Forts - holy places of Kuda valley: form and design

In the territory of Predbaykalye 90 ancient "forts" are known. Military and defensive function played a supporting role on these objects. First of all, they were used as the cult centers or holy place therefore for their designation the term " fort- holy place " is used. The separate territorial group of fort- holy places sanctuaries settles down in a valley of river of Kuda. Thirteen of them are surveyed in 2010: Маntahie I, Маntahie II, ^Mik I, fajkunut I, Dalahan I, Маnhie I, Daha^lga I, Ulan-Zola-Tologoi, Uha-Hushun I, Uha-Hushun II, Handagay I, Sharsa I и Harhar-Zelga. Excavations took places only in 4 fort- holly places situated in Kuda valley. During 50s of the last century the expedition under the leadership of Oklad-nikov made big excavations in Manhay site. In the southern part of this site were eight pits which consisted grate amount of bone remnants and a fragment of birch bark vessel. Excavating the pit and shafts of this site there were found more than sixty plates of red sandstone with images cut on it. Using stone plates with images for shaft fortification demonstrate two stages of this site existing as said P.P. Khoroshih. So far it is the only one fort holly place in Predbaikalye where were found proofs of long stay of people. During 70-80 s in Manhay site took place reconnoiter works, as result were found new plates with images, specified the form and the construction of site fortification. In the end of 80-s through the pits and shafts of following fort holly places: Darbay-I, Kapsal-I and Kapsal-II was laid a trenches allowed to judge about design features of this sites. Fort- holy places sanctuaries are localized on mountain capes or tops of mountains occupying a leading position among the surrounding district. There is good view on a big area of the river valley from each site. They form self territorial groups adhered to a district site. More often it is a valley of Kuda river tributary or area of Kuda river valley. In this regard it is quite lawful to consider the fort holly places as peculiar markers of the territory assigned to group of people who built it. Protective constructions of Kudinsky sites of fort holly places consist of walls and ditches. The wall was filled either with internal or from outer side from a ditch. Fortification lines weren't intended for defense, and were only as symbolical environment of the sacral territory. Fort-holly places were the centers of commission of prayers to heavenly deities. The top of the mountain or the mountain cape were perceived as a place where contact of people to inhabitants of heaven is possible. The ritual actions were made on them allowing people to get support of inhabitants of heaven. Using walls and ditches sacral territories were protected from penetration of harmful forces.

Keywords

Authors

References