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FORTIFICATION OF THE MONGOLIAN NOMADS: CAMP ALTYN-KHAN 1652 ON THE HILL UNYUK (RIGHT BANK OF YENISEI)

S. G. Skobelev, M. A. Ryumshin

Abstract

South Yenisei during Russian exploration of Siberia at the beginning of the 17th century was part of the North-Mongolian state ruled by Altyn-khans. However, until recently the name of these rulers was known only in connection with one archaeological site in the area. It was a large fortification surrounded by a stone and earth wall on the right bank of the Yenisei River near the estuary of the Sizaya River. Currently, though, it stands to reason that there is the second object of a similar kind detected, a fortified camp by Altyn-khan. It is located to the north of the first fortress on Hill Unyuk, near the estuary of the Syda (the right tributary of the Yenisei). A report of the Krasnoyarsk governor M. F. Scryabin, dated 1652, states that Altyn-khan had a quarrel with his nephew Mergen-taisha, who was forced to flee; Altyn-khan followed him and besieged his nephew's army in a В«stone townВ» in the estuary of the Syda. Hill Unyuk sits a large fortress consisting partly of stone walls, a system of ditches and earth walls. The defense was organized by using the natural deep ravine as the northern defensive line of the fortress. It might have been the very В«stone townВ» mentioned by M. F. Scryabin. On the opposite side of the ravine we found another fortification, a system of ditches and earth walls in the shape of an irregular rectangle on the plan. From both ends of the west defensive line towards the Syda, to the west, two straight parallel lines of similar ditches and earth walls stretch. However, on their western endings the lines are not connected with any transverse wall. This might have been a way out of the fortress to the river, protected on both sides (in the north and south). It is supported by an additional western line of strengthening with a gap without any ditch or earth wall measuring about 3 meters wide. It could have been the gate to the fortress. In order to interpret the origin and destination of the object, we should refer to the military experience of the Manchus, who had numerous close contacts with the Mongols in their military affairs. The results of studying the Manchu written sources of the first half of the 17th century show that it was a usual arrangement of fortified camps during military campaigns. The new site discovered, therefore, can be defined as an Altyn-khan's fortified camp where his army stayed during the siege of the fortress occupied by Mergen-taisha in 1652 on Hill Unyuk.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgemsocial2015/b31/s9.032

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