A study on Mohe(Malgal)'s castles in Russian Primorsky krai

This study is explained the characteristics and structures of Mohe's castles in Russian Primorsky krai. Examining characteristics such as their location, topography, form, size, function, constructional materials and structure, defense works along the walls my research provides an analysis of Primorsky krai castle’s peculiarities, characteristic, formation and development of the Mohe castles. The object of this study are 23 castle sites located along major rivers, including the Suifen, Upper Ussuri basin, Middle and Lower Ussuri basin and coastal district. Mohe’s castles is generality (about 15 castles) mountain castle or castle located on the small hill. That’s reason why irregular form castle is more prevalent in this territory. Otherwise, plain castle usually featured a rectangular or square form. Small castles are dominated in this culture, there are only few medium castle. As may be supposed, only Krinichi plain castle could have administrative function. Irregular mountain castles or hill castle defended settlements and were located near a river at strategic positions where they could overlook vast territories. Their earthen walls were constructed without any special methods, except castles located on the coastal district with stone construction. It could be territorial difference among Mohe’s castles. Mohe castles featuring one to three walls with moats and featured no defensive structures along them. Mohe‘s mountain castles in the Primorsky Krai share a lot of similarities with Early-Iron Age castles and derives that constructional traditional. Palhae begins to supersede Mohe expanding territory to Primorsky Krai. It influenced on local architectural traditions like featured a rectangular or square form in plain castle. Nevertheless, Palhae’s influence on Mohe’s castles in Primorsky Krai wasn’t so strong as on Mohe’s castles in Amur Region. Mohe castles are spread out huge territory except Heilongjiang province. That’s why it’s important to study castles on this area. It is necessary to point out that Mohe architectural features were observed on early Jurchen period, Pokrovka culture and even on Eastern Xia castles. It show that Mohe architectural traditions continue for a long time on this territory.