Some Questions of Medieval Fortification Studies

Abstract

An essential component of the appearance of cities and castles during the Middle Ages were their defense systems, which included not only fortress walls and towers, but also other elements of fortification. To a large extent, they reflected the level of development of the state, containing both the military engineering index and the level of external threat, as well as concentrated scientific and technical achievements of various peoples. The fortification of medieval states demonstrated a fairly high level against the general background of the development of military defence, beginning since the era of the Ancient World. Despite the decline of fortification science in the Middle Ages, a series of traditions linked them for centuries. At the same time, along with general trends, the medieval fortification of various territories and states had a number of their own features, which were conditioned by local traditions of urban development and conditions of military practice.

Keywords

• archaeology
• middle ages
• fortified settlements
• fortification
• development of military-defense business
• types of constructions