Tentative results of exploration of the Tara fortress (based on materials from 2007-2017)

The paper presents results of the 10-year-long excavations of the historical part of Tara. During the works, the main features of the cultural layer have been established and dozens of buildings for residential, economic, defense purposes, as well as remains of manor complexes have been studied. The authors describe a great amount of fragments of ceramic, glass and porcelain ware, labor tools, accumulated an extensive collection of various goods including household utensils, items of military and hunting equipment, toys, jewelry, coins, shoes, and imported goods. A comprehensive analysis of the archaeological context provides the opportunity for historical reconstructions of the socio-cultural processes in Tara, which played an important role in the development of the Irtysh region and Western Siberia in general. The findings can serve as the basis for a general study of Tara and the history of the Russian towns of Siberia during the colonization period.