Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape
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2020 —
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In 2018, geophysical prospections at Pergamon revealed significant insights into the extent of an extraurban Roman thermal bath, advancing the understanding of the site's architectural layout. The campaign also marked the initiation of a new long-term project on the transformation of the Pergamon microregion during the Hellenistic to Roman Imperial periods. Additionally, geophysical investigations of the Tumulus Yığma Tepe provided concrete assessments of internal anomalies, while research on the Amphitheater addressed a critical gap in knowledge about the imperial-era metropolis. The study also explored rural settlement patterns and visual functions of the region through intensified surveys, contributing to a broader understanding of its cultural landscape. Conservation efforts included reconstructing a corner of the Palästra's peristyl and documenting damage in the East Thermes.
Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape
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2020 —
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A new research program at Pergamon, 'TransPergMikro,' has uncovered significant insights into the transformation of the region between the Hellenistic and Roman Imperial periods. Key discoveries include a Nischenwand (niche wall) in the amphitheater, providing evidence of water retention structures within the arena, and a previously unknown construction terrace near the Asklepieion, shedding light on land use and settlement patterns. Systematic excavations at the Banketthaus revealed its architectural design and functionality, while geophysical surveys completed investigations at Tumuli Yığma Tepe and X-Tepe. The study also highlighted a marbled complex in the Kaikos Valley, indicating advanced building techniques and ceramic production. Additionally, a survey in Pitane explored the extent of local pottery manufacturing, contributing to understanding regional economic activities.
Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape
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2020 —
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Research in the Dachstein Massif, Austria, reveals that permafrost is predominantly found in north-facing rock walls at elevations of 2600 to 2700 meters above sea level, with its distribution and thermal regime significantly influenced by slope aspect. Using a multi-method approach—including ground surface temperature monitoring, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and airborne photogrammetry—the study identified large permafrost bodies at north-exposed sites, characterized by high resistivities (>30,000 Ω m) indicative of frozen bedrock. A notable imprint of the former Little Ice Age (LIA) ice margin was detected, with distinct differences in resistivity above and below this line suggesting permafrost aggradation following glacier retreat. These findings provide critical insights into frost-influenced weathering and cirque erosion in high-mountain settings, particularly in the context of receding glaciers.
Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca
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2020 —
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George Town, Malaysia, exemplifies the dualism of urban tourism where historical preservation and dynamic tourism development coexist. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its permanent aspect is defined by legally protected architecture that maintains authenticity and historical value, while its temporary aspect thrives on events, festivals, and specialized facilities designed to boost tourism appeal. This balance highlights both positive and negative impacts, depending on the context and potential of the city. The study uses George Town as a case to analyze how urban tourism can be both a cultural asset and a developmental challenge.
Hatra
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2020 —
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A comprehensive onomastic resource for the Aramaic inscriptions of Hatra, an ancient multi-cultural trading hub between the Parthian and Roman empires, has been compiled by Enrico Marcato. This work updates and expands upon Sabri Abbadi's 1983 catalogue, incorporating nearly double the corpus of Hatran texts and refining interpretations based on advancements in Aramaic language understanding. The study presents 376 personal names with detailed etymologies, meanings, and cultural parallels, offering insights into the onomastic diversity and linguistic influences shaping Hatran society during the first millennium CE.
Ancient City of Aleppo
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2020 —
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Reconstruction of war-damaged historic cities, such as Aleppo, must prioritize the preservation of cultural heritage to restore collective memory and identity, preventing psychological trauma. The study highlights that without a value-based approach integrating theoretical and practical frameworks, post-conflict reconstruction risks further damage to urban integrity and historical identity. It proposes an integrated framework merging traditional rebuilding methods with insights from case studies, emphasizing the need for balanced assessment to avoid irreversible loss of Syria's cultural heritage.
