Mysterious island of ancient fortress in Siberia

Glancing at him, Russia's square island Por-Bajin looked like an ominous prison or fortress, with many damaged structures. Until today, it is unknown what the island is located in a lake in the deepest part of Siberia actually used when it was built 1,300 years ago.

Mysterious ancient fortress island 1,300 years

Historians and scientists still disagree about the origin of Por-Bajin fortress island. However, some experts believe that this isolated area can be built to attract people, instead of imprisoning someone. They said this could have been a summer palace, monastery or astronomical observatory.

The name Por-Bajin in Tuvan means " clay house ". The island is located between the Sayan and Altai mountains, near the border with Mongolia and 3,800km from Moscow's Russian capital.

Por-Bajin Island was first discovered in 1891 and the purpose of building facilities on the island is still unanswered more than a century later.

Much more thorough research was conducted in 2007. In it, archaeologists discovered many clay shards of human feet, faded drawings on plaster walls, large gates and pieces of wood burned.

According to experts, the island was built under the Islamic Empire (from 744 to 840 AD). However, they still did not know the motive to build such a isolated fortress, very far from large residential areas and important trade routes. Thick layouts as well as the use of construction materials represent Chinese architectural traditions.

Scientists were able to use laser mapping techniques to create a 3D image of a 3.5-hectare plot of land used to build a fortress.

Wearing the building is defined to be about 1,300 years old , but many walls are still intact and well preserved with a main structure divided into two parts in the courtyard. The main structure has 36 wooden pillars supporting the stone foundation, with paved walkways.

What is more difficult to understand than the origin of the fortress island is why it was abandoned .

Some artifacts have been excavated at Por-Bajin Island.(Photo: Daily Mail)

Researchers have noted the lack of heating systems on the island , even if it must withstand the harsh weather of Siberia and are located at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level.

Russian President Vladimir Putin during his 2007 island visit with Monaco's Prince Albert also expressed confusion. " I went to many places and saw many things. But I have never seen anything like this," Putin said.