Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
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2019 —
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Large-scale excavations at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, North America's first Native city, have uncovered significant insights into the East St. Louis Precinct, revealing artifacts that hint at the presence of now-extinct species like the passenger pigeon and ivory-billed woodpecker. This discovery sheds light on the ecological richness and biodiversity of the region during Cahokia's peak occupancy (circa 1050–1350 CE). The research employed systematic archaeological methods, including stratified excavations and artifact analysis, to reconstruct the precinct's layout and function within the broader urban landscape. Findings challenge traditional narratives about Cahokia's environment and underscore its role as a complex, interconnected city.
Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands
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2019 —
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A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis reveals that the Solovetsky Archipelago, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, possesses significant wind energy potential capable of offsetting part of its diesel-based energy demand. The study evaluates multiple wind farm locations to optimize energy capture, offering a sustainable alternative that could reduce harmful emissions—a critical priority for Arctic regions. This approach combines numerical modeling with strategic site selection to address both economic and environmental challenges in remote island territories.
Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville
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2019 —
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Thomas Jefferson's architectural legacy, particularly his vision for Monticello and the University of Virginia, is highlighted through a comprehensive exhibition titled 'From the Grounds Up.' This showcase, curated by Richard Guy Wilson to mark the bicentennial of the university's founding, features a diverse collection of Jefferson's drawings, books, letters, paintings, prints, models, tools, and architectural fragments. The exhibition underscores Jefferson's profound passion for architectural design and his innovative approach to building, which is exemplified by his unplastered rooms at Monticello—intentionally left unfinished as a testament to his ongoing experimentation and dedication to craftsmanship.
Niokolo-Koba National Park
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2019 —
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Niokolo-Koba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Senegal, is highlighted in the book 'Wilderness: Earth's Amazing Habitats' for its unique biodiversity and geographical significance. The publication, reviewed by The American Biology Teacher, emphasizes the park's role as one of several deep-dive explorations into lesser-known yet ecologically rich habitats. Through vivid imagery and concise descriptions, it introduces readers to specific environments, including Niokolo-Koba’s distinct flora and fauna. A creature index further enriches the experience by providing brief profiles of species found in these locations, encouraging deeper engagement with the subject matter.
Viking-Age Ring Fortresses
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Recent research on the Viking-Age ring fortress Nonnebakken, located beneath Odense, Denmark, reveals its exceptional state of preservation, challenging long-held assumptions about its condition. Through excavations and non-destructive analysis, scientists have uncovered new insights into the fortress's significance within local, regional, and national landscapes. This study highlights strategies to enhance public awareness and ownership of Nonnebakken, aiming to revitalize its presence in local consciousness. By combining historical data with modern investigative techniques, the research offers a fresh perspective on this hidden gem of Viking heritage.
Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow
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2019 —
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The documentary 'Revolution' explores the complex relationship between avant-garde art and the Russian Revolution of 1917, revealing how revolutionary movements were both a performance and a political tool. It highlights the tension between the avant-garde's rejection of traditional culture—including Russian Orthodox norms—and its simultaneous alignment with Westernized urban aspirations. The film uses interviews, archival footage, and expert insights to dissect this duality, though it is criticized for oversimplifying historical contexts and geographical biases, particularly by neglecting regions like Belarus and Ukraine where many avant-garde artists originated. It also raises questions about the moral dilemmas of revolutionary art, as many artists who promoted the movement became victims of the very system they helped establish.
Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison
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2019 —
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Public monuments, such as statues of historical figures like Lord Nelson and Cecil Rhodes, often serve as contested symbols of colonial power. This study argues that their continued presence in public spaces—despite demands for removal or remediation—represents a form of 'historical erasure,' silencing the original ideological intent behind these objects and their ongoing contestation. The research examines how such monuments were erected during periods of imperial dominance to reinforce pro-colonial narratives, yet their preservation today risks uncritically legitimizing those legacies. By analyzing cases in Barbados (Bridgetown) and England (Oxford), the study challenges the notion that age alone grants historical significance, instead advocating for a renegotiation of which pasts are prioritized in public memory. The approach combines critical analysis of monument placement, ideological motivations, and contemporary debates on heritage preservation.
Bryggen
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2019 —
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A rights-based approach to heritage management can significantly enhance the preservation and sustainability of rural World Heritage Sites by engaging local communities as active participants. This study, led by experts from Norway, Estonia, India, Ireland, and beyond, demonstrates how such approaches integrate community knowledge with professional conservation practices, fostering dignity, ownership, and long-term stewardship. The research combines case studies—including Bryggen in Bergen, Norway—and collaborative projects across Africa, Europe, and Asia to illustrate practical applications of these principles. It highlights the importance of balancing technical expertise with grassroots involvement, ensuring heritage protection aligns with social values and local needs.
Göbekli Tepe
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2019 —
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Ritualized feasting, including the consumption of beer-like beverages, played a crucial role in fostering social cohesion and cooperation among early Neolithic communities at Göbekli Tepe. This 10th to 9th millennium BC site in southeastern Anatolia features monumental circular buildings with richly decorated limestone pillars, constructed by small-scale groups. Archaeological evidence, such as animal motif imagery distributed across a 200 km radius, large quantities of bones, and cooking equipment, suggests that these rituals brought together people from distant regions to work collaboratively on the site's construction. The study proposes that altered states of consciousness during rituals further enhanced intragroup cohesion, providing insights into the mechanisms that enabled complex social organization in early human societies.
Historic Centre of Kraków
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2019 —
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A significant urban planning insight emerges from the study of Kraków's Vistula River corridor, highlighting its potential to shape sustainable and functional urban spaces. The research reveals that the river and its adjacent areas, rich in natural and cultural values, can serve as a linear public space that enhances the city's spatial structure. Key findings include the unique historical significance of the Vistula Valley, which encompasses medieval urban layouts like the Old Town, Kazimierz, and Podgórze, alongside distinct geothermal water deposits in the eastern zone. The study also underscores the corridor's role as a compositional element, contributing to the aesthetic and functional beauty of Kraków. By analyzing these areas within the city's boundaries, the research provides principles for leveraging natural and cultural assets to improve urban quality, though some complex issues are noted as requiring further exploration.
Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
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2019 —
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Flood disasters pose significant threats to river-based cultural landscapes, such as the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, which are not only historically and socially significant but also economically valuable for tourism. A study highlights that these sites, enriched with tangible and intangible heritage qualities, face severe risks from climate change-induced floods, potentially leading to destruction of both natural and cultural elements. To mitigate these challenges, the research emphasizes the need for integrated flood risk control measures and man-made enclosures during site redesign. The study used observational methods to gather data from tour guides and frequent users, offering practical strategies to protect such heritage sites while ensuring their sustainability.
Dholavira: a Harappan City
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Ancient Indian civilizations, particularly those along the Indus-Saraswati and Gangetic river systems, demonstrated sophisticated water management as a central organizing principle of settlement, subsistence, and social structure. Archaeological evidence from sites like Dholavira, Mohenjo-daro, and Lothal reveals advanced techniques for water harvesting, storage, and distribution, reflecting sustained ecological adaptation to hydrological uncertainty. The study highlights how these practices evolved in response to climatic shifts, such as the weakening of the monsoon and desiccation of the Saraswati system, which contributed to the transformation or decline of riverine settlements. This research underscores the continued relevance of indigenous water-management knowledge for modern environmental planning in water-stressed regions.
Rock Art of Alta
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2019 —
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A groundbreaking reinterpretation of Mesolithic rock art in northern Europe, particularly at sites like Alta, Vingen, and Nämforsen, reveals a sophisticated visual culture rooted in shamanic or altered states of consciousness. Ingrid Fuglestvedt's work synthesizes extensive archaeological data with diverse theoretical frameworks—ranging from cognitive archaeology to ethnographic analogies—to propose that these ancient images were not merely symbolic but likely represented ritualistic practices tied to spiritual experiences. Unlike traditional summaries, this research avoids mere description, instead offering a nuanced, highly detailed analysis that challenges conventional interpretations of the region's rock art.
