Important new collection of papers looking at the development of fortified sites in Europe from the Neolithic through to the Late Iron Age, examining evidence for common trends, cultural and ideological backgrounds, structural and functional attributes across the continent and through time and regional differences and developments

1. Understanding Ancient Fortifications: Between Regionality and Connectivity - An Introduction Ariane Ballmer, Manuel Fernandez-Goetz and Dirk Paul Mielke 2. Environmental and cultural factors in the development of Chalcolithic fortifications in Bulgaria Kamen Boyadzhiev 3. Fortifications and violence in the Mediterranean during the 3rd millennium BC Vicente Lull, Rafael Mico, Cristina Rihuete and Roberto Risch 4. Pharaoh's Mighty Walls - Egypt's fortification system in the third and second millennium BC Carola Vogel 5. Fortification systems of the Aegean Bronze Age Walter Gauss 6. Hittite Fortifications between Function and Symbolism Dirk P. Mielke 7. Protecting Civilisation. Cosmological and Ideological Concepts behind City Walls in Assyria Simon Halama 8. Greek fortifications before the Persian Wars. An overview Oliver Hulden 9. Fortifications in and around Rome, 950-300 BC Albert J. Nijboer 10. The Iron Age Fortifications of Gabii/Latium (Italy) Sophie Helas 11. The introduction of the 'Pfostenschlitz' concept in the fortification architecture of the north-west Alpine Hallstatt circle Ariane Ballmer 12. Agency in Architectural Choice: The Heuneburg Hillfort as Monument and Metaphor Bettina Arnold and Manuel Fernandez-Goetz 13. The purpose of Gallic oppida ramparts: a reappraisal Pierre Moret 14. Defences or defenders? New interpretations on upright-stone bands in European Late Prehistory Luis Berrocal-Rangel