Virunga National Park
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2020 —
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A recent study reveals a significant epidemiological linkage between peste des petits ruminants (PPR) outbreaks in livestock and exposure in wildlife within the northern Albertine Rift and Nile Basin, East Africa. The research identified widespread PPR virus (PPRV) exposure in healthy wildlife from South Sudan and Uganda, with antibodies detected in African buffaloes and Uganda kobs, indicating a spillover of the disease to wildlife populations. Outbreaks of PPR-like syndrome were also recorded in sheep and goats around the Greater Virunga Landscape, suggesting a transboundary spread of PPRV. The study's findings highlight the importance of PPR surveillance on wild artiodactyls for both conservation efforts and global eradication programs.
Surtsey
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2020 —
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A comparative petrographic analysis of basaltic lapilli tuff from Surtsey's 1979 and 2017 drill cores reveals evidence of rapid microbial activity, with tubular microstructures suggesting growth rates up to 30 µm in approximately 15 years. The study also identifies differential alteration processes in the volcano's structural and hydrothermal zones over time, while long-term storage significantly impacts glass stability. Narrow ash rims on pyroclasts indicate complex eruptive and depositional dynamics. Material measurements show varying oven-dry densities correlating with porosity and water absorption. This foundational work advances understanding of tephra alteration in volcanic and curatorial environments.
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park
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2020 —
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Researchers have identified Phaseolus albicarminus, a new wild bean species endemic to the subhumid forests of southern central Costa Rica. This discovery was made during a survey for populations of wild common beans on the slopes of Cerros Llano Bonito within the Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park. The new species is distinguished by unique morphological features such as short pseudoracemes with four small deltoid primary bracts, white wings contrasting with carmine purple inner faces of the standard, and smoothly curved pods with prow-shaped beaks. It differs significantly from closely related species like P. hygrophilus and P. angucianae in traits such as bract shape, bracteole size, calyx lobe structure, and pod dorsal suture. With only three known populations confined to a small area, the conservation status of P. albicarminus warrants immediate monitoring. The species is tentatively assigned to the section Brevilegumeni, which appears to be well-represented in Costa Rica.
Rock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave
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2020 —
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A groundbreaking metagenomic analysis of microbial colonies on the rock surfaces of Shulgan-Tash Cave revealed significant phylogenetic diversity among prokaryotes. The study found that Eubacteria dominate these communities (90%), with Archaea comprising 0.06-0.19%. Proteobacteria were the most abundant phylum (46.5-80.7%), followed by Actinobacteria (14-17.17%). Notably, non-culturable annamox bacteria, specifically Candidatus 'Scalindua brodae,' were identified in two samples near paleolithic drawings, indicating potential threats to the preservation of these ancient artworks. Additionally, three isolates of Pseudomonas mandelii were confirmed through 16S rRNA gene analysis. The findings highlight the advanced adaptation of these microbial communities to extreme cave conditions and underscore the need for continuous monitoring to protect the prehistoric paintings.
Island of Mozambique
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2020 —
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Researchers have identified a new species of freshwater crab, <em>Potamonautes licoensis</em>, from Mount Lico, a 'sky island' in Mozambique. Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA sequences revealed that this species diverged during the Miocene to Pleistocene era and is closely related to <em>Potamonautes choloensis</em>. The study suggests that the diversity of freshwater crabs in Mozambique is significantly underrepresented, highlighting the need for further systematic surveys. Additionally, it underscores the importance of conserving these mountainous 'sky islands' as they harbor unique biodiversity.
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica
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2020 —
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High genetic diversity and strong population structuring in the endemic Agave kerchovei suggest that Pleistocene glacial cycles shaped its distribution within the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley. The study sequenced three non-coding chloroplast regions from 128 individuals across eight populations, revealing total chloroplast genetic variation (Hd = 0.718) despite restricted distribution, with low intrapopulation diversity and high genetic structure (FST = 0.928). Ecological niche models indicated stable potential distribution since the middle Holocene (6 kya), while core valley populations appear distinct from peripheral ones, hinting at incipient speciation outside the Tehuacán Valley.
Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük
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2020 —
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A rich palette of pigments, used for objects, architectural paintings, and burial treatments, was identified at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük. This discovery, based on 25 years of research led by Ian Hodder (1993–2017), reveals the diverse applications and cultural significance of pigments spanning over a thousand years of the settlement's existence.
Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
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2020 —
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Improving access routes and facilities at the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove could significantly boost the livelihoods of local communities and create job opportunities, according to a study on pilgrimage circuits in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The research, conducted using ethnographic methods, highlights that enhanced infrastructure would not only facilitate better access but also mitigate challenges affecting the sacred grove's preservation. Located along the Osun River in Oshogbo, Nigeria, the site is a notable religious tourism destination, inscribed by UNESCO in 2005 for its cultural and spiritual significance.
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: the Mannerist Architectural and Park Landscape Complex and Pilgrimage Park
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2020 —
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During Poland's 19th-century partition, sanctuaries dedicated to Christ and the Virgin Mary emerged as pivotal sites for preserving national identity. A study highlights how Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, along with Łąki Bratiańskie and Jasna Góra, became focal points of mass pilgrimage movements that intertwined religious devotion with patriotism. These sanctuaries acted as cultural and spiritual strongholds, shielding Poles from the erosion of their national identity during a period of foreign domination. The research underscores how pilgrimage practices in these sites fused Polish identity with Catholicism, serving as both a symbol of resistance and a catalyst for the nation's eventual path to independence.
Monte San Giorgio
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2020 —
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New placodont fossils from the Triassic of Hungary reveal significant insights into the distribution and diversity of these marine reptiles. The study describes remains from two tectonic units: the Transdanubian Range, including a maxilla fragment identified as <em>Paraplacodus broilii</em> from the Anisian stage (similar in age to Monte San Giorgio), and a Carnian dentary fragment and teeth assigned to <em>Placochelys placodonta</em>. Additionally, a Rhaetian tooth fragment was found in the Keszthely Mountains. The most notable discovery is a rich Ladinian assemblage from the Villány Mountains, featuring cranial elements and teeth attributed to <em>Cyamodus sp.</em>, marking one of the last occurrences of this genus in Europe's Triassic sedimentary basins. This study highlights Hungary as a critical gap locality for understanding placodont evolution during the Late Triassic.
Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
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2020 —
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A critical analysis of threats to the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (TRHS), a UNESCO World Heritage Site 'in danger' since 2011, identifies road infrastructure development as the primary anthropogenic threat. The study proposes three urgent actions: establishing an inter-ministerial body to coordinate conservation efforts and mitigate road impacts; improving Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) through standardized training programs; and elevating existing regulations to a presidential-level policy to ensure consistency across sectors. These measures aim to address the fragmentation of protected areas, which endangers 85% of Sumatran orangutans, 65% of tigers, and other keystone species. The TRHS spans three national parks (Bukit Barisan Selatan, Kerinci Seblat, and Gunung Leuser) covering over 2.5 million hectares, with corrective actions requiring cross-agency collaboration to align subnational developments with central policies.
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas
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2020 —
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Yunnan, China, is a global hotspot for plant diversity, hosting over 19,000 higher plant species. However, significant threats such as habitat destruction, pollution, and overexploitation persist, leading to the decline or extinction of numerous threatened species despite conservation efforts. Research identifies southern, southeastern, and northwestern Yunnan as critical hotspots for biodiversity, including endemic, new, and threatened species, while highlighting conservation gaps in central, eastern, and northeastern regions. The study underscores the need for modern field investigations, systematic research, comprehensive databases, and government support to strengthen functional protection systems and advance plant conservation in the region.
Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory
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2020 —
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A groundbreaking study identifies five vascular plant species previously unknown to Tunisia, with two also representing new records for North Africa. These discoveries—<em>Bellis perennis</em>, <em>Carthamus creticus</em>, <em>Moraea mediterranea</em>, <em>Asplenium balearicum</em>, and <em>Galium minutulum</em>—were made on Tunisian islands (Galite, Zembra, Kuriat, Monastir, Kerkennah, Kneiss, Djerba) during field surveys since 2014. Additionally, the research documents 24 rare or poorly known taxa, most of which hold significant biogeographical interest and were predominantly found on eastern coastal islands. The findings underscore the critical role of these islands as biodiversity hotspots, emphasizing their importance for conserving Tunisia’s coastal plant diversity.
Historic Centre of Warsaw
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2020 —
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A newly interpreted architectural project, preserved in the collection of Tylman Gameren at Warsaw University, reveals the likely design of the north wing of Warsaw Castle around 1600. The study suggests that the project features corner pavilions and a grand pillar colonnade facing the collegiate church of St. John and the Old Town, challenging previous assumptions about the castle's expansion under King Sigismund Augustus. This reinterpretation is based on a critical analysis of the preserved architectural drawings, offering fresh insights into the evolution of Warsaw Castle during its early development.
Lower Valley of the Omo
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Research reveals that rainfall fluctuations over the Ethiopian Dome primarily controlled high-amplitude lake level changes in Lake Turkana during the Plio-Pleistocene, while tectonism regulated sediment supply from the western rift shoulder. The study identifies seven major transgression-regression cycles between 4.00 and 0.75 million years ago, with lower-amplitude cycles superimposed locally. By analyzing sedimentary facies, sequences, and δ13C values in soil carbonates, the team also reconstructed paleolandscapes and demonstrated distinct vegetation evolution in the Omo Valley and West Turkana. Additionally, two alternating sedimentary systems—wave- or river-dominated—were linked to variations in sediment supply from the Lapurr Range, driven by tectonic activity along the Murua Rith Lapurr Fault.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
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Plitvice Lakes National Park, renowned for its unique karstic watersheds and biodiversity, harbors two evolutionary distinct species of trout: Salmo labrax and Salmo trutta. This study, using mitochondrial gene markers from 150 trout samples across 17 localities, reveals low genetic diversity within populations and restricted gene flow, likely due to habitat fragmentation and degradation. The findings highlight the urgent need for conservation measures to protect these ancient yet endangered trout species, which coexist in both 'pure' and admixed populations.
Mbanza Kongo, Vestiges of the Capital of the former Kingdom of Kongo
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Mbanza Kongo, the former capital of the Kingdom of Kongo, holds deep cultural and religious significance for the Bakongo people. A study reveals that local narratives portray Kulumbimbi as a sacred landscape symbolizing prosperity, peace, and sovereignty, contrasting sharply with colonial Portuguese and UNESCO interpretations that emphasize Luso-African presence. The research employs traditional oral histories to uncover these layered historical perspectives, highlighting the tension between indigenous identities and external narratives in shaping heritage significance.
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
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A recent analysis reveals that deforestation due to logging in the core zones of Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) is no longer a significant factor in the decline of overwintering monarch butterfly populations. Despite dramatic population decreases, forest cover loss from logging has drastically reduced since 2011, coinciding with the implementation of strict conservation policies and economic incentives for local communities. The study attributes this success to collaborative efforts involving governmental agencies, NGOs, and academia, which have curbed illegal logging and increased social awareness. However, salvage logging from storms remains a concern, and broader threats such as habitat loss due to agricultural practices, disease, climate change, and pesticide use continue to endanger monarch populations.
Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea
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2020 —
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Stingless bees <em>Melipona rufiventris</em> and <em>M. quadrifasciata anthidioides</em> exhibit distinct pollen preferences within Rio de Janeiro's urban tropical forest, the Parque Nacional da Tijuca (PNT), reducing competition for resources. Analysis of pollen pellets revealed dominant plant sources such as Alchornea, Eucalyptus, Mimosa species, and Melastomataceae, with minimal overlap in foraging between the two bee species over a year. This suggests that diverse bee populations are crucial for maintaining pollination and ecosystem resilience in urban forests. The study employed non-destructive pollen collection methods to compare taxon percentages, offering insights into the ecological roles of stingless bees in preserving Atlantic rainforest biodiversity.
