Galápagos Islands
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Sustainable tourism in the Galápagos Islands hinges on rethinking and resetting its development model, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for inclusive vision-setting, addressing community needs like basic services, health, and education, and balancing regulated high-end tourism with informal low-cost options. A decade after implementing the Ecotourism Model, this study highlights critical challenges and opportunities, offering insights applicable beyond the Galápagos. Researchers engaged tourism service providers and regulators in Puerto Ayora to explore how sustainability has been integrated into tourism-conservation links post-pandemic.
Göbekli Tepe
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Göbekli Tepe represents a 'status society,' where social hierarchy was based on prestige and ideological influence rather than economic inequality. This challenges traditional views that link social stratification solely to agricultural societies. The study, combining archaeological data with sociological theory, argues that hunter-gatherer groups transitioned through a phase of status-based hierarchy before full economic class division. Unlike Marxist class analysis, this society's symbolic world served functional roles in sustaining Neolithic lifestyles while maintaining meaningful social order. Weber’s concept of status, emphasizing non-economic inequalities, was central to this reinterpretation.
Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
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Excavations at Gebel Barkal, el-Kurru, and Meroe revealed significant archaeological discoveries, including pyramid burial chambers, foundation deposits, jewelry, and royal horse grave burials adorned with faience trappings. Notably, the painted burial chambers of Queen Qalhata and King Tanwetamani provided unexpected insights into Nubian royal practices during the Twenty-fifth Dynasty. The expedition also uncovered a stela of Queen Tabiry, initially misread as evidence of Libyan connections, and the undeciphered Meroitic inscription of King Tanyidamani. Additionally, a Hellenistic rhyton signed by Athenian potter Sotades was found at Meroe. These findings shed light on the cultural and historical significance of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Historic Monuments Zone of Tlacotalpan
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During Mexico's Porfiriato era (late 19th century), Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, exemplified the tension between liberal reforms and biopolitical control. This study reveals how local identity was both preserved and subjugated through economic and legal frameworks, analyzed via Michel Foucault's biopolítica lens. Cayetano Rodríguez Beltrán's 1902 text, <em>Perfiles del terruño</em>, depicts social typologies in Tlacotalpan as a cultural safeguard, yet simultaneously classifies its inhabitants as <em>homo œconomicus</em>—economic and legal subjects. The research decodes this paradox using Foucault’s 'conjunto económico-jurídico,' exposing how late 19th-century Mexican liberalism balanced freedom with new forms of domination. Key insights include the role of costumbrismo (local narrative traditions) in resisting or reinforcing biopolitical structures, offering a nuanced view of regional identity under Porfiriato rule.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
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"El Cercado del Marqués" in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, exemplifies the transition from a failed garden city concept to gentrification. Originally envisioned as a peripheral urban expansion with unifamiliar dwellings and green spaces, this 1930s project by architect J.E. Marrero Regalado reflected regionalist, eclectic, and rationalist architectural trends. However, its development diverged from the garden city ideal when one parcel was reclassified for collective use in 1965, paving the way for high-density construction. Recent plans by a major developer to build a residential complex with garages threaten the area's morphology, increasing traffic, reducing green spaces, and accelerating gentrification—a process that could erase its garden city heritage.
Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona
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Xavier Benguerel's 'Rèquiem a la memòria de Salvador Espriu' (1989), premiered at Palau de la Música Catalana, integrates seven poems by Salvador Espriu into a Tridentine Mass structure, creating a unique funeral work that blends religious ritual with poetic symbolism. This study reveals how Benguerel's musical choices—such as meditative profane interruptions—enhance the dramatic intent of Espriu's poetry while maintaining liturgical coherence. The analysis employs hermeneutic methods to assess the alignment between text and music, demonstrating Benguerel's distinctive approach to constructing funeral symbolism in sacred-commemoration works.
Amazonia Theaters
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Italian opera in Belle Époque Manaus, particularly at the iconic Teatro Amazonas, played a pivotal role in shaping national and transnational identities while reflecting global perceptions of civilization. The study reveals that tropical diseases significantly disrupted opera productions, challenging the region's image as part of a 'global fantasy of civilisation.' A notable shift from Italian to French repertoire at the turn of the twentieth century provides new insights into Amazonian cultural understandings of European identity, italianità, and civilization concepts.
