Even today, Roman castles and fortresses from the Middle Ages continue to shape the cultural landscape of Europe. Less well known and also not so extensively researched are the fortified settlements with strong walls that were already being built in the Bronze Age.  From the transitional period from the 17th to 16th century B.C., these fortifications served as protection against attackers and at the same time as power bases from which territories and transport routes could be controlled. The LOEWE research cluster “Prehistorical Conflict Research” aims to close this research gap and to apply an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the Bronze Age fortresses located between the Taunus and the Carpathians, which date back to some 4000 years ago. By investigating the theoretical basis of dominance and war in the Bronze Age as well as undertaking exemplary archaeological excavations, the phenomenon of the Bronze Age fortress should be better understood.  This will involve a social-historical focus on violent conflicts in the Bronze Age and a comparison with conditions in the Middle Ages.