I find the book very useful and very much needed for ongoing academic research. ? European Journal of ArchaeologyThis book is very well illustrated, often in colour, and the editing is excellent... Overall, it is an interesting volume which brings much new archaeological research and excavation to the fore and provides a critical assessment of our current understanding of early medieval fortified sites across most of Europe. It frequently demonstrates that long-held interpretations based largely on the written evidence are outmoded as the archaeology presents an increasingly complex picture. This emerging evidence offers a valuable opportunity for further comparative research on these over-arching themes in the future. ? Archaeological Journal?a wide-ranging but coherent valuable collection on defended settlements, their contexts and their environments in the early Middle Ages, which will certainly be the starting point for further studies on the topic. ? Landscape HistoryThe inclusion of studies and authors from across Europe allows a discussion of similarities and differences within these settlements? The volume itself is produced to a very high standard, with many illustrations and diagrams to complement the text. ? Ulster Archaeological Society NewsletterThis important book fills a substantial scholarly gap...I really enjoyed reading all the papers- an experience which gave me massive food for thought and new ideas. ? Medieval ArchaeologyIn conclusion, I consider that this volume makes an essential contribution to knowing how to organize the defense of settlements from the early medieval period in various regions of Europe. At the same time, these discussions lead to continuation, diversification and expansion research on fortifications at the end of the first millennium. ? Plural. Culture. History. Society.All articles contain helpful summaries that allow a quick overview and quickly reveal the essentials.Therefore, the book fulfills its task [...] to provide a kind of overview of current research on the so-called 'fortified' settlements so typical of the 8th to 10th centuries. [translated from German] ? GermaniaThe book is meticulously edited, adequately illustrated, and neatly produced. It will serve as an inspiration and a reference for students and researchers for years to come. It will do much to restore early medieval fortified sites--and their communities--as a hotspot of archaeological research. ? The Medieval ReviewThe publication provides an excellent and, in many respects, new overview of early medieval fortifications at the junction between early historic fortified settlements and the emergence of the medieval castle. ? Francia Recensio Biografía del autor Neil Christie is Professor of Medieval Archaeology in the School of Archaeology & Ancient History at the University of Leicester. He is author and editor of a number of books centred especially on late Roman to early medieval Mediterranean Europe, covering themes such as urban and rural change and defence.