Babylon
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2020 —
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A first-of-its-kind study reveals significant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in urban street dust across residential, industrial, and commercial areas of Babylon governorate, Iraq. Total PAH concentrations averaged 1055 µg/kg, with high-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs dominating at 61.7%. Diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis (PCA) identified pyrogenic sources—such as vehicle emissions, fuel combustion, and coal/wood burning—as the primary contributors. The Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) model indicated potential health risks exceeding 10^-4 in all areas, highlighting urgent mitigation needs. This benchmark study provides critical data for future research on PAH pollution in Babylon.
Poblet Monastery
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2020 —
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Aragón’s royal court, particularly during the reigns of Kings John I and Martin I (14th century), played a pivotal role in disseminating ars nova polyphony—a groundbreaking musical style—across late medieval Catalonia. This study reveals that most surviving polyphonic fragments, though not definitively linked to royal commissions, align with court itineraries in key cities like Barcelona, Gerona, and Vilafranca del Penedès, as well as parish archives near the Royal Monastery of Poblet and Cervera. By analyzing archival evidence, researchers recalibrate our understanding of how these fragments connect to original manuscripts and institutions, challenging previous assumptions about their provenance and patronage.
Ujung Kulon National Park
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2020 —
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Research on Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, a fast-growing leguminous tree native to South and Southeast Asia, reveals significant variation in seed oil content—up to 44% when using solvent extraction—markedly higher than the 15–19% obtained via mechanical pressing. The study analyzed seeds from 48 individual trees in Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten Province, Indonesia, demonstrating that genetic factors, extraction methods, and machine types influence oil yield. These findings underscore the importance of seed quality and genetic diversity for industrial plantation programs aimed at bioenergy production and land restoration in Indonesia.
New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands
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A new population estimate for yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) in the Auckland Islands, New Zealand, suggests that breeding numbers have remained stable over recent years, averaging 577 pairs annually between 2012 and 2017. This finding contradicts earlier estimates based on beach counts, which indicated a potential decline but were deemed less reliable due to uncertainty. The study combined intensive nest-searching with counts of transiting penguins on Enderby Island over three years to establish a relationship between count numbers and breeding birds, then extrapolated these findings to estimate the population for the entire Auckland Island group. The subantarctic populations, particularly in the Auckland Islands, are critical, representing 37–49% of the total breeding population for the species. Researchers recommend ongoing monitoring, including mark-recapture methods, with at least 50% of individuals marked to improve the accuracy and confidence intervals of future estimates.
Simien National Park
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A study conducted in Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia, revealed a very small gelada (Theropithecus gelada) population size, averaging 105.5 individuals across wet and dry seasons. The research used total count methods to estimate population structure, classifying age and sex categories based on morphological characteristics. Findings indicated no statistically significant differences in age and sex group distribution between seasons, with a sex ratio of adult males to females ranging from 1:2.6 to 1:2.7. Group size variations were also observed seasonally. This is the first report of gelada population data for this region, highlighting the need for further monitoring to assess long-term trends and inform conservation strategies.
New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands
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Southern right whales exhibit strong habitat preference and social behavior in the Auckland Islands, indicating their role as a primary wintering ground. Research from 1995 to 1997 revealed high whale density (up to 146 individuals) in shallow nearshore waters, with 12% of the population consisting of cow-calf pairs. Molecular sexing showed no significant female-to-male ratio bias, while social/sexual activity dominated in groups of three or more whales. Photo-identification tracked 217 individuals, with resightings suggesting some seasonal movement to nearby Campbell Island. The study highlights a potential shift in habitat use post-exploitation, contrasting the rarity of these whales on New Zealand's main islands.