Alto Douro Wine Region
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The cultural landscape of the Alto Douro Wine Region faces significant challenges in balancing tradition and modernity. Research indicates that the mythification of rural life and nostalgic vernacular architecture creates tensions in heritage preservation. The study explores how the development of a 'heritage-landscape' concept can contribute to contemporary wine architecture between 2001 and 2011, enhancing tourist activities and territorial valorization. This approach highlights the potential for sustainable development through architectural innovation while preserving cultural identity.
Trans-Iranian Railway
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Iran in Motion: Mobility, Space and the Trans-Iranian Railway by Mikiya Koyagi reveals that the Trans-Iranian railway network, constructed under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s regime, facilitated diverse mobilities and subjectivities beyond the state's initial intentions. The study demonstrates how technology transfer adapted to Iran's evolving needs reshaped national space and societal dynamics in the 20th century. By integrating historical analysis with mobility studies, Koyagi explores the railway's socio-political impact, highlighting its role in creating new forms of movement and identity. While the empirical evidence primarily focuses on elite perspectives, the book effectively theorizes the unintended consequences of railway-induced mobilities, particularly in religious pilgrimage contexts.
Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis
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A facsimile of the New Kingdom wall painting 'Drilling a Stone Vase' from Rekhmire's tomb (TT 100) in Ancient Thebes provides unprecedented insight into ancient Egyptian craftsmanship, materials, and ergonomics. Painted by Nina de Garis Davies in 1929, this tempera-on-paper reproduction captures the original's dimensions, colors, and texture with meticulous accuracy. The painting depicts a craftsman using a crank drill to perforate a stone vase, offering rare evidence of drilling techniques dating back to the 3rd Dynasty. Analysis reveals traditional artistic conventions in human representation, pigment sourcing (e.g., arsenic sulphides for yellow), and tool design, including the transition from bagged to solid ballast drills. Additionally, the facsimile highlights the tomb's historical significance as a visual record of Rekhmire's administrative role during Egypt's 18th Dynasty, showcasing diverse crafts and hieroglyphic texts that document ancient Egyptian society and labor practices.
Pitons Management Area
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A major destabilization structure at Piton de la Fournaise, capable of triggering catastrophic volcanic collapses, has been identified through 22 years of satellite imagery analysis. This spoon-shaped structure, characterized by a continuum of displacement from no slip to sheared sills and pure slip, connects arcuate dyke intrusions at depth with sill intrusions transitioning into a fault zone toward the sea. The study highlights how repeated magmatic intrusions into this structure could lead to significant flank failures, posing risks of large earthquakes and tsunamis. Researchers used inverse modeling to map 57 intrusive events between 1998 and 2020, shedding light on the complex interplay between dyke and sill intrusions and their role in volcanic instability.
Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur
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A Reactive Monitoring mission to Memphis and its Necropolis: the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (Egypt) concluded that, despite ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Cairo Ring Road and Giza Pyramids Plateau Development Project, there are no major threats to the property's outstanding universal value. However, the mission recommended continued monitoring of these projects to prevent further development or encroachment. The findings highlight the importance of proactive heritage impact assessments and documentation to safeguard World Heritage Sites from potential negative impacts of infrastructure development.
Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun
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A novel integrated approach using UAV photogrammetry and portable systems has been successfully validated for 3D documentation of cultural heritage sites, addressing challenges related to accessibility and material diversity. This method, applied to the Fort component of Qal'at al-Bahraindemonstrates its potential for generating high-accuracy metric data crucial for conservation decisions. The study highlights the approach's repeatability and applicability across similar contexts, offering a sustainable solution for remote and onsite heritage documentation. This work contributes to advancing digital preservation techniques for complex archaeological sites.
Aphrodisias
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A groundbreaking approach to illuminating UNESCO World Heritage Sites, specifically the Aphrodisias Open-Air Museum in Turkey, demonstrates how LED technology can enhance visual aesthetics while ensuring energy efficiency and preserving artifact integrity. The study successfully achieves these goals through 3D simulation and experimental analysis, identifying optimal light sources based on performance parameters such as Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), Color Rendering Index (CRI), and luminous efficacy tailored to the location and texture of artifacts. This method not only prevents visual discomfort but also promotes modern, sustainable lighting solutions for open-air museums in Turkey, facilitating safe nighttime visits while minimizing energy loss.
Gros Morne National Park
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A groundbreaking deep learning pipeline, 3DUNetGSFormer, achieves exceptional accuracy in wetland mapping, addressing the challenge of limited training data. This novel approach combines generative adversarial networks and Swin transformers to synthetically generate high-quality wetland training data, significantly improving classification performance. The methodology demonstrates a kappa coefficient, average accuracy, and overall accuracy of 96.99%, 97.13%, and 97.39% respectively, across pilot sites in Canada, including Gros Morne National Park. By leveraging advanced convolutional neural networks and vision transformers, this study opens new avenues for high-quality wetland data generation and classification, offering a scalable solution to ecosystem monitoring in degraded or lost wetlands.
Pasargadae
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New geophysical and archaeological research in Fars, southern Iran, has unveiled a distinct 'Persian conception of urbanism' at UNESCO World Heritage Sites Pasargadae and Persepolis. Unlike the structured Babylonian model, this approach incorporates heterogeneous layouts with alternating built spaces and extensive green areas. At Pasargadae, findings suggest an inhabited settlement adjacent to monumental Achaemenid structures, while at Persepolis, excavations in sectors like Persepolis West and Firuzi have revealed pre-Darius I monumental buildings, including the Gate of Tol-e Ajori, with Babylonian influences. These discoveries challenge previous assumptions about urban planning in ancient Persia.
Putorana Plateau
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A recent increase in fire frequency on the northwest Putorana Plateau, a remote and human-untouched region of subarctic Siberia, has been linked to climate-driven environmental changes. The study, spanning 1300 years, revealed that dry conditions during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (680–1200 C.E.) led to high fire activity and spruce expansion beyond its current range, while the Little Ice Age (1200–1850 C.E.) brought cooling, moistening, tundra expansion, and a sharp decline in fires. Post-1990, peat accumulation and water table rise coincide with a surge in charcoal deposition, indicating heightened fire activity. Multi-proxy analysis—including pollen, macrofossils, testate amoebae, and charcoal—provided these insights, offering a rare glimpse into natural climate-vegetation-fire dynamics in this pristine subarctic landscape.
Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City
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A 7000-year record of environmental change on the Hangjiahu Plain reveals how shifts in climate and hydrology shaped the rise and fall of the Liangzhu Civilization. The study, based on sediment core analysis from the Tangqi ZK-3 location, shows that a warm, humid climate with strong hydrodynamic forces prevailed before 7000 years ago, supporting mixed evergreen deciduous forests. Between 7000 and 6000 years ago, sea-level rise slowed, allowing higher grounds to emerge, coinciding with the Majiabang culture's development. From 6000 to 4500 years ago, a drier, cooler climate with deforestation created ideal conditions for the Songze and Liangzhu cultures. However, prolonged waterlogging and frequent floods between 4500 and 3000 years ago led to the decline of settlements and the civilization's eventual collapse. The research used OSL dating, grain size analysis, pollen analysis, and magnetic susceptibility to reconstruct these changes.
Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus
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A significant environmental crisis at the end of the Early Holocene, spanning approximately 8300 to 8000 calBP, is linked to the emergence of herding practices in the Sahara. Rock-art sites in Tadrart Acacus, such as Uan Muhuggiag and Takarkori, provide evidence for Africa's earliest domestic caprines and cattle, offering insights into the transition from foraging societies to early pastoral groups. The study highlights conceptual differences between Late Acacus foragers, who used rock art to define social boundaries, and early herders, who emphasized land ownership through burial practices. This research underscores the central Sahara's role in the broader Saharan transition, despite growing pressures of insecurity and conflict.
Nyungwe National Park
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Rwanda, despite its small size and complex history, supports a remarkably diverse mammal fauna. A comprehensive checklist identifies 205 species within four key areas: Parc National des Volcans, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and the eastern shore of Lake Kivu—covering nearly all known mammals in the country. While some records may require verification or future surveys, this study provides a critical baseline for Rwanda's mammalian biodiversity, including rare species like the mountain gorilla and golden monkey, which are significant to conservation efforts, particularly in UNESCO-listed Nyungwe National Park.
Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls
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Arab Jerusalem (1948–1967) emerged as a unique polity of 'in-betweenness,' balancing refugee identity with urban revival efforts despite partition and loss. The study reveals how Palestinian residents, local institutions, and Jordanian rule shaped its development, particularly through the municipality's resilience after losing key resources to Israel in 1948. Using archival records from Palestine, Israel, the UK, and Jerusalem’s municipal archives, it documents urban dynamics rarely explored in Nakba narratives, offering a nuanced perspective on post-1948 communal adaptation.
Changdeokgung Palace Complex
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A comparative analysis of the 'Bat Gate' motif in Joseon and Qing dynasty palaces reveals distinct national stylistic adaptations despite shared origins. The study found that while both cultures adopted the motif—popularized during China's Qing dynasty—Joseon's implementation, particularly in Nakseonjae at Changdeokgung Palace, was more abstract and simplified compared to the precise, symbolically rich designs seen in Beijing's Gongwangbu. This divergence reflects underlying cultural differences, even as both regions drew from similar historical influences, including ceremonial exchanges during King Jeongjo's reign (late 18th century). The research bridges gaps in prior studies by tracing the motif's reception and evolution through architectural elements like walls, columns, railings, and window frames.
Gough and Inaccessible Islands
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Research reveals that the evolution of large mandibles in Gough Island mice is driven by a complex genetic architecture, with multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL) contributing to mandibular shape and size. Unlike mainland mice, these island-dwelling rodents exhibit significant divergence in traits like temporalis lever arm length and condyle length, which influence jaw function. While most QTL effects are additive and dispersed, some, particularly those linked to body size, suggest directional selection may have played a role in the evolution of larger mandibles, possibly as a correlated response to overall body growth.
Mount Huangshan
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Huangshan National Forest Park demonstrates high-quality eco-environmental resources, earning a 'good' grade of 75.92 points in a comprehensive evaluation of its environmental quality for health ecotourism. The study, using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy math analysis, identified 12 key indicators to assess factors such as landscape attractiveness, air cleanliness, and cultural literacy of service personnel. Findings highlight the park's potential for sustainable health tourism, with its planned landscapes and expansive eco-environmental areas contributing significantly to its favorable score.
Complex of Koguryo Tombs
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A cross-cultural comparison of tomb murals from the Etruscan civilization (ca. 900 - 27 B.C.) and the Kingdom of Goguryeo (ca. 37 B.C. - 668) reveals striking similarities in their pictorial language, suggesting shared or universal values in early state formations. Both civilizations depicted themes such as tomb owners, banqueting scenes, hunting, and processions, indicating common social behaviors like ancestor cults and elite distinction. Unique elements—such as star constellations in Goguryeo and sex scenes in Etruscan art—highlight cultural peculiarities. The study analyzes these murals to uncover universal patterns while acknowledging cultural differences, offering insights into their perceptions of the afterlife and societal structures.
Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island
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A comprehensive dataset of vascular plant biodiversity from four UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, and the northern part of Okinawa Island—reveals a rich diversity of 381 species across 99 families. This dataset, collected using standardized belt-transect surveys between July 2012 and October 2020, provides critical baseline data for monitoring plant diversity in these ecologically significant regions. It includes detailed records of species occurrence, tree girth, and height measurements, serving as a foundational resource for future biodiversity assessments. The dataset is openly accessible via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) under a Creative Commons license, ensuring broad utility for researchers and conservationists.
Mantua and Sabbioneta
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A deep learning approach achieved 94% accuracy in classifying five types of urban ground pavements—sampietrini, bricks, cobblestone, stone, and asphalt—in the historical site of Sabbioneta, Italy. The method leveraged a Mobile Mapping System (MMS) to capture point cloud data, which was then rasterized and analyzed using a U-Net model coupled with ResNet 18. This high-precision classification offers a promising tool for automating pavement mapping in historical urban areas, supporting sustainable city management and smart urban planning.
Group of Monuments at Hampi
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A dramatic cultic and architectural shift occurred at Hampi’s Hemakuta Hill with the 12th-century construction of the Mula Virupaksha Temple, transitioning the site from a local Shaiva pilgrimage center to one dominated by the newly imported god Virupaksha. This study reveals how the temple’s innovative design—integrating natural landscape features and advanced planning—reshaped ritual practices and devotee experiences, setting a precedent that endured through the Vijayanagara Empire (mid-14th to late 16th centuries). To uncover these changes, researchers employed a digital methodology combining time-sensitive GIS maps with Google Street View’s panoramic capabilities, enabling ground-based analysis of non-ephemeral pilgrimage landscape features. This approach highlights the interplay between cultural transformation and architectural ingenuity in early medieval South Asia.
Shahr-i Sokhta
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Researchers have successfully demonstrated that non-destructive biotechnological techniques can extract valuable scientific data from fragments of human remains, preserving precious archaeological samples. Using a double burial from the Shahr-i Sokhta necropolis in southeastern Iran, the study employed micromolecular analysis via optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy to identify organic compounds like tubulin in subadult femur fragments. This approach, requiring only a few grams of sample, offers a groundbreaking method for interdisciplinary bioarchaeological investigations without compromising material integrity.
Wadi Rum Protected Area
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Researchers document the first occurrence of vegetation rings formed by Urginea maritima, a geophyte species thriving in the arid landscapes of Wadi Rum and Little Petra, Jordan. These rings, typically 40–90 cm in diameter, exhibit distinct soil properties: higher volumetric water content and organic carbon at the periphery compared to the center and surrounding matrix. The study proposes two potential mechanisms for ring formation—soil-water uptake competition among plants with extensive lateral roots, supported by numerical simulations, and negative plant-soil feedback from decomposing biomass releasing autotoxic compounds. These findings advance understanding of vegetation patterning in water-limited environments and highlight the ecological dynamics shaping desert ecosystems.
SGang Gwaay
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A high-success genotyping panel using noninvasive fecal and hair samples was developed to inform invasive Sitka black-tailed deer management on Haida Gwaii, Canada. The Genotyping-in-Thousands by sequencing (GT-seq) approach achieved 90.3% genotyping success across 244 loci, nearly matching the performance of tissue samples (92.4%). With only a 0.50% discordance rate between paired noninvasive and tissue samples, this method enables reliable individual identification, sex determination, and kinship reconstruction—critical for population management. The study demonstrates a proof-of-concept application on SGang Gwaay, a culturally significant island, showcasing the panel's potential to advance invasive species control while offering a scalable, quality-controlled workflow adaptable to other noninvasive genetic studies.
Maya Site of Copan
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A GIS-based Archaeoacoustics Toolbox, developed in Python, offers a replicable method to model the auditory experience of past landscapes, addressing critiques of experiential theoretical approaches. Validated against modern acoustical studies, this tool provides baseline estimates of sound perception by incorporating landscape acoustics into archaeological research. Applied to case studies—including the Maya Kingdom of Copan, Ancestral Puebloan sites in Chaco Canyon, and 19th–20th century Ireland—the tool demonstrates its versatility across cultures and time periods. By integrating sound physics calculations with culturally-derived inputs, it enables researchers to explore embodied auditory experiences, performance-based practices, and the significance of soundsheds in past societies. This approach bridges phenomenological studies with quantitative analysis, offering a novel framework for understanding how sound shaped human behavior and cultural landscapes.
Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage
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A comprehensive GIS-based methodology has been developed to inventory, analyze, and manage the historical heritage of Rabat, Morocco. This approach integrates archaeological, textual, iconographic, and photographic data to create a detailed database and thematic maps, including 3D visualizations. The study successfully established an exhaustive catalog of Rabat's monuments and sites, evaluating their historical significance and potential while assessing threats to archaeological areas like Chellah. By systematically documenting cultural assets—including adobe buildings—this methodology provides tools for heritage preservation, tourism development, and sustainable management, addressing critical challenges in Morocco's local development.
Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons)
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Tiranige, a Dogon language spoken on the western cliffs of the Bandiagara Plateau in Mali, exhibits a unique grammatical structure that bridges two distinct linguistic subgroups. Unlike other western Dogon languages, Tiranige uses pronominal-subject agreement suffixes for first and second singular pronouns while employing preverbal subject proclitics for first and second plural pronouns. This distinction sets it apart from both the Najamba-Kindige-Bondu group to the northeast, which also uses suffixes, and the southwestern Dogon languages like Bunoge, which rely on proclitics across all person markers. The grammar provides a detailed reference with interlinear texts and translations, offering valuable insights into the linguistic diversity of the region.
Niokolo-Koba National Park
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A rare discovery of the African softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis) in Senegal has doubled the known records for this species in the country, highlighting its potential presence only within a 10 km stretch along the south-west border of Niokolo-Koba National Park. The study, conducted through interviews with fishers and trapping efforts over two years, revealed that the turtle is now extremely rare, with sightings occurring approximately every five years. Three individuals were documented: one live adult and two juveniles, all found within a 150 km stretch along the Gambia River near Gouloumbou and Tako Mayo. Fishers reported significant declines in the species over the past 2-3 decades, suggesting historical presence that has since diminished due to opportunistic captures on fishing longlines. The research also involved training local fishers in measuring and marking turtles, fostering a partnership for future conservation efforts. Continued monitoring is deemed critical to ensure the survival of this imperiled species in Senegal.
Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage
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The Central Market of Rabat, built by French colonial powers between 1922 and 1925, represents a unique case study that both challenged and reinforced colonial urban planning agendas. This market, despite being a notable landmark in Rabat's history, had been overlooked until now. By analyzing National Moroccan archives and colonial postcards, the study reveals how the market defied key colonial planning principles such as the 'policy of association,' the 'image of the city,' and the 'dual city.' The demolition of the medina wall adjacent to the market exposed inconsistencies in colonial approaches, allowing the 'Ville Nouvelle' (New Town) to penetrate the medina. This research not only sheds light on the complexities of Rabat's colonial history but also provides insights into its contemporary identity, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 and recognized as a cultural capital in 2022.
Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps
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A critical hydrological shift during the Middle Holocene marked the onset of Late Neolithic wetland occupation at Pestenacker, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site 'Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps.' This study reveals that increased cooling and humidity triggered stream incision, draining wetlands and lowering groundwater tables—yet paradoxically created conditions favorable for settlement. By integrating archaeological excavation data with high-resolution fen stratigraphies, researchers reconstructed this tipping point, linking environmental change to human occupation patterns in the Loosbach valley of southern Germany.
Gough and Inaccessible Islands
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Invasive slugs, overlooked during planning, significantly interfered with the Gough Island mouse eradication attempt in 2021 by consuming bait pellets at rapid rates, leading to a critical drop in rodent bait availability. This unexpected challenge necessitated major adjustments to the baiting strategy, including a third application at higher rates, yet mice remain present on the island. The study highlights that non-target species interference could pose risks to future pest eradication efforts using baits and underscores the importance of early assessment during planning phases.
New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands
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Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) introduced to Auckland Island, New Zealand, in 1807 have significantly disrupted the island's ecosystem. A pilot study aimed at eradicating these invasive species tested multiple methods to address challenges such as biological, logistical, social, and funding constraints that often hinder long-term eradication efforts. The research evaluated the effectiveness of combined techniques for pig removal on a smaller scale, providing insights into strategies that could be scaled up for broader conservation efforts. While the study does not report definitive outcomes, it contributes to the growing body of work on invasive species management in subantarctic environments, offering practical guidance for future restoration programs.
Hierapolis-Pamukkale
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A rare and well-preserved Lydian funerary inscription, dating back to the 4th century BCE, was discovered in Denizli, Turkey. The marble stele, adorned with an anthemion relief, is now housed in the Hierapolis Museum in Pamukkale. This find, unearthed during excavations led by Professor Kadir Pektaş, provides valuable insights into Lydian language and culture. The inscription's length and good condition make it significant for both Anatolianists and Indo-Europeanists. Researchers present a detailed description of the stone, an edited transcription of the text with commentary, a partial translation, and historical context, shedding light on ancient Lydian society.
Bisotun
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A practical model and tool for community engagement in cultural heritage management have been developed, addressing longstanding gaps in stakeholder involvement. This approach bridges the gap between theoretical support for community participation—rooted in the Venice Charter (1964) and Faro Convention (2005)—and its implementation at the Bisotun World Heritage Site. The proposed framework aims to overcome challenges such as limited awareness of heritage rights among communities and reluctance from authorities, offering a structured method for inclusive decision-making. By providing clear guidelines and tools, this study contributes to shifting cultural heritage management toward a more participatory, people-centered approach.
Mount Etna
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A new model using Dominance-Based Rough Set Approach (DRSA) has been developed to support sustainable resource management in the Etna River Valleys Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO site. The study identifies both strengths and weaknesses in transitioning towards sustainable land management, emphasizing the need for strategic choices by stakeholders. This approach aligns with global sustainability goals, particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land), aiming to conserve biodiversity and promote territorial enhancement. The research provides a tool to navigate the complex mosaic of environmental, cultural, and economic factors within the reserve, while highlighting the necessity for information and financial support to sustain these efforts.
Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces
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A modified Location-Weighted Landscape Index (SLWLI) demonstrates high nutrient retention efficiency in the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces World Heritage Site, with sink landscapes accounting for 64% of the area and effectively retaining 72–86% of total nitrogen (TN) and 72–82% of total phosphorus (TP). Rice terraced fields, acting as composite source-sink landscapes, contribute significantly to nutrient regulation, reducing eutrophication risks. The vertical structure of the terraces further enhances their nutrient retention function. This study introduces SLWLI as a robust tool for assessing water quality in agricultural wetlands and identifying key areas for pollution control.
