15th-century fortress identified at site long thought to be medieval Russia’s oldest
Archaeological work in 2026 has changed the dating of two medieval fortifications at Balchug, in modern Galich. Researchers found no evidence for a pre-Mongol fortress at the Lower Hillfort. The Lower and Upper Hillforts form one of the most notable defense sites in northeastern Rus...
More info: https://archaeologymag.com/2026/08/15th-century-galich-s-balchug-fortifications/
Follow @archaeology.news
— Open image attachment 1 of 115th-century fortress identified at site long thought to be medieval Russia’s oldest
Archaeological work in 2026 has changed the dating of two medieval fortifications at Balchug, in modern Galich. Researchers found no evidence for a pre-Mongol fortress at the Lower Hillfort. The Lower and Upper Hillforts form one of the most notable defense sites in northeastern Rus. Their unusual layout links two fortifications from different periods into one system. Much of the old landscape also survives, with later building affecting only the northwestern floodplain and the foot of Balchug.