct them, see what that um, device was.. Perhaps a cool looking alter..

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Joanna

Joanna Gillan is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. 

Joanna completed a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree in Australia and published research in the field of Educational Psychology. She has a rich and varied career, ranging from teaching... Read More

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