Stone Town of Zanzibar
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2019 —
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A significant portion of respondents (33%) demonstrated high awareness of CCTV camera security projects in Zanzibar, highlighting their potential to enhance tourism sustainability. The study identified six prevalent crimes—stealing, robbery, vehicle disorders, theft by servants, breaking, and assault—that CCTV systems effectively mitigate. Key impacts included creating a secure business environment, preventing crime, reducing private security costs, and extending business operating hours. The research recommends adopting public-private partnerships to expand CCTV adoption across Zanzibar, emphasizing its role in fostering a safer tourism industry. This study employed a descriptive case method with cross-sectional design, leveraging observation, interviews, and questionnaires to analyze data from 120 respondents.
Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands
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2019 —
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A significant phytoplankton bloom, known as the Marquesas Island Mass Effect, occurs at the boundary between equatorial mesotrophic and subtropical oligotrophic waters in the central South Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon is characterized by high chlorophyll-a concentrations, a proxy for phytoplankton biomass, despite iron depletion in the surrounding waters. Through modeling simulations with varying iron sources, researchers found that iron input from island sediments is crucial in replicating observed patterns of chlorophyll distribution, though the simulated effect was weaker than real-world observations. The study also highlights the importance of remote processes, such as horizontal advection and vertical mixing, in modulating seasonal phytoplankton dynamics around the Marquesas archipelago by transporting nutrient-rich waters from the equator.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire
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2019 —
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Roman bridges along the lower Danube, including lesser-known structures beyond Trajan's bridge at Drobeta Turnu Severin, reveal advanced engineering techniques used during the Roman Empire's expansion into Dacia. These bridges underscore the strategic importance of conquering and administering the region, with surviving evidence demonstrating sophisticated construction methods that reflect the era's progress in public works infrastructure.
Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura
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2019 —
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A groundbreaking approach to digital archaeology reveals how post-human philosophies and expanded virtuality concepts can reshape our understanding of Roman religion and heritage. By analyzing the material absence and virtual presence of an absent temple in Rome, this study demonstrates that digital technologies can create non-human experiences, offering new perspectives on human-object-divine relations in Roman cults. This work-in-progress project challenges traditional functionalistic methods, suggesting that digital archaeology can serve as a tool to re-examine and reinvent notions of the human, the past, and the digital within a post-humanist framework.
Redwood National and State Parks
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2019 —
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Long-term population dynamics of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus rooseveltii) in Redwood National and State Parks reveal critical insights into irruption and extinction patterns, offering a nuanced comparison with broader North American elk populations. The study spans 20 years, providing rare, sustained data on this subspecies while integrating field observations and analytical methods—though some methodological descriptions lack application. Highlights include detailed analyses of population fluctuations and conservation challenges, valuable for both academic and general audiences. Despite minor inconsistencies in method usage, the work stands as a significant contribution to elk ecology and management.
Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape
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2019 —
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Ruler portraits of Attalid kings at Pergamon's Gymnasion played a significant role in the city's multi-layered cultural landscape, serving as key elements in royal representation and cult practices. These statues exhibited visual integration and continuity, remaining prominent from their inception through late antiquity. While archaeological and epigraphic evidence exists, this study is the first to systematically analyze these artifacts, determining their functions and relationship to the ruler cult practiced in the gymnasial space. The research highlights how these portraits were preserved or adapted over centuries, offering new insights into Pergamon's cultural heritage.
Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy
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2019 —
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Heritage designation of the Balinese subak system, recognized for its cultural and natural significance in 2012, reveals complex outcomes for rural landscapes. While such listings aim to preserve diverse traditions, the case of Bali's subaks—irrigated rice terraces and temples—highlights challenges in defining heritage purposes and conservation goals. The study examines whether designating everyday farming areas as 'heritage' achieves meaningful preservation or merely symbolizes recognition without tangible benefits.
Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania
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2019 —
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Seven villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, Romania, represent the most significant rural heritage of the country. Despite their cultural importance, only these seven were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Prejmier-Tartlau, Biertan, Valea Viilor, Calnic, Saschiz-Keisd, Darju, and Viscri. This study highlights the pivotal role of public participation in preservation and development projects within these villages, emphasizing its impact on sustainable heritage management. It also examines broader challenges, such as the effects of tourism on local communities, offering insights into balancing conservation with socio-economic development.
Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay
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2019 —
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Medieval worshipers experienced the presence of the divine not only through direct encounters with anthropomorphic representations but also through distant, multisensory phenomena such as silhouettes on the horizon and the echo of bells. This study demonstrates that these indirect experiences could evoke a sense of the holy, comparable to images or sculptures, by analyzing medieval beliefs, emotions, myths, memory, and reactions. Using Mont-Saint-Michel as a case study, the research reveals how this tidal island was perceived as a sacred, paradisiacal mountain, offering protection from the sea's vast wilderness and serving as Saint Michael's haven. The intensification of the saint's presence upon reaching the island was attributed not only to his relics but also to the expansive horizon of sea and sky visible from the mountain.
Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls
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2019 —
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Research reveals that Jerusalem subtly influenced the visual Christianization of Rome between the 4th and mid-5th centuries, despite leaving no clear textual trace. Through meticulous analysis of mosaics, sarcophagi, and wall paintings, Galit Noga-Banai demonstrates how Rome visually engaged with Jerusalem's significance, particularly in asserting its claim as the head of the Church. Key findings include the reinterpretation of eschatological scenes to reflect Roman supremacy and the integration of Jerusalem's imagery into Roman art, such as in the mosaics of S. Constanza and S. Pudenziana. The study argues that visual rhetoric can uncover silent historical narratives, offering a novel perspective on late antique Rome's relationship with Jerusalem.
City of Safranbolu
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Safranbolu's cinematic development, particularly the emergence of Özer Cinema, significantly shaped the city's cultural identity and economic structure. This study reveals how cinematography, introduced in 1948-1949 with electricity, evolved from silent screenings to more innovative forms, contributing to both social sharing and local economy. By analyzing indoor and outdoor cinemas through oral history and private archives, the research highlights cinema's role in Safranbolu's cultural evolution, offering valuable insights into its historical trajectory.
Komodo National Park
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2019 —
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A critical examination of the 'Sail Komodo' yacht rally (2013) reveals contradictory assumptions about tourism's role in development within Nusa Tenggara Timur province, Indonesia. Despite expectations that such mega-events would boost local economies and reduce poverty, the analysis highlights misguided relationships between tourism and prosperity. The study employs a case-study approach to dissect these contradictions, offering insights into broader challenges faced by developing regions relying on tourism as an economic driver.
Island of Saint-Louis
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Saint-Louis, Senegal's third-largest town and former capital, offers a unique urban landscape shaped by its historical significance and geographical features. Located just south of the border with Mauritania, the city comprises an island and part of the Langue de Barberie peninsula, connected by the 500-meter-long Pont Faidherbe bridge. This structure not only serves as a vital link but also reflects the city's strategic importance during its peak as Senegal's capital in the 19th century. While Dakar later surpassed it in prominence, Saint-Louis retains its historical and cultural value, making it a notable subject of study for urban development and heritage preservation.
