Become a Member

Join the network. Share knowledge. Support fortification research.

    This map shows the distribution of COMFORT members. They are mostly concentrated in Europe with additional members in Australia and North America.

    COMFORT Members are situated all over the world, though mainly in Europe. But researchers from all over the world are welcome to join the COMFORT group.

    COMFORT is an open international network for everyone interested in archaeological fortifications. By becoming part of the community, you can connect with researchers and heritage professionals across Europe and beyond, exchange knowledge and experience, initiate discussions and collaborations, and contribute to the study, understanding, and protection of fortified sites.

    Why join COMFORT?

    • Connect with researchers, students, heritage professionals, institutions, and others interested in fortifications.
    • Exchange information about current research, projects, methods, publications, conferences, and fieldwork.
    • Discuss new ideas, research questions, methodological approaches, and challenges in fortification research.
    • Participate in COMFORT sessions, workshops, online lectures, meetings, and other activities.
    • Contribute your own projects, events, publications, calls, and research news to the network.
    • Collaborate across disciplinary and national boundaries and develop new research initiatives.
    • Promote the archaeological study of fortifications and raise awareness of their significance as part of our shared cultural heritage.
    • Protect fortified sites by encouraging their documentation, responsible investigation, preservation, and communication to a wider public.

    COMFORT depends on participation

    Every shared project, discussion, idea, or piece of information helps strengthen the network – and contributes to keeping archaeological fortifications visible, understood, researched, and protected.

    Three ways to join and stay connected

    1. Join the COMFORT Community through the EAA

    If you are a member of the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA), you can officially join the Community on Fortification Research through your EAA account.
    As a registered COMFORT member, you will automatically receive COMFORT news and announcements distributed through the EAA Community platform and can take part in community activities and discussions.

    Join via EAA

    2. Join us on Facebook

    The COMFORT Facebook Group provides an informal and interactive space for the community. Follow current news, share information about projects, publications and events, ask questions, start discussions, and exchange ideas with colleagues interested in fortification research.

    Join the discussion on Facebook

    3. Join the COMFORT Mailing List

    You do not need to be an EAA member or use Facebook to become part of the network. Simply send an email to timo.ibsen [at] leiza.de and ask to be added to the COMFORT mailing list. You will receive news, announcements, invitations, calls, and information about upcoming COMFORT activities directly by email.

    Everyone can contribute

    COMFORT is built by its community. Whether you want to present your research, share a publication, announce a project, suggest a topic for an online lecture or workshop, organise an EAA session, initiate a discussion, seek partners for a new project, or simply follow what others are doing – your participation is welcome.

    Connect. Explore. Understand. Protect.

    Get involved – and help us connect, explore, understand, and protect fortifications across time and space.