In Livonia, a historical region encompassing present-day Latvia and Estonia, approximately 50 relics of ancient hillforts of various chronologies are found along the River Daugava. Some of these fortifications were continuously occupied, while others were abandoned and later reoccupied. A notable example of continuous use is the transition of these hillforts from local populations to the control of bishops' and Teutonic Knights’ armies between the late 12th and 13th centuries, leading to the construction of masonry defense structures.
This study aims to reconstruct the historical landscape of that period and conduct spatial analyses using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. By doing so, it seeks to identify the key factors that influenced the annexation and reoccupation of these hillforts by the German invaders.
