The Archaeology of Colonial Fortifications

A global exploration of the many ways forts served as instruments of conquest and spaces of cultural exchange

European colonial fortifications were built to advance imperial ambitions and appropriate Native lands, yet their roles varied in different contexts based on factors such as environmental conditions, competition with rivals, and relations with Indigenous groups. This volume examines and compares forts constructed by Spanish, French, British, Portuguese, Dutch, and Russian empires across four continents from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries.

Drawing on archaeological and documentary evidence, contributors explore how forts shaped colonial processes and the local landscape, emerging as a nexus of intersecting identities and a catalyst for social and political anxieties. They show that forts were meeting places for diverse ethnic and cultural groups as Europeans relied on local knowledge to navigate unfamiliar settings. Chapters also trace how forts have been represented and memorialized, from historical depictions to modern commemorations. These comparative studies of the lived experiences of colonizers and Indigenous peoples at fort sites demonstrate the many topics, themes, and issues informed by this heritage.