City of Valletta
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Research identifies key socio-spatial challenges in Valletta, Malta, as a microcosm of the country's multi-cultural identity. The study proposes guidelines for reshaping urban spatial order to better meet citizens' needs, addressing issues such as cultural integration and urban development. This work builds on collaborative efforts between Cracow University of Technology and the Maltese Consulate, culminating in architectural proposals developed by Master's students. These designs aim to reconcile historical heritage with contemporary urban demands, offering a model for sustainable, inclusive city planning.
Ivrea, industrial city of the 20th century
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A multicriteria decision aid methodology offers a promising approach to address the complex challenges faced by UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as demonstrated by its application to Ivrea, Italy's 54th site. This integrated framework combines Problem Structuring methods with Multicriteria models to structure fragmented knowledge and analytically evaluate alternative policies or projects, facilitating their ranking and selection. The study highlights how this approach can guide incremental knowledge development while fostering relationships among stakeholders, thereby reactivating the enhancement process of large, heterogeneous urban systems. By bridging technical analysis and stakeholder engagement through preparatory workshops, the methodology provides a robust tool for effective communication and decision-making in preserving such significant heritage sites.
Historic Centre of Florence
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A multidisciplinary approach has been developed to address the challenges posed by Pietraforte sandstone facades, a common yet vulnerable material in Florentine Renaissance architecture. This methodology combines historic analysis, architectural survey, and advanced diagnostics—including optometric, mechanical, physical, mineralogical, and petrographic characterization—to assess weathering and pollution-related decay. Applied to the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the study provides critical insights into the material's vulnerabilities, enabling the design of targeted restoration solutions and monitoring protocols. By integrating expertise from architecture, geology, and material diagnostics, this research aims to preserve Florence’s architectural heritage while ensuring visitor safety.
Antequera Dolmens Site
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A groundbreaking multimethod approach has successfully established the construction date of Menga, one of Europe's most remarkable megaliths and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Antequera Dolmens. This study overcame longstanding challenges in determining the temporality of Neolithic monuments that were not primarily used for burial and experienced prolonged use, which often obscures early material records. By analyzing 29 fresh numerical ages—including radiocarbon dating, optically stimulated luminescence, thermoluminescence, and uranium-thorium dating—the research team pinpointed Menga's genesis and contextualized it within its social and cultural milieu. This breakthrough offers new interpretations of the dolmen's role in local and supralocal processes, providing critical insights into early social complexity during the Neolithic period.
Historic Centre of Warsaw
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2022 —
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A proposed city museum in Russian Warsaw (1905–1915) served as a symbolic sanctuary of memory, reflecting the Polish intelligentsia's cultural and political modernization efforts. Despite never materializing, its planned location and exhibits—highlighting 18th-century history—demonstrated a collective historic consciousness and national ideal aimed at educating the broader population. This study reveals how urban revival and monument preservation became tools for reclaiming erased Polish heritage amid forced Russification, paralleling broader debates on self-governance and Warsaw's transformation from a fortress to a cultural hub.
Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
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2022 —
WHE3180CF4C53
A groundbreaking discovery by Reisner’s Nubian excavations solved the long-standing mystery of locating entrances to Nubian pyramids, which were traditionally positioned with sloping stairways outside the structures. This method was successfully applied across multiple pyramid sites, including Nuri and el-Kurru, leading to the uncovering of significant tomb treasures belonging to kings such as Aspelta (Nuri) and Taharqa (el-Kurru). Additionally, Gebel Barkal yielded a cache of colossal statues of Nubian kings. The research also documented historical challenges faced during excavations, including a fatal accident at Nuri Pyramid 5 and the impact of World War I on ongoing work.
Monte San Giorgio
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2022 —
WHED54E2059E9
A new family, genus, and species of fossil scorpion has been identified from the Meride Limestone (Middle Triassic) of Monte San Giorgio, Switzerland. This discovery provides significant evidence for the recovery of terrestrial scorpions following the Late-Permian mass extinction, suggesting that modern scorpions may have evolved from lineages present at least 240 million years ago. The fossil belongs to the superfamily Chactoidea, reinforcing the idea that extant scorpion families have ancient roots. The study combines detailed morphological analysis with phylogenetic reconstruction to classify this new taxon within existing familial groups.
