The Armenian Highlands, spanning Eastern Turkey, Armenia, Southern Georgia, Nakhichevan, Western Azerbaijan, and Northwestern Iran, host the remains of hundreds of medieval and early modern fortifications. Built largely after the Arab conquests, these structures once numbered over a thousand, though only about a quarter are still visible today. Despite their historical significance, no systematic, cross-border study of these fortifications has been conducted.

This project represents the first comprehensive investigation of these sites, covering the period from the late 5th century to 1736 CE. It aims to document the architecture, chronology, construction methods, and regional variations of fortifications across the Highlands. Fieldwork will include on-site survey, 3D modeling, 2D mapping, and material analysis.

Through a comparative approach and integration with historical sources, the project seeks to answer key questions: How did fortification architecture evolve in this region? Were local materials and techniques employed? And how do form and function reflect the changing political landscape?

This interdisciplinary study fills a major gap in the scholarship of Middle Eastern and Caucasian architecture and offers new insights into the military and cultural history of a long-contested frontier zone.