Castles, Strongholds, and Fortifications of the Medieval Period in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus

Session Hosting Format: 
in-person session
Organizer(s): 
  • David Berikashvili, PHD. The University of Georgia; Andrew Siebert, Calgary Classical Academy
Contact Email: 
davidberikashvili8@gmail.com
Session Description (300 word max): 

Medieval fortifications remain among the most enduring material witnesses to the political, military, and cultural landscapes of the past. Castles and strongholds served not only as centers of defense but also as loci of administration, economic control, and symbolic power. While Western European castles have been extensively studied, the fortifications of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus regions that stood at the crossroads of empires, trade routes, and shifting frontiers have received comparatively less international attention. Yet these regions preserve a remarkable diversity of fortified sites, from citadels crowning volcanic promontories to walled urban centers and frontier garrisons. This session seeks to bring together scholars investigating the construction, function, and transformation of medieval fortifications across these interconnected regions. Contributions may explore themes including: architectural typologies and innovations; the role of fortifications in shaping settlement hierarchies and landscapes; military strategies and siege technologies; and the cultural meanings of castles as symbols of authority, identity, and resistance. We also welcome case studies that integrate archaeological, historical, and scientific approaches as bioarcheology, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and materials analysis to illuminate the lived experiences of those who built, inhabited, and attacked these strongholds. By highlighting the fortifications of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus within a broader comparative framework, this session aims to foster dialogue on regional particularities as well as shared patterns of medieval defensive architecture. In doing so, it will contribute to a more inclusive understanding of medieval fortifications as dynamic elements of social, political, and cultural life across Eurasia.

Presentations
Beyond the Citadel: Mapping the Complex Fortification System of a Medieval City Site Using LiDAR – A Case Study of Samshvilde (Georgia, South Caucasus) ( David Berikashvili )
Presentation format: In-Person
Author(s):
  • David Berikashvili - The University of Georgia, PHD

Medieval fortresses and fortified settlements constitute a pivotal component of the South Caucasus’ cultural heritage, embodying the region’s intricate political and urban trajectories.

Within this context, the archaeological complex of Samshvilde in southern Georgia offers a critical case study for examining the evolution and organization of medieval landscapes.

Despite its significance, the fortification system of Samshvilde has remained largely understudied, with limited understanding of its spatial organization, defensive strategies, and hydrological infrastructure.

Previous archaeological excavations, conducted over the past decade, have provided valuable but insufficient insights. The layout of the Samshvilde Citadel, in particular, was poorly understood, as it appeared to function as the site’s sole fortified element—a configuration atypical for medieval Caucasian urban centers —an impression reinforced by dense vegetation. 

To overcome these limitations, LiDAR survey was undertaken in summer 2024, documenting the citadel and its surroundings. The resulting data necessitate a significant reinterpretation of the site’s defensive network, revealing a complex system comprising two principal components and multiple towers.

This study underscores the potential of non-invasive methodologies to advance the analysis of medieval urban and military infrastructures in the region.
Zakagori Fortress as Part of a Regional Medieval Defensive System: Archaeological and Landscape Analysis ( Levan Kvakhadze )
Presentation format: In-Person
Author(s):
  • Levan Kvakhadze - The University of Georgia

Zakagori Fortress is a medieval fortified site and former village located in the Truso Valley of northern Georgia, situated on a high, hard-to-access mountain near the confluence of the Tergi and Suatisi rivers at approximately 2240 meters above sea level. The strategic location of the site at the upper entrance to the gorge indicates its historical role in controlling movement through this northern boundary zone and defending communication routes in the Caucasus.

This paper presents results from recent archaeological surveys and landscape analysis of Zakagori’s layout, architectural features, and spatial organization relative to the surrounding terrain. By integrating topographic assessment, architectural documentation, and material culture observations, the study reconstructs functional aspects of the fortress and its defensive strategy. Particular attention is paid to how natural topography and constructed fortifications combine to optimize visibility, control riverine corridors, and regulate access through the valley.

The findings suggest that Zakagori Fortress was not merely an isolated defensive point, but an integral component of a regional medieval defensive network. Placing Zakagori in the broader context of fortifications in the Caucasus enhances understanding of settlement organization, territorial control, and landscape use along key high-altitude routes.