Reconstruction of Wooden and Earthen Buildings in 17th to 18th-Century Russian Forts in Siberia: The Case of the Sayansky Ostrog

On the basis of the materials of the Sayansky Ostrog (fort), built in the Northern Sayan in 1718, we reconstruct the type of building that was common during the initial stage of the Russian colonization (1600s and 1700s). This is one of the few well preserved Russian forts. While its buildings, their function, and location are known from written sources and from the findings of a complete archaeological excavation, their construction has been hitherto unknown. To reconstruct their size and appearance, we collated archaeological and ethnographic findings, museum materials, and written evidence about the layout of buildings and construction techniques. Judging from the totality of data, we suggest the reconstructions of buildings, such as powder magazine, supply depot, barn with cellar, forge, and commandant’s house. We describe traditions and innovations in construction techniques, choice of building materials, details and blocks, layout of floors, ceilings, and roofs. The commandant’s house reproduces the architectural standards of that time, set by Domenico Trezzini, who designed buildings in the capital and in provincial Russian towns.