Ujung Kulon National Park
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A population analysis of the critically endangered Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) at Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia, reveals a moderate natural increase rate (17.34%) and high birth rate (67.33%), despite a net return rate below 100% due to prolonged breeding cycles. The study, based on data from 2011–2019, also found low inbreeding (0.01), suggesting genetic resilience but highlighting the need for population growth to sustain long-term survival. The research utilized monitoring records to assess demographic parameters, providing critical insights for conservation efforts.
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System
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A groundbreaking analysis of the Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean Road System, challenges the prevailing narrative that the transition from pre-Hispanic to colonial Peru involved a complete restructuring of the Andean space. This study reveals significant continuity in the use of these roads across historical periods, despite the collapse of the Inca administrative system. By examining variations in routes and traces through a diacronic lens, researchers demonstrate how the Qhapaq Ñan persisted and influenced geopolitical and social organization from colonial times to contemporary Peru. The findings underscore the importance of considering continuities alongside changes when constructing Peruvian history, offering a more nuanced understanding of territorial evolution.
Australian Convict Sites
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Port Arthur and the Coal Mines Historical Site in Australia bear the lingering legacy of 'anti-sodomitical hysteria,' a historical phenomenon tied to the anti-transportation movement that shaped Australia's penal landscape. This study reveals how the spectre of homophobia persists, even as same-sex relationships gain social acceptance. By analyzing references to 'unnatural acts' in historical texts and public discourse, the research demonstrates the enduring impact of 19th-century moral panics on contemporary Australian consciousness. The approach combines archival analysis with critical historical reading, offering a nuanced perspective on how heritage sites grapple with complex, often uncomfortable histories.
The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal
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Early English settlement policies in Jamaica aimed to establish patriarchal households, but the colony's entrepreneurial focus and lax enforcement of sexual behavior led to a diverse group of women—including wives, widows, indentured servants, and prisoners—seizing economic opportunities. These women played pivotal roles in turning Port Royal into a hub for both licit and illicit trade, while also investing in Atlantic slavery, thereby ensuring the participation of future generations of female islanders in slaveholding.
Historic Centre of Urbino
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Porta Valbona, Urbino's most significant historic gate, stands as an exceptional urban palimpsest, preserving layers of historical evolution despite centuries of restorations. Built in 1621 for a royal wedding, its monumental facade and limestone eagles (18th-century additions) exemplify the city's architectural heritage. A multidisciplinary study—integrating urban, historical, geometric, material, and structural analyses—revealed Porta Valbona’s enduring testimonial, constructive, and architectural values. Leveraging GIS systems, researchers mapped its shape and resilience, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to inform conservation strategies. This approach offers a model for studying and preserving complex monumental heritage sites.
Studenica Monastery
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A rare, fragmentary portrait of Grand Knez Vukan, the only modern one surviving, was discovered on the North wall of Studenica Monastery's main entrance tower. This finding suggests that Vukan, a ktetor (patron) of the monastery, may have been depicted in a larger composition alongside Simeon and his three sons, approaching the Mother of God and Christ. Unlike other Nemanjić family members, Vukan was excluded from primary family compositions due to his complex relationship with his brother Stefan, stemming from a civil war. However, after reconciliation brokered by Saint Sava, Vukan's role in transferring their father's relics was acknowledged, integrating him into the monastery's iconographic program and founder's inscription. This study sheds light on the ideological significance of frescoes in Studenica Monastery, reflecting the Nemanjić dynasty's emphasis on brotherly love and harmony.
Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato
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The tourism sector, already resilient but facing unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19, can recover through sustainable measures that leverage global best practices and stakeholder collaboration. This study identifies replicable strategies for reviving tourist destinations like Lake Como, the Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont (Langhe-Roero and Monferrato), and the Amalfi Coast by analyzing historical trends, local governance, and stakeholder insights. It proposes a multidisciplinary approach integrating planning, business management, and tourism governance to mitigate long-term economic damage. Key recommendations include rapid academic and public sector intervention, safe travel protocols, and cross-sector partnerships to restore industry growth.
