May, 2007 saw the start of the “Por-Bajin” expedition in the Republic of Tuva which main goal is to investigate and to restore an ancient fortress on the island on the Tere-Khol Lake. Near the fortress has been fixed a student tent camp.

Many students from Russian universities have an opportunity of taking part in the reconstruction of this unique historic monument. These young men have just finished working in Tuva and have done what one can to help professional archeologists.

The project initiator, Russian minister for Emergencies Sergey Shoigu was the first to bring forward the idea of carrying out large-scale archeological excavations in Por-Bazhyn fortress. This idea was given publicity to during a meeting with the students of the State University of Tuva and from the very beginning received great support.

In association with the Russian Academy of Science a professional team of archeologists, scientists studying Orient, and restorers was recruited. Numerous specialists from the State Eastern Museum, Institute of history of material culture, Institute of Oriental Studies, Moscow State University, the Institute of Humanitarian researches of Tuva and many other research organizations of Russia are participating in this expedition.

In the first summer of research works and restoration of the ancient fortress on the island of the Tere-Khol Lake more than 600 students of State Universities of Tuva, Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Kazan, as well as from the State Pedagogical University of Krasnoyarsk worked together with scientists.

Four shifts of students and scientists managed to finish the archeological excavations which allows to create a project of partial reconstruction of the monument.

During the investigation of the cultural heritage of Por-Bazhyn fortress some unique archeological finds were discovered: 9 reliefs with the images of guardian spirits, a man’s earring, a tip of a spear, a fragment of a stone bowl. According to the specialists all the discoveries are dated to the 8th Century AC.

The water survey of water area of Tere-Khol Lake, where the Por-Bazhyn fortress is situated, was also finished.

The scientific community is sharing the same opinion that the research and preservation of historical monument and culture of the Por-Bazhyn fortress – is one of the most large-scale projects in modern archeology.

Creation of the national park “Por-Bazhyn Fortress” on the island of the Tere-Khol Lake is scheduled to start within the next few years.