The smithy at the Sayansky ostrog (fortress)

Sayansky ostrog – the first Russian fortress in Siberia, whose yard is fully understood (excavated by archaeologists from the Novosibirsk State University). The result of the excavation – a large quantity (volume) of archaeological materials. They allow, in particular, to determine the composition and layout of facilities and service for household purposes. Among them is a wooden two-part construction, identified by us as a smithy. She had the remains of the forge, built of large river pebbles, specially equipped for installation anvil and coal storage. On the part of the building was traced flooring from timbers that were laid directly on the ground. In the cultural layer has a lot of coal dust inclusions. Outside, the south wall and the northwest corner, revealed accumulations of ash and coal, stab river pebbles. This is probably the emissions from the blacksmith's forge. Based on the stratigraphy of the excavation, this building was created in the early years of the fortress. Written sources do not mention the presence of a smithy in Sayan fortress. Thus, the excavated material substantially supplemented the available information about the fortress. The results can be used in the reconstruction of the planning and composition, the establishment features of the use of such facilities in other Russian fortresses XVIII century in Siberia.