Survey and Documentation of Fortifications in the Armenian Highlands from the Middle Ages to the Early Modern Period

• Applicant: Dr. Amin Moradi
• Subject Area: Art History ; Architecture, Building and Construction History, Construction Research, Sustainable Building Technology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 551745910

The Armenian Highlands lie mainly in Eastern Turkey, cover all of Armenia, and also include Southern Georgia, the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan, Western Azerbaijan, and Northwestern Iran. A rough estimate indicates that there must have been at least a thousand fortifications of different sizes and shapes after the Arab invasion in this region, of which remains of about a quarter still exist today. No systematic research has been conducted on fortresses in the Armenian Highlands so far, and the available literature is separated research in Iran, Turkey, and Armenia, although the respective sections of these countries were part of the same dominions through extended periods. This project will be focused on the study and documentation of the architectural details, dimensions, chronology, origins, and construction techniques regarding fortifications in the Armenian Highlands for the first time. In the project presented here, the time frame targeted by fieldwork is mostly comprised between the late 5th century to 1736 A.D., corresponding to the pre-modern Islamic period in the Armenian Highlands. The research method in this study will be composed of fieldwork for the detection, cataloguing, and mapping of the architectural units to produce detailed 3D models and 2D thematic maps with an excellent level of positioning of the structures and the architectural drawing. Moreover, systematic collection of pottery including thermoluminescence and X-Ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) would be considered. Eventually, a comparative study of fortifications with other structures in the vicinity and overlapping this information with historical sources and Synthesis of material will lead us to explain the architectural and building properties of fortifications in the Armenian Highlands to answer the following questions: How does the architecture of fortifications vary in the region? Were these fortifications shaped using traditional construction techniques and materials local to the region? And what is the relation between the general form of fortifications and the periods in which they were built? The success of this research relies on comprehensive documentation and exchange with colleagues at an international level. The German academic setting is promising for both: One important element will be the discussion of material, assessments, and interpretation with faculty members of the Bamberg Institute of Oriental Studies (Institut für Orientalistik), where esteemed international researchers with expertise in Medieval architecture and texts are based. Furthermore, rich literature collections are available at the library of Bamberg University, from which an important part of the bibliographic work can be completed. The findings of this project will be presented at international events like ICAANE, Silk Road, and the Ernst-Herzfeld Society. This is expected to lead to the publication of several articles in international journals.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants