City of Potosí
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2019 —
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Potosí's Cerro Rico, discovered in 1545, became the world's richest silver mine, fueling the Castilian Crown's economy and global trade. Kris Lane's book traces its impact from 1545 to Bolivia's independence in 1825, revealing how Potosí silver shaped economic systems and political power. The research highlights the mine's role in financing European expansion, minting high-value coins like the real de a ocho, and sustaining the Catholic Church's influence. Lane's approach combines historical narrative with economic analysis, supported by chroniclers' accounts and innovative experiments, such as Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie's tracing of Potosí silver in global circulations, demonstrating its enduring legacy.
Kronborg Castle
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2019 —
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A 16th-century heraldic controversy over the use of the three-crown symbol, associated with the Kalmar Union, remains unresolved despite the war between Denmark-Norway and Sweden (1563–1570). The study reveals that the Danish king, Frederik II, deliberately incorporated the three-crown motif into Kronborg Castle’s architecture, including spires and weather vanes, to assert his claim over this powerful symbol. This act underscores the personalization of politics in Scandinavia during this period, where royal reputation was inextricably linked to national identity. The research highlights how art and heraldry served as tools for propaganda, often functioning as indirect attacks on rival monarchs' reputations. By analyzing historical records and iconography, the study provides insight into the enduring significance of symbolic power in early modern Scandinavian politics.
Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
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2019 —
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A collaborative approach between researchers and local associations at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou reveals both positive social impacts and significant challenges, including resistance. The study highlights how community engagement can foster sustainable development but also underscores the complexities and tensions that arise in such dynamic processes.
Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire
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2019 —
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Local communities in Cumalıkızık, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its cultural heritage, demonstrate strong support for sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural assets. A 2018 survey revealed high awareness among residents regarding the importance of tourism and the need to protect their heritage, while also recognizing both potential benefits and risks associated with tourism development. This study highlights the significance of local engagement in balancing tourism growth with the conservation of cultural values, offering insights for similar heritage sites.
Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire
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2019 —
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Cultural landscapes, characterized by their unique identity and local heritage, play a pivotal role in sustaining rural tourism. A study on Bursa-Cumalıkızık reveals that these landscapes significantly influence rural tourism utilization. The research identifies key cultural landscape values through fieldwork, observations, and expert consultations, then assesses their impact using SWOT analysis and TOWS matrices. Findings underscore the importance of preserving these values for effective rural tourism planning, aiming to provide a foundation for future development strategies in the region.
Ancient City of Aleppo
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2019 —
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Research on the seismic safety of the Ummayyad Minaret in Aleppo reveals that its original masonry structure, despite surviving centuries of adversity, meets modern seismic safety standards. This finding justifies the use of traditional reconstruction techniques for the minaret, which was destroyed during recent conflicts. The study employed a combination of historical documentation and advanced structural analysis, comparing simplified global evaluations with nonlinear models to assess seismic capacity accurately. While the original construction methods demonstrated resilience, the research highlights the need to integrate modern technologies, such as specialized materials and strengthening criteria, to address gaps in contemporary knowledge about traditional techniques.
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai
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2019 —
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A significant portion of Tournai's pre-1800 library collections, including rare and historical documents, was dispersed after the 1940 destruction of its City Library. Today, only scattered duplicates—preserved in Brussels, Mons, or private holdings—offer a glimpse into these lost archives. This study highlights the Royal Library of Belgium’s acquisition of 82 Tournai duplicates in 1871, revealing that many were not mere second copies but irreplaceable patrimonial records. By analyzing surviving fragments and sales records, it reconstructs the scope of Tournai’s lost library heritage while addressing broader challenges of duplicate management across European institutions.
Dougga / Thugga
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2019 —
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A comprehensive analysis of domestic pottery from the Ain Wassel excavation at Dougga (Thugga), Tunisia, reveals a rich assemblage of 8233 fragments, predominantly Common Ware, with significant quantities of Kitchen Calcitic Ware and African Red Slipped Table Ware. The study, integrating previously unstudied sherds, identifies 1250 forms, providing insights into local or regional production patterns from the late 6th to early 8th century AD. Notably, a redefined class of Rouletted African Kitchen Ware, linked to central Tunisian productions, was identified, along with evidence of residual pottery dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD. The findings, derived from both excavation and survey data, contextualize North African rural consumption patterns within the Byzantine West.
Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco
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2019 —
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Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the urban-rural periphery of Mexico City, faces complex challenges due to tourism-driven urbanization. This study reveals that government strategies have reshaped its landscape, triggering socio-economic and environmental conflicts. By analyzing historical policies, researchers identify how tourism development has altered territorial dynamics, particularly in peripheral areas like Xochimilco. The findings highlight the need for sustainable planning to address these multifaceted impacts, offering insights for future urban-rural management in similar contexts.
Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
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2019 —
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The construction of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León's (UANL) university city campus (1950–1969) mirrored the architectural and institutional model of Mexico City’s UNAM but faced significant challenges due to limited federal support. Unlike UNAM, which received robust backing from the central government, UANL relied on local patronage, including partial corporate sponsorship, and navigated political hurdles such as a 1952 federal decree that imposed restrictive conditions on land use. The study highlights the pivotal role of rector and governor Raúl Rangel Frías in driving the project forward despite these obstacles. By analyzing archival records and comparing UANL’s development with its predecessors—ITESM (Tecnológico de Monterrey, founded 1945) and UNAM—the research contextualizes UANL’s emergence as Mexico’s second major university campus, emphasizing its delayed but resilient progress.
Colonial City of Santo Domingo
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2019 —
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This study reveals the violent and racially charged origins of Spanish imperial imagery in Santo Domingo, which became the blueprint for colonial landscapes across the Americas. It demonstrates how the destruction of indigenous worlds and the racialization of space were fundamental to the creation of this landscape, challenging its perceived naturalness. Through a meticulous analysis of primary sources from 1492 to 1548—including chronicles, travel itineraries, ordinances, and Crown letters—the research conceptualizes the landscape as both ideology and practice, uncovering the systemic violence, displacement, and resistance embedded in colonial urban development. By centering the Caribbean within European modernity, the study re-evaluates indigenous and African Maroon counter-imagery, highlighting ongoing patterns of destruction and racism in colonial landscapes.
Sebastia
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2019 —
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Despite Nablus' rich historical heritage, spanning from Roman antiquity to Mamluk and Ottoman influences, its patrimonialization process faces significant challenges that hinder its potential inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The study identifies key obstacles including land pressure competing with urban development, insufficient resources and regulatory frameworks for heritage protection, and political priorities that marginalize heritage conservation efforts. While Hebron's old town has recently been listed, Nablus struggles due to these systemic issues, revealing the complex interplay between occupation, governance, and cultural preservation in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain
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2019 —
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Research indicates that the Camino Francés, one of the most heavily trafficked routes of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage, is experiencing significant overcrowding. This study, based on a quantitative analysis of 385 responses from pilgrims, reveals that current tourist levels are altering the route's identity and could pose long-term challenges. The investigation focuses on perceptual carrying capacity, assessing how increased visitation impacts the pilgrimage experience. Findings suggest that while the Camino Francés remains a vital cultural and spiritual pathway, its sustainability is at risk due to rising demand, necessitating further attention to preserve its unique characteristics.
Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau
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2019 —
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A transdisciplinary approach integrating architecture, pedagogy, and neurocience reveals that spatial design significantly influences learning processes. The study identifies two key dimensions: the building's morphological characteristics across scales (classrooms, common areas, envelope, urban connections) and its content (furniture, objects, technologies). These dimensions actively shape the learning experience of students in architecture schools. By analyzing the Bauhaus Dessau and ENSA Nantes—pioneering examples where space is designed to facilitate active learning—the research demonstrates how intentional spatial design can enhance pedagogical outcomes, with ENSA Nantes extending this learning beyond the university environment.
Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco
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2019 —
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Religious festivals, particularly the Niñopa celebration in Xochimilco, Mexico City, serve as significant economic and cultural drivers through implicit marketing strategies. This study reveals that such festivities generate substantial tourist appeal and financial resources for local communities, while also reinforcing social and cultural identity. The research employed a qualitative, ethnographic, and descriptive approach to analyze the Niñopa festival, highlighting its role in both economic derrama (local income generation) and cultural preservation. Findings underscore the importance of religious celebrations as both economic catalysts and repositories of tradition, offering insights into how empirical marketing practices shape community dynamics within UNESCO-recognized heritage sites.
Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata
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2019 —
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A newly discovered ivory statuette from Pompeii, likely of Indian origin, challenges conventional understandings of Roman material culture. This rare artifact, found in 1938, raises questions about its iconography, provenance, and symbolic significance within Roman society. By drawing parallels with Ovid's Metamorphoses—particularly myths linking ivory to female prostitution—and Roman banquet customs, the study suggests that such objects were displayed not merely for aesthetic value but as conversation catalysts during elite gatherings. This emic approach shifts focus from artifact analysis alone to its social function and perceived meaning among Pompeiians, offering a nuanced interpretation of how exotic goods were integrated into daily life.
Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture
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2019 —
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A groundbreaking bioarchaeological study of the Tiwanaku state (A.D. 500–1100) reveals how labor was organized by elevation, environment, and gender within its multiethnic society. Analyzing skeletal remains from Bolivia and Peru, researchers identified distinct patterns of osteoarthritis in wrists, hands, ankles, feet, and spines, linking them to occupational tasks and subsistence practices. The findings suggest that while heartland populations showed minimal task differentiation, indicating reciprocal and heterarchical labor structures, colonial regions exhibited significant variations, reflecting specialized labor divisions. This approach bridges archaeological taskscape theory with bioarchaeology, positioning ancient Tiwanaku individuals as active agents in understanding prehistoric labor dynamics.
Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan
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2019 —
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Apartment compound construction at Teotihuacan during the Tlamimilolpa phase (AD 250–350) was not a uniform process but rather a diverse one, involving state labor mobilization, communal labor obligations, and corporate labor exchange. This study reveals that while residents relied on external labor forces for construction, the procurement, transportation, and production of building materials were centrally organized, indicating a state labor tax. Architectural energetics and archaeometric analysis of nonlocal materials, such as lime plaster and andesitic cut stone blocks, provided evidence for this complex labor organization. The findings suggest that urban transformation at Teotihuacan was a bottom-up process, contrary to the previously assumed top-down planning implied by its orderly layout.
Lower Valley of the Omo
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2019 —
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A critical reassessment of lake-level dynamics and hominin occupations in the arid Turkana Basin reveals that volcanic activity, not climate change alone, primarily drove the closure of the Omo River’s outflow to the Indian Ocean. This challenges prior interpretations by Boës et al. (2018), who attributed such changes to climatic shifts. The study employs sedimentological and stratigraphic analyses to demonstrate how volcanic eruptions altered drainage patterns, creating a more arid environment that influenced hominin adaptations. These findings underscore the complex interplay between geological events and environmental conditions in shaping human evolution in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape
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Archaeological evidence from northern Mongolia reveals early human habitation in the steppe regions, including the Selengge, Tula, and Orkhon river valleys. This challenges the notion that nomadic life emerged later in history, suggesting a continuous presence of humans in these areas since the Paleolithic era. The study employs a geographical approach to contrast the arid nomadic lands north of the Great Wall with the intensively farmed monsoon regions to the south, highlighting the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape as a key heartland for historical dominion and trade route control. By mapping the extent of power and activity from Manchuria to eastern Europe, the research underscores the strategic significance of the Mongolian plateau in shaping East Asian and global history.