Medina of Tunis
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Tunis emerges as a paradigmatic case of an Arab revolutionary city, where the aftermath of the Arab Spring continues to shape urban landscapes through incremental, differentiated practices. This study identifies five key sites in Tunis—Medina and Avenue Bourguiba (national public spaces), Avenue Mohamed al-Khamis and Les Banlieues Nords (regime landscapes), and Qsar Bardo (a site of overlapping national and local governance)—as focal points of conflict over identity, heritage, security, and political legitimacy. These sites, endowed with collective memories and symbolic significance, serve as arenas where the new regime and citizens collectively negotiate the city's future. The research employs a multi-scaled approach combining fieldwork, regional analysis, and comparisons with international cases to trace how revolutionary practices materialize in urban spaces, offering insights into the enduring consequences of political transformation on cities.
Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca
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Adaptive reuse of historic buildings, a key strategy for conserving UNESCO World Heritage Sites like George Town, Malaysia, has not yet delivered stable financial returns for museums. Despite efforts to revitalize these structures, adaptive reuse museums face challenges such as low ticket sales revenue, high operational costs, and limited appeal to younger generations or business funders. A post-conservation evaluation (PCE) of four museums in George Town—Penang State Museum, Made in Penang Interactive Museum, Batik Painting Museum, and Dark Mansion-3D Glow in the Dark Museum—revealed that their financial performance remains unstable due to insufficient income generation relative to maintenance expenses. This study highlights the need for better financial strategies or decision-making frameworks to ensure sustainable adaptive reuse projects in culturally significant heritage buildings.
Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)
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Holocaust tourism, including visits to sites like Auschwitz-Birkenau, plays a significant role in shaping collective memory and remembrance of the Holocaust. Contrary to perceptions that such tourism is commercial or superficial, it serves as a vital component in efforts to understand and remember this pivotal historical event. Daniel P. Reynolds' work reveals how tourism, influenced by Cold War politics, the 'memory boom' of the 1980s, and the fading eyewitness accounts, has evolved into a global phenomenon with diverse forms and interests. Through on-site explorations, contributions from Holocaust and tourism studies, and tourist observations, the study underscores the importance of tourism in challenging humanity's ideals and learning from the past.
Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata
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The documentary 'Le Cercle des noyés' (Drowned in Oblivion) by Pierre-Yves Vandeweerd exposes the systemic political tyranny and collective amnesia in Mauritania, particularly targeting the Black minority. Through poignant testimonies of former detainees from Oualata's fort—described as a 'fort-mouroir' or death camp—and striking black-and-white imagery, the film challenges postcolonial narratives by problematizing historical representation and state-sanctioned violence. It serves as both a gesture against forgetting and a parable applicable to broader contexts of oppression, such as Guantánamo. The research approach combines aesthetic reflection with political analysis, avoiding sloganeering while delivering a powerful critique of power misuse and injustice.
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas
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Under climate change, the invasive grass <i>Tithonia diversifolia</i> is projected to expand its distribution in Yunnan Province by 12% (RCP2.6) and 93% (RCP8.5) by the 2050s, posing significant risks to protected areas. Currently affecting 26 sites across 2,822 km², its impact is expected to rise by 23–53%, with additional protected areas at risk under higher warming scenarios. The study used species distribution modeling to assess future threats, highlighting the need for climate mitigation and reduced human disturbance to safeguard native ecosystems in southern, southeastern, and northwestern Yunnan.
Ujung Kulon National Park
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A study reveals that Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the last habitat for the critically endangered Javan rhino, faces significant tsunami hazard potential. Simulations using the shallow water equation model indicate that tsunamis originating from Mount Anak Krakatau or the Sunda Arc subduction zone could reach heights of up to 12.9 meters along the park's 190 km coastline. This vulnerability threatens the preservation of UKNP's unique biodiversity, including its rare Javan rhino population, which numbers fewer than 100 individuals. The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced management strategies to mitigate tsunami risks and safeguard this irreplaceable natural heritage.
