Archaeological research in the historical center of the city of Tara in 2023

Archaeological research in 2023 was a part of the project on creating the "Tara fortress” archaeological and historical tourist complex in the historical center of Tara. An area of276 sq. m was excavated along the edge of the main bank of the Irtysh River. During the work, it became clear that a large part ofthe cultural layer in the town was removed during construction of administrative buildings, and construction waste was dumped in its place. Below this layer, three objects dating back to the 18th century were discovered: a log cabin measuring 4.2 х 4.3 m, ice cellar measuring 4.75 х 4.7 m, and another cellar which was only partly located in the excavation pit. Elements of clothing (fabrics, jewelry, shoe parts), household items (tools, fishing gear), a set of tableware and kitchen utensils, and toys were discovered in the log cabin. The filling of the ice cellar consisted of two levels. Weapons of the 17th century, including a tip of a glaive ("palma” in Russian), ramrod, and buckshot cannonballs were in the upper part of the filling, redeposited by construction works. Smoking pipes ofthe second half ofthe 18th century, bullet mold, and assemblage ofpottery was in the lower part of the filling. Almost no finds were made in the second cellar. All studied objects belonged to the street which ran along the inner part of fortification wall, studied since 2016. Archaeological research of2023 makes it possible to start the works on reconstructing the fortress walls ofthe town. The evidence obtained expands our knowledge ofthe material and spiritual culture of the Tara dwellers in the late 16th 18th centuries.