Galápagos Islands
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Invasive plants dominate the agricultural landscape of the Galápagos Islands' non-protected highlands, covering 28.5% of the area—more than any other land cover type. This finding emerges from a high-resolution land cover classification study that combined PlanetScope and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery with UAV validation, achieving strong accuracy (overall Kappa: 0.7, R²: 0.69). The research reveals that pastures (22.3%), native vegetation (18.6%), food crops (18.3%), and mixed forest/pioneer plants (11.6%) follow in prevalence, reflecting historical colonization patterns. By leveraging object-based classification with a RandomForest algorithm, the study provides a baseline dataset to support both conservation efforts and agricultural practices, bridging gaps between these critical disciplines.
Historic City of Toledo
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Spanish medium-sized cities, including the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Toledo, experienced significant urban sprawl and land squandering from the mid-1990s to 2008. This process, driven by speculation and profit, transformed compact urban forms into disjointed spaces, particularly in peripheral districts. The study highlights how Toledo's urban expansion extended into its hinterland while also noting internal dispersion through the 'Ensanche' (widening) process in the late 20th century. Using urban estate cadaster data alongside fieldwork and bibliographic research, the authors demonstrate that such growth patterns resulted in fragmented urban landscapes. This research underscores the consequences of unchecked land development on historic cities.
Churches of Moldavia
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2019 —
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Significant land use changes over the past century have been identified around several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Northern Romania, including Probota, Humor, Patrauti, and Arbore churches. These changes, analyzed through historical maps (1917) and modern orthophotos (2005, 2016), reveal deforestation and anthropogenic environmental alterations that threaten the integrity of these monuments. In contrast, Sucevita, Voronet, and Moldovita churches retain their natural Bukovina landscape, while Suceava church is embedded in a highly urbanized environment. The study highlights the vulnerability of these sites to human-induced changes, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to preserve their cultural and ecological significance.
Sacred City of Kandy
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Between 1996 and 2017, Kandy City, Sri Lanka, experienced a dramatic expansion of impervious surfaces (IS), growing from 529 hectares to 5833 hectares—an annual increase of 11.1% to 12.2%. This rapid urbanization intensified the surface urban heat island (SUHI) effect, with persistent IS areas exhibiting significantly higher land-surface temperatures (LST) than newly added IS, averaging 1.43°C warmer due to their dense urban surroundings. The study, using Landsat data and geospatial techniques, revealed that while forest cover declined, strategic green landscape management could mitigate SUHI impacts. These findings underscore the critical role of LULC changes in shaping long-term urban heat dynamics.
Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region
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A comprehensive landform mapping of Okinoshima Island and the seabed of Munakata City reveals significant geological insights, contributing to the understanding of the Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region. The study identifies a horseshoe-shaped caldera structure formed by the set of islands, with Okinoshima rising approximately 340 meters above a flat seabed. Topographic analysis shows a shallow flat table to the west and a concave area inclining eastward. Using GIS, the research integrates ground elevation maps, slope maps, relief maps, and 3D images, alongside geospatial data from GSI and JHA, to classify landforms such as crests, steep cliffs, and talus cones. The findings highlight restricted access areas while providing valuable references for understanding the island's formative processes.
Ujung Kulon National Park
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Landsat-8 multispectral satellite imagery effectively identifies key biophysical parameters crucial for the survival of the critically endangered Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) in Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia. The study demonstrates that this remote sensing approach can accurately map essential habitat characteristics such as slope, altitude, vegetation cover index, temperature, and proximity to water sources like puddles, rivers, beaches, and glades. By integrating these parameters into a spatial distribution model, researchers have developed digital maps that visualize suitable habitats for the Javan Rhinoceros, offering actionable insights for conservation efforts. This method provides a scalable and precise tool for in-situ conservation planning, addressing critical gaps in environmental data needed to protect this iconic species.
Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura
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A groundbreaking geoarchaeological study of the Ach and Lone valleys in the Swabian Jura challenges the long-held assumption that Southwest Germany experienced significant depopulation during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). By integrating micromorphological analysis, FTIR methods, sediment coring, geophysics, and radiocarbon dating, researchers found evidence suggesting human presence in the region between 26,000 and 13,500 years ago—a period previously thought to be uninhabited. The study reveals that erosional phases in cave sites may have obscured archaeological records of Gravettian occupations, rather than indicating a true absence of humans. Additionally, it shows no direct evidence for colder climatic conditions at the time of early modern human arrival, contradicting earlier hypotheses. These findings reshape our understanding of landscape evolution's impact on the region's archaeological narrative and the timeline of human occupation in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato
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Researchers developed an integrated methodology to measure the economic attractiveness of rural landscapes, specifically applying it to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Piedmont, Italy: the Moraine Amphitheatre of Ivrea and the vineyard landscape of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato. The study introduced a synthetic index—Landscape Economic Attractiveness Index (LEAI)—derived from a system of landscape indicators, which was then integrated into a dynamic model to assess its role in human mobility across multi-pole systems. This approach provides actionable insights for policymakers aiming to guide landscape and territorial transformations while preserving cultural and environmental integrity. The methodology offers a framework for evaluating rural landscapes' economic potential, supporting sustainable development strategies.
Kernavė Archaeological Site (Cultural Reserve of Kernavė)
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2019 —
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Research challenges long-standing assumptions about the origins of the Peninsula Castle in New Trakai, revealing it was not artificially constructed but rather a transformed glacial hill. This finding contrasts with previous scholarly beliefs and sheds new light on landscape transformations during the 13th-14th centuries in Lithuania's historical capitals—Kernavė, Trakai, and Vilnius. The study, conducted between 2018-2019, employed advanced techniques such as LiDAR data analysis, geophysical surveys, minimal-destructive archaeological investigations, and pedological methods to reconstruct the paleorelief of these landscapes. In Kernavė, extensive landscape modifications were identified, including the creation of two hillforts separated by a defensive moat, while Trakai's brick castle was strategically built on a site that required minimal transformation. These insights highlight the Gediminid dynasty's ambitious approach to shaping power centers within Lithuania's nascent state.
Butrint
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Archaeological evidence from Butrint, Albania, reveals how hydraulic landscapes and water management strategies evolved between Venetian (14th–18th centuries) and Ottoman (19th–20th centuries) rule, reflecting shifts in political power and local economies. The study demonstrates that changes in water infrastructure—such as canals, irrigation systems, and settlement patterns—were not merely functional but deeply tied to broader hydraulic politics. These adaptations influenced regional landscapes, economic activities, and settlement dynamics, illustrating the complex interplay between environmental manipulation and governance in a border area. The research underscores the significance of water resources as both a tool for control and a catalyst for social transformation.
Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
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This research identifies key landscape attributes that significantly enhance human well-being, while addressing the complex balance between conservation and utilization in five Swiss pilot regions, including UNESCO World Heritage Site Lavaux. The study, conducted by the Universities of Zürich and Lausanne for Switzerland's Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU), involved interviews with 27 stakeholders across the regions to capture perceived landscape values. Findings reveal a critical gap in communication about the historical significance and ongoing maintenance of cultural landscapes, such as Lavaux, which are often reduced to mere backdrops for tourism. The report proposes actionable measures—such as engaging local communities, improving visitor education, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders—to better preserve these landscapes while meeting modern needs. These insights, rooted in biodiversity and landscape policy, offer a blueprint for similar challenges in other regions.
Western Ghats
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2019 —
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A comprehensive inventory of landslides triggered by excessive rainfall in August 2018 was mapped across the Western Ghats, revealing significant regional and geological patterns. The study identified 6970 landslides spanning 22.6 sq. km, predominantly in Kerala (5191), Karnataka (993), and Tamil Nadu (606), with debris slides and flows being the most common types. Notably, 83.2% of these events were linked to very high rainfall intensity, while 14.9% occurred on moderate slopes, particularly in Karnataka's Kodagu district. The research utilized multitemporal high-resolution satellite imagery from multiple sources, including Resourcesat-2, WorldView-2, and Sentinel-2, to analyze pre- and post-event conditions, providing critical insights into the relationship between rainfall extremes and landslide susceptibility.
Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture
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Research on Ibiza Island reveals large-scale boudinage structures in late Miocene platform deposits, providing evidence for extensional margin collapse during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. These structures, characterized by rectangular to barrel-shaped blocks and soft-sediment syncline folds, indicate multidirectional extension with increased stretching seaward. Fluid circulation, evidenced by calcite crystal wedges and high-temperature fluid inclusions (190–260 °C), suggests that hot fluids facilitated the destabilization of a still-soft carbonate platform. The slow deformation process is further supported by the progressive infill of paleosols and the presence of subaerial Messinian channels in boudinage-induced depressions, confirming emersion during the crisis. This study offers onland evidence for extensional collapse linked to sea-level drawdown.
Megalithic Temples of Malta
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A groundbreaking analysis of the Mnajdra megalithic temples, dating back to the 4th millennium BCE and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals critical insights into their structural stability. By integrating laser-scanner data with advanced finite element modeling and experimental microtremor measurements, researchers accurately determined the material properties essential for assessing the monument's performance. This method not only provides a robust framework for evaluating the stability of these ancient structures but also offers a blueprint for preserving similar heritage sites worldwide.
Garamba National Park
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The Northern White Rhinoceros, one of the most endangered mammals on Earth, faces imminent extinction due to rampant poaching driven by illegal trafficking of rhino horns and ivory. A 2017 documentary, <em>Last Animals</em>, reveals that this crisis is not isolated but part of a broader pattern where trafficking networks, often linked to organized crime and even terrorism financing, supply poachers with advanced weaponry and logistics, accelerating species collapse. Research by conservation biologist Sam Wasser from the University of Washington demonstrates that a significant portion of seized ivory traces back to specific regions like Tanzania and Congo, suggesting complicity at governmental levels. The film also highlights the desperate efforts of park rangers in Garamba National Park, where armed conflicts mirror wartime conditions. While the documentary excels in capturing the intimate plight of the Northern White Rhino, its exploration of broader trafficking dynamics is less precise, yet it remains a powerful call to action against illegal wildlife trade.
Western Tien-Shan
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A study of the Western Tien-Shan reveals that the region has experienced approximately 20° of clockwise rotation since around 5 million years ago, primarily due to oroclinal bending—the process where a straight fold-and-thrust belt bends into an arc. This deformation is linked to the formation of the curved Qiulitage Fold-and-Thrust Belt (FTB) in the southern Tian Shan foreland, suggesting significant tectonic activity and crustal shortening in this area during the late Cenozoic era. The research combines paleomagnetic data with geological analysis to demonstrate that these rotations are driven by the bending of the FTB, rather than other tectonic processes. Additionally, the Kalayuergun dextral strike-slip transfer fault plays a key role in accommodating horizontal displacement discrepancies along the western boundary of the Qiulitage FTB. The findings indicate that the southern Tian Shan foreland has undergone substantial deformation over the past 5 million years, with ongoing crustal shortening.
Paris, Banks of the Seine
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A study of Parisian visual culture from 1852 to 1932 reveals how Latin Americans were depicted through a 'Latinizing' lens, which both denigrated European-descended elites and whitened Black Latin Americans for assimilation. The research identifies mid-19th-century codes used in popular media to portray Latin Americans as inferior, contrasting them with colonial Africans and other Black populations. Case studies of Cuban circus performer Chocolat, Panamanian boxer Alfonso Teofilo Brown, and Uruguayan artist Pedro Figari’s paintings show shifts in visual representation between 1890 and 1933, highlighting the complex interplay between race, identity, and empire in Paris.