City of Potosí
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Potosí is recognized as one of the most significant historical subjects due to its extraordinary silver mines, which played a pivotal role in global trade, colonial society, and environmental degradation. Kris Lane's comprehensive study, 'Potosí: The Silver City That Changed the World,' highlights the city's dual nature—innovation and creation alongside archetypal violence against humans and their environment. The research meticulously uses primary sources, including colonial writings, notary records, and judicial cases from Bolivian archives, along with images and photographs, to present a nuanced narrative of Potosí's history from its discovery in 1545 through the mid-twentieth century. This approach challenges readers to confront the moral ambiguities embedded in Potosí's complex history, offering insights relevant to global historical settings.
City of Potosí
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Potosí, the historic silver city in Bolivia, stands as a pivotal case study in global economic and social transformation. Kris Lane's work reveals how Potosí's vast silver deposits, discovered in 1545, fueled the Spanish Empire's economy, reshaping global trade networks and labor systems. The research employs a 'longue durée' approach, tracing Potosí's evolution from its founding to the wars of independence, highlighting its role as a microcosm of colonial exploitation and indigenous resilience. This study underscores Potosí's enduring legacy in shaping world history through its economic dominance and complex social dynamics.
City of Potosí
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2020 —
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Potosí, the historic silver city in Bolivia, stands as a testament to the profound global impact of its silver mining during colonial times. The study highlights how Potosí's vast silver deposits, exploited extensively from the 16th century onward, became the backbone of the Spanish Empire's economy and reshaped global trade dynamics. The research underscores the city's role in facilitating the transatlantic slave trade, as African labor was brought to sustain the grueling mining operations. Additionally, it explores Potosí's architectural and urban development, which reflects the convergence of European, Indigenous, and African influences, creating a unique cultural and historical landscape. The study employs archival research and historical analysis to trace the city's economic significance, its societal transformations, and its enduring legacy as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stone Town of Zanzibar
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2020 —
WHEE1569E4B91
Archival readings of architecture, while common in scholarly work on Zanzibar's Stone Town, can obscure the island's complex and layered histories rather than illuminate them. This study demonstrates that such approaches often romanticize a past Indian Ocean cosmopolitanism at odds with Zanzibari reality, using the Khoja Jamatkhana as a case study. By analyzing formal architecture and historical context through the lens of contemporary artist Zarina Bhimji's work, the research reveals how archival readings limit our understanding of space-history relationships. The findings suggest that abstracting history in this manner restricts rather than expands our grasp of Zanzibar's architectural heritage.
Ennedi Massif: Natural and Cultural Landscape
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2020 —
WHEC0BFBC384B
Pre-Islamic oasis settlements in the southern Sahara, particularly those around mountain massifs like Ennedi, Tibesti, Aïr, and Tassili n’Ajjer, are characterized by limited agricultural suitability due to variable rainfall and dynamic wadi systems. These regions, though historically important for pastoralism, lack stable conditions for oasis agriculture, contributing to the poor preservation of archaeological remains. The study highlights that while these areas once supported crocodile populations—evidenced by 19th- and early-20th-century reports—their environmental constraints have hindered long-term settlement stability.
Ningaloo Coast
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2020 —
WHE06A9F2B4FA
Ningaloo Niño, a significant ocean-atmosphere climate event in the southeastern Indian Ocean, triggers distinct precipitation patterns off Western Australia. While sea surface temperature warming is most pronounced near western Australia (WA), the heaviest rainfall occurs off northwestern Australia (NWA). This discrepancy arises from differing moist static energy (MSE) transport processes: positive vertical MSE transport heats and moistens WA's atmosphere, but this effect is offset by negative horizontal advection. In contrast, NWA experiences significant radiative heating, surface heating, and both horizontal and vertical MSE advection, leading to intense summer precipitation. The study analyzed column-integrated MSE budgets to reveal these mechanisms, offering new insights into the rainfall patterns associated with Ningaloo Niño.
