Community on Fortification Research

Fortification research is inherently collaborative. Archaeological fortifications transcend modern borders, research traditions and chronological periods. Understanding them requires cooperation between researchers, heritage institutions, digital infrastructures and local stakeholders.

COMFORT actively promotes collaboration across Europe and beyond

Through joint research initiatives, data exchange, workshops, conference sessions and digital projects, we bring together expertise in archaeology, heritage management, landscape research and digital humanities.

LEIZA – Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie

The Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA) provides the institutional base for COMFORT and supports its activities in archaeological research, heritage preservation and digital research infrastructures. Its Schleswig site has a particular focus on the archaeology of Northern and Eastern Europe and on long-term approaches to settlement and fortification research.

Kiel University – LandMan & Kiel Fortification Database

COMFORT cooperates with Kiel University (CAU) in the fields of landscape archaeology, archaeological information systems and research data management. Key resources include LandMan, the interdisciplinary research data repository and landscape archaeological geoportal of the Johanna Mestorf Academy, and the Kiel Fortification Database (KFD), a FAIR-oriented database developed to compile and integrate archaeological fortification data on a European scale. Together, they provide important expertise and infrastructure for managing, harmonising, visualising and connecting heterogeneous archaeological data – an important basis for the development of the COMFORT Explorer.

Université de Strasbourg / CNRS

Our cooperation with researchers at the Université de Strasbourg and CNRS contributes expertise in European archaeology, archaeological data integration and digital research infrastructures. The collaboration strengthens the connection between archaeological research and the development of interoperable approaches to cultural heritage data.

ArkeoGIS / ArkeOpen

ArkeoGIS and ArkeOpen provide expertise in the aggregation, harmonisation and dissemination of archaeological datasets. Their experience with spatial archaeological data and open digital infrastructures is particularly important for developing new ways of connecting information on archaeological fortifications across Europe.

Both platforms are part of the core infrastructure to host different datasets on fortifications. Here are some examples on datasets.

• Dataset: Hillforts in Latvia along Daugava river
• Dataset: Oppida.org
• Dataset: Hillforts in France (AFEAF)

European Association of Archaeologists (EAA)

COMFORT was founded as a Community of the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA). The EAA provides the international framework within which COMFORT brings together researchers working on fortifications from different periods and regions. Annual EAA sessions, meetings and other activities form an important platform for exchange, networking and the development of new collaborative initiatives.

Interested in collaborating?

COMFORT is an open network. We welcome cooperation with researchers, universities, museums, heritage authorities, research infrastructures and other initiatives concerned with archaeological fortifications and fortified landscapes.

Whether you would like to contribute data, develop a joint research initiative, organise an event or connect an existing project with the COMFORT network, we would be happy to hear from you.