An outwork is a minor defense, fortification, built or established outside the principal fortification limits, detached or semidetached. Outworks were developed in the 16th century, such as ravelins, lunettes (demilunes), caponiers to shield bastions and fortification curtains from direct battery. Later the increasing scale of warfare and the greater resources available to the besieger accelerated this development, and systems of outworks grew more and more elaborate and sprawling as a means of slowing the attacker's progress and making it more costly.
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| Since ancient times |
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| Since Middle Ages |
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| Since Early modern period |
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| Since 19th century |
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| Since 20th century |
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| Fortifications by topography |
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