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement
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A collaborative effort between the Fondation Le Corbusier and A-BIME has resulted in a groundbreaking 3D model for the restoration of Le Corbusier's apartment-studio, leveraging Building Information Model (BIM) technology. This digital graphic document provides faster and easier access to critical data about the building's materials, technical arrangements, and on-site implementation, enhancing the understanding of its architectural elements. The study, funded by a Getty Foundation grant, utilized archival data and survey diagnostics to create a detailed model that can be imported into multiple software for structural and hydrothermal simulations. These simulations serve as guidelines for the Fondation Le Corbusier in predicting the impact of restoration choices, ensuring a scientifically informed approach to preserving this significant modernist work.
Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne
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Archaeological research near Carcassonne, France, has uncovered a rare and exceptional mausoleum dating back to the late 1st century BCE, coinciding with the city's elevation to Latin legal status. This turriform (tower-like) structure, part of a grand rural villa complex on Montredon hill, features an underground burial chamber—a design element uncommon in Gaul or western Europe at this early date. The mausoleum was erected within a private walled enclosure, interpreted as a 'park,' adjacent to the villa's residential area, which follows a classical Latin design centered around an atrium and peristyle. This discovery sheds light on elite burial practices during the transition from the Roman Republic to the Empire, offering insights into the cultural and architectural influences of this period in southern Gaul.
Proto-urban Site of Sarazm
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A groundbreaking geoarchaeological study of the Zeravchan Valley, Tadjikistan, reveals that human societies have significantly shaped its river landscape through sophisticated water management practices since the protohistoric era. The research demonstrates how interactions between riparian communities and a semi-arid, tectonically active environment led to the creation of complex irrigation systems over millennia. By integrating geomorphological analysis, Optically Stimulated Thermoluminescence (OSL) dating, and micromorphological studies of sedimentary backfill from a 3rd millennium BCE canal, the study highlights the rapid transformation of landscapes through socio-environmental dynamics. This finding underscores the enduring impact of human ingenuity in managing water resources in challenging conditions.
Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments
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Recent research has shed new light on the ancient port system of the Gulf of Fos, a crucial yet understudied component of the Roman colony of Arles. Through a collective research program, scholars synthesized existing documentation and conducted field investigations near Pointe de Saint-Gervais in Fos-sur-Mer, alongside artifact studies and navigation analyses. This work has enabled a reinterpretation of historical data and opened avenues for further exploration, particularly regarding the role of the Canal de Marius in maritime trade during the early Roman Empire.
Baalbek
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The region of Baalbek-Hermel in Lebanon has undergone significant transformation, shifting from a marginalized and economically struggling area to one with potential for sustainable development through heritage tourism. This study identifies the unique economic, social, and cultural characteristics of the region, highlighting its rich traditional crafts and agricultural heritage. By proposing a model for a heritage tourism route—specifically a 'Route des Savoir-Faire' (Route of Crafts)—the research aims to leverage local expertise while addressing current challenges. The approach combines field studies with territorial development strategies, offering a blueprint for balancing heritage preservation, economic growth, and community engagement in a UNESCO World Heritage context.
Saltaire
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Saltaire, the model industrial village founded by Titus Salt in Yorkshire, stands as a pioneering example of social experimentation addressing urban challenges during rapid 19th-century industrialization. This study reveals that Saltaire's reforms, initiated in 1853, were not isolated but part of broader social reform movements in Bradford between 1850 and 1880. By analyzing the interplay of economic pressures, political influences, and religious factors, the research demonstrates how Saltaire actively contributed to improving workers' conditions in the woolen textile industry. The study highlights the village's innovative role in advancing social welfare while contextualizing its achievements within the larger reformist landscape of Bradford.
Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche
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A heightened awareness of reality emerges through the interplay of light and shadow, as demonstrated by the artistic accomplishments in Chauvet Cave. This study reveals that human perception evolves not through intellectualization but through visual and pictorial advancements, particularly in how we engage with light and shadows within imagery itself. The installation of images like lions and bears on cave walls serves as a contrast between being guided by the world and by other forms of association, illustrating how image-making teaches us what is real. This approach challenges traditional notions of reality, emphasizing the role of artistic representation in shaping human understanding.
Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island
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Researchers have identified <em>Lecanorchis moritae</em>, a new mycoheterotrophic orchid species from Amami-Oshima Island, Japan. This discovery was made through detailed morphological and molecular analysis, distinguishing it from the closely related <em>Lecanorchis suginoana</em> by key traits such as its transversely elliptic midlobe, triangular leaf margins with reddish apices, and a lip adorned with white and purple hairs. The study also provides an illustration and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) sequence for the species, offering both visual and genetic documentation. This finding contributes to the understanding of orchid diversity in Japan's Ryukyu Islands and highlights the importance of molecular data in species identification.
Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula
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A rare case of left atrial appendage rupture due to blunt chest trauma was documented in an adult male Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) found dead near a roadside. The necropsy, conducted as part of the RECAL project studying otters in Italy's Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, revealed severe hemothorax, pulmonary contusions, and hemopericardium with no other cardiac abnormalities. This is the first veterinary report of such a traumatic injury, which is also life-threatening in humans. The finding underscores the need for veterinary emergency care to consider blunt thoracic injuries as potential causes of cardiac rupture.
Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow
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2019 —
WHEB8F8FBBD15
Lenin’s Mausoleum, situated near the Kremlin and Red Square, serves as a symbol of post-Soviet Russia's struggle with its communist past. The study reveals that the preservation of Lenin’s embalmed body represents an attempt to halt or slow time, while also obscuring the violent legacy of his regime. This research identifies three interconnected patterns of post-Soviet memory: warped mourning for communism’s victims, the mausoleum as a sacred and haunted site, and the political theology underpinning Soviet and post-Soviet states. Unlike Stalin’s remains, which were buried in 1961, Lenin’s continued display complicates the re-evaluation of the October Revolution, Leninism, and the Soviet Union's creation, highlighting the difficulty of confronting this history.
Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci
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2019 —
WHE95F3F0903C
A novel geometric approach reveals the three-dimensional spatial principles underlying Leonardo da Vinci’s <em>The Last Supper</em>, offering a reverse perspective method to reconstruct the room’s 3D space from its 2D depiction. This study demonstrates how Leonardo’s masterpiece encodes complex architectural and mathematical relationships, providing insights into his creative process. By inverting traditional geometric perspective techniques, researchers reconstructed the room’s structure, bridging art and science with precision. The findings highlight the interplay between artistic intuition and rigorous mathematical principles in Renaissance art.
Cologne Cathedral
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2019 —
WHE9B7E446C7F
A comparative study of liturgical arrangements in European cathedrals reveals that the southern cathedral of Geneva, alongside others such as Aosta and Cologne, exhibited early adoption of architectural elements like the solea and ambo between the 5th and 9th centuries. These features, initially emerging in Grado and Boppard, spread across Western Europe, often complementing or competing with open arrangements linking cathedrals to baptisteries. By the Carolingian period, Geneva's eastern church, expanded westward at the expense of its baptistery, mirrored liturgical reforms seen in Cologne, suggesting a shift toward centralized cathedral use influenced by Roman models like the <em>Ordo Romanus IV</em>. This research highlights the dynamic interplay between architectural evolution and liturgical practice during this transitional era.
Simien National Park
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2019 —
WHED8904D3885
Global conservation efforts, particularly within UNESCO World Heritage Sites, often perpetuate social injustice by enforcing strict environmental protections that disproportionately affect local communities. A case study of Simien National Park in Ethiopia reveals how resettlement policies, driven by international conservation recommendations and authoritarian state influence, have displaced over 2500 inhabitants while continuing to impose fines or imprisonment on those remaining within the park for traditional land use practices. This research highlights the neo-Malthusian perspective promoted by global conservation institutions, which views African environments as both pristine and degraded—a paradox that undermines sustainable coexistence. Interviews with guards, farmers, and former residents expose the moral and political discrimination embedded in such policies, underscoring a broader trend where external conservation ethics marginalize local communities without addressing their economic or social needs.
