Contribution of the jurchens of the Eastern Xia State (1215–1233) to the evolution of the medieval fortifi cation of the Far East
The Jurchen fortifications of the Eastern Xia state (1215–1233) are a complex system of fortification. Preparing for defense against the Mongols, the Jurchens began to build a new type of mountain settlements, which turned into fortress cities with a complex defense system. Each settlement had its o...
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Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan, A.Kh. Khalikov Archaeology Institute
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Поволжская археология |
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| Online Access: | http://archaeologie.pro/en/archive/51/1000/ |
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| author | Artemieva Nadezhda G. |
| author_facet | Artemieva Nadezhda G. |
| author_sort | Artemieva Nadezhda G. |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Jurchen fortifications of the Eastern Xia state (1215–1233) are a complex system of fortification. Preparing for defense against the Mongols, the Jurchens began to build a new type of mountain settlements, which turned into fortress cities with a complex defense system. Each settlement had its own functions, on which their location, size and internal topography depended. Applying the rich experience of their predecessors, they create their own tradition in urban planning, rationally using natural and geographical conditions. Walled cities are erected on the mountain spurs that controlled the adjacent valley, providing the most advantageous position for defense. Inside the spur there was a glen, which made it possible to follow the movement of the enemies, while the enemies were deprived of the possibility to observe the actions of the fortress defenders . The walls of the fortress were built taking into account the steepness of the rocks, which eliminated the need to erect fosses. The gates were reinforced with additional structures in the form of a barbican. The ramparts were mainly made of earth, with additional fortifications such as towers, roundels, barbettes. Additional fortifications had characteristic features of the XIII century cities and performed defensive functions combined with guard and observation. The introduction of new technical solutions by the Jurchens in the urban planning of mountain hillforts was a contribution to the evolution of medieval fortification of the peoples of East Asia. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c2e50b2c8e7f47dc944840188cf9a7a7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2306-4099 2500-2856 |
| language | Russian |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan, A.Kh. Khalikov Archaeology Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Поволжская археология |
| spelling | doaj-art-c2e50b2c8e7f47dc944840188cf9a7a72025-08-20T02:56:30ZrusAcademy of Sciences of Tatarstan, A.Kh. Khalikov Archaeology InstituteПоволжская археология2306-40992500-28562025-03-0115117618810.24852/pa2025.1.51.176.188Contribution of the jurchens of the Eastern Xia State (1215–1233) to the evolution of the medieval fortifi cation of the Far EastArtemieva Nadezhda G. 0Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnography of the Peoples of the Far East of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Pushkinskaya St., 89, Vladivostok, 690001, Russian FederationThe Jurchen fortifications of the Eastern Xia state (1215–1233) are a complex system of fortification. Preparing for defense against the Mongols, the Jurchens began to build a new type of mountain settlements, which turned into fortress cities with a complex defense system. Each settlement had its own functions, on which their location, size and internal topography depended. Applying the rich experience of their predecessors, they create their own tradition in urban planning, rationally using natural and geographical conditions. Walled cities are erected on the mountain spurs that controlled the adjacent valley, providing the most advantageous position for defense. Inside the spur there was a glen, which made it possible to follow the movement of the enemies, while the enemies were deprived of the possibility to observe the actions of the fortress defenders . The walls of the fortress were built taking into account the steepness of the rocks, which eliminated the need to erect fosses. The gates were reinforced with additional structures in the form of a barbican. The ramparts were mainly made of earth, with additional fortifications such as towers, roundels, barbettes. Additional fortifications had characteristic features of the XIII century cities and performed defensive functions combined with guard and observation. The introduction of new technical solutions by the Jurchens in the urban planning of mountain hillforts was a contribution to the evolution of medieval fortification of the peoples of East Asia.http://archaeologie.pro/en/archive/51/1000/archaeologyfar eastjurchenseastern xiajin empirefortificationrampartfossetowersgatesroundelsbarbettemedieval settlements |
| spellingShingle | Artemieva Nadezhda G. Contribution of the jurchens of the Eastern Xia State (1215–1233) to the evolution of the medieval fortifi cation of the Far East Поволжская археология archaeology far east jurchens eastern xia jin empire fortification rampart fosse towers gates roundels barbette medieval settlements |
| title | Contribution of the jurchens of the Eastern Xia State (1215–1233) to the evolution of the medieval fortifi cation of the Far East |
| title_full | Contribution of the jurchens of the Eastern Xia State (1215–1233) to the evolution of the medieval fortifi cation of the Far East |
| title_fullStr | Contribution of the jurchens of the Eastern Xia State (1215–1233) to the evolution of the medieval fortifi cation of the Far East |
| title_full_unstemmed | Contribution of the jurchens of the Eastern Xia State (1215–1233) to the evolution of the medieval fortifi cation of the Far East |
| title_short | Contribution of the jurchens of the Eastern Xia State (1215–1233) to the evolution of the medieval fortifi cation of the Far East |
| title_sort | contribution of the jurchens of the eastern xia state 1215 1233 to the evolution of the medieval fortifi cation of the far east |
| topic | archaeology far east jurchens eastern xia jin empire fortification rampart fosse towers gates roundels barbette medieval settlements |
| url | http://archaeologie.pro/en/archive/51/1000/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT artemievanadezhdag contributionofthejurchensoftheeasternxiastate12151233totheevolutionofthemedievalfortificationofthefareast |