BY THE ARCHAEOLOGIST EDITOR GROUP
In the heart of Siberia, nestled amidst the tranquil waters of Lake Tere-Khol, lies an architectural enigma that has puzzled historians and archaeologists for centuries: Por-Bazhyn, meaning “clay house”. Often described as the "Siberian Atlantis," this island fortress stands as a testament to the intricate tapestry of Central Asia's history. A hauntingly beautiful ruin, it spans over 3.5 acres, echoing tales of empires long gone and mysteries yet to be unraveled. Join us as we delve deep into the heart of Siberia to explore the legends, architecture, and perplexities surrounding the captivating fortress of Por-Bazhyn.
The word "clay house" is Tuvinian in origin. According to archeological evidence, it was initially constructed as a Uyghur palace in the eighth century AD, changed into a Manichaean monastery soon after, was abandoned after a brief period of habitation, and was ultimately destroyed by an earthquake and fire. Its building techniques demonstrate that Por-Bazhyn was constructed in accordance with the Tang Chinese architectural heritage.
Por-Bazhyn occupies a small island in Lake Tere-Khol, about 1,300 m (4,300 ft) above sea level in the Sengelen mountains of southern Siberia. The location is 8 km (5.0 mi) west of the village of Kungurtuk in the southeast of the Republic of Tuva (Russian Federation), close to the Russian border with Mongolia.
The site's fortifications encircle a rectangular area that is east-west orientated and takes up practically the entire island. Two sizable yards, a central building complex, and a series of smaller yards along the northern, western, and southern walls make up the interior of the structure. The curtain walls on the western and eastern sides are still largely intact. At the center of the eastern wall is the main gate, which has gate towers and ramps going up to them.
It has been known about Por-Bazhyn since the 18th century, and it was first investigated in 1891. Russian archaeologist S.I. Vajnstejn conducted excavations at the site in multiple locations between 1957 and 1963. The Fortress Por-Bajin Foundation conducted extensive fieldwork in 2007–2008 with the assistance of academics and researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences, the State Oriental Museum, and Moscow State University.
Because of its location, the period of its discovery, and the resemblance of its layout to the palace complex of Karabalgasun, the Uyghur Khaganate's capital, Por-Bazhyn, has been associated with the Uyghurs since the end of the 19th century. According to the runic inscription on the Selenga stone, Khagan Moyanchur (also known as Bayanchur Khan, AD 747–759) erected the "palace at the well" in Por-Bazhyn after defeating local tribes in AD 750, according to Vajnstejn.
Moyanchur married a Chinese princess and entangled the Uyghur Khaganate in internal Chinese power struggles.
A frontier stronghold, a monastery, a site used for rituals, and an astronomical observatory were also identified as being at the location; these descriptions may be found in earlier literature that was written before the end of contemporary fieldwork in 2008.
The "fortress" was constructed between AD 770 and 790, according to early dendrochronology and radiocarbon dating investigations. Because Moyanchur's successor, Uyghur Bögü Qaghan, ruled during this time, Por-Bazhyn cannot have been the palace listed in the Selenga inscription, according to the excavators. Further research narrowed the construction date of the palace to around AD 777.
Due to the layout's resemblance to the Uyghur palace of Karabalgasun, the building may have still been a palace. Although signs of restoration and rebuilding indicate that the site had been maintained for a while, the paucity of discoveries, the near absence of a habitation layer, and the utter lack of any heating provisions argue against a continually occupied home. Although there isn't enough evidence to prove that Por-Bazhyn was a military stronghold or a place of worship, it's not impossible.
