Por-Bazhyn
Por-Bazhyn from the air (looking northwest) before excavation in 2007 | |
| Location | Tuva, Russia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°36′54″N 97°23′5″E / 50.61500°N 97.38472°E |
| Altitude | 1,300 m (4,265 ft) |
| Type | Fortified settlement |
| Area | 4.14 ha (10.2 acres) |
| History | |
| Founded | 777AD, estimated in accordance with 774-775 carbon-14 spike event |
| Cultures | Yugur |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1957–63, 2007–08 |
Por-Bazhyn (Por-Bajin, Por-Bazhyng, Russian: Пор-Бажын, Tuvan: Пор-Бажың) is a ruined structure on a lake island high in the mountains of southern Tuva (Russian Federation). The name means "clay house" in Tuvan. Excavations suggest that it was built as a Uyghur palace in the 8th century AD, converted into a Manichaean monastery soon after, abandoned after a short occupation, and finally destroyed by an earthquake and subsequent fire. Its construction methods show that Por-Bazhyn was built within the Tang Chinese architectural tradition.