Strasbourg, Grande-Île and Neustadt
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2019 —
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The classification of Strasbourg's Neustadt as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2017 marks a significant historical shift, symbolizing the city's reappropriation of its past. Once criticized for its German architectural influence during the Annexation period (1871-1918), the Neustadt has been reclaimed and celebrated, reflecting a broader trend of historical reconciliation. This study examines the transformation of Saint-Maurice, an old German garrison church, into a Catholic parish in Strasbourg, illustrating the complex layers of memory and identity embedded within the site. By analyzing architectural evolution and cultural shifts, the research underscores how heritage sites serve as living markers of historical narratives, bridging past conflicts with contemporary identities.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
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2019 —
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A novel approach to understanding the urban evolution of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, reveals that architectural analysis of multi-layered buildings offers critical insights into the city's development, complementing traditional documentary and archaeological studies. Unlike previous interventions focused on subsurface remains, this study emphasizes the technical and constructive aspects of architecture, aiming to enrich existing documentation with a deeper understanding of urban stratification. By integrating architectural archeology with historical records, researchers provide a more comprehensive narrative of the city's growth, bridging gaps left by conventional methods.
San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano
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2019 —
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San Marino, a unique microstate nestled within Italy, presents a distinctive blend of urban and natural heritage. The city, which shares its name with the country, is characterized by its triple-walled structure perched on the western slopes of Mount Titano. This geographical setting not only provides strategic significance but also contributes to its agricultural landscape, which contrasts with the dense urban fabric. The site's connectivity via roads and railways extends its reach to other parts of Italy and the Adriatic coast, underscoring its role as a vital link in regional transportation networks. This publication offers an insightful overview of San Marino's geographical, historical, and socio-economic dimensions, highlighting its dual identity as both a capital city and an independent nation.
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
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2019 —
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A 33-foot-tall plaster cast of the Sanchi stupa's gateway, once displayed at the South Kensington Museum, highlights a paradox in conservation: while it preserved the original sculpture, the cast itself was lost due to shifting attitudes toward reproductions. The study traces how Henry Hardy Cole's casts, commissioned after his father's 1867 convention, promoted Indian art globally and deterred colonial competition for artifacts. Contrasting Cole's views with those of Alexander Cunningham and the Begum of Bhopal, it reveals differing standards applied to European and Indian reproductions—European casts remained, while Indian ones were discarded in the 1950s. This case underscores how museum practices reflect historical power dynamics and the fragility of conservation efforts.
Colonial City of Santo Domingo
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Santo Domingo, the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic, stands as the oldest European settlement in the Western Hemisphere. Its historical significance is underscored by its declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, recognizing the enduring cultural and architectural legacy of its Colonial City. Located at the confluence of the Ozama River and the Caribbean Sea, Santo Domingo serves as the country's industrial, commercial, administrative, and financial hub. This designation highlights its pivotal role in shaping the region's history and its continued importance as a symbol of colonial heritage.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)
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2019 —
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Post-WWII Hiroshima's resilience narratives, shaped by architects, historians, and policymakers, reveal diverse interpretations of recovery—both physical and social—that reflect broader societal constructions of historical identity. The study critically examines how Tange Kenzō’s Peace Memorial Park and Museum project, along with other actors' visions, crafted resilience narratives targeting global and local audiences through rebuilding efforts and detailed reports. By analyzing these narratives, the research demonstrates that disaster, rebuilding, and their urban representations are integral to shaping collective memory and identity.
Dorset and East Devon Coast
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2019 —
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A detailed cranial anatomy of Scelidosaurus harrisonii, an early armored ornithischian dinosaur from the Late Sinemurian period, reveals unique features not previously documented. The study highlights the presence of exostoses on skull bones, which anchored keratinous scales, and describes a heterodont dentition with distinct tooth morphology and arrangement. Additionally, it identifies three osteoderms associated with the orbit and suggests the existence of a predentary element based on symphyseal structure. The research also notes unusual internal cranial features, such as epivomer bones and an epipterygoid attached to the pterygoid, along with evidence of cranial pneumatism in immature specimens. This comprehensive analysis, based on original material from 1858 and supplementary discoveries, provides new insights into the skull anatomy and evolutionary characteristics of this significant dinosaur.
Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church
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2019 —
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Westminster Abbey serves as a historic repository for the memorials and gravesites of prominent British scientists who significantly contributed to the development of atomic theory. The abbey houses tributes to figures like Isaac Newton, J.J. Thomson, Ernest Rutherford, and Stephen Hawking, among others, whose work laid the foundation for modern scientific understanding. A guided tour through the abbey reveals these memorials, starting from St. Andrew's Chapel with honors to Humphry Davy, Lord Rayleigh, Thomas Young, and Robert Hooke, progressing to 'Science Corner' in the nave where Newton's grave and monuments to Michael Faraday and James Clerk Maxwell are prominently displayed. The journey continues into the North Choir Aisle, showcasing gravesites of John Herschel, Charles Darwin, and memorials to James Prescott Joule, Sir William Ramsay, and James Watt. This exploration not only commemorates their scientific achievements but also traces the evolution of atomic theory across different eras and disciplines.
Ujung Kulon National Park
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Researchers identified ghost crabs (Ocypode sp.) as a promising substrate for amylolytic mold growth, with nearly half of the 30 isolates from Ujung Kulon National Park exhibiting potential to produce amylase enzymes. Among these, isolate UNJCC F111 showed the highest amylolytic activity (2.73 mm) and was tentatively classified within the Penicillium group. A significant portion (71.4%) of the 14 amylolytic strains belonged to Aspergillus, highlighting their potential as industrial biofactories for enzyme production. The study employed purposive random sampling, direct/washing isolation methods, and agar diffusion screening, followed by microscopic/macroscopic characterization. Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of findings (p < 0.05).
Anticosti
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2019 —
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A global interval of elevated carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) during the Upper Ordovician, linked to glaciation, is not solely a record of global ocean chemistry but is influenced by sea-level changes and early marine diagenesis. Research on carbonate strata from Anticosti Island, Canada, and the Great Basin, USA, reveals that variations in δ44Ca and Sr/Ca ratios reflect primary aragonite mineralogy and diagenetic processes, which modulate δ13C records. Deep-ramp settings preserve elevated δ13C due to increased aragonitic preservation during sea-level lowstands, while mid- and inner ramp settings show muted shifts due to extensive early marine diagenesis under seawater-buffered conditions. This challenges the assumption that shallow-water carbonate proxies always reflect global ocean changes.
Western Caucasus
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2019 —
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Archeoseismological studies at the ancient city of Gorgippia, Western Caucasus, reveal evidence of strong historical earthquakes (3rd–1st centuries BC and 1st–3rd centuries AD), including wall deformations, rotations, and well shaft squeezings. These findings suggest a regional seismic potential for crustal earthquakes with magnitudes ≥7.0, occurring every few hundred years, capable of intense shaking (IX or higher). The research combines historical records with structural analysis to assess long-term seismic hazards in the North Black Sea and South Azov seismogenic zones.
Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains
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Scott MacEachern's book, 'Searching for Boko Haram: A History of Violence in Central Africa,' provides a deep historical and contextual understanding of the Lake Chad Basin, particularly focusing on the Mandara Mountains. The work avoids sensationalism by tracing the region's history back over 16,000 years, examining how local populations interpret violence and authority rather than delving deeply into Boko Haram itself. MacEachern leverages extensive archaeological fieldwork and linguistic analysis to illustrate the symbiotic yet conflict-ridden relationships between ethnic and religious communities, highlighting the region's role as a frontier characterized by banditry and smuggling. The book also explores how climatological changes have influenced human settlement and inter-group dynamics, offering valuable insights into the region's development and its potential future under climate change.
Viking-Age Ring Fortresses
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Machine learning analysis of airborne laser scanning data has identified two promising Viking Age ring fortress sites in Denmark, along with two glacial landscape features initially mistaken for meteor craters. The study employed Hough circle transformations and template matching to detect over 200,000 circular features, which were then narrowed down using geometric properties and machine learning classification. Ground-truthing confirmed Borgø and Trælbanke as viable cultural heritage sites, warranting further archaeological investigation. This approach demonstrates significant potential for global applications in detecting cultural heritage, geomorphological features, and meteor impact craters where digital terrain models are available.
Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek
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Under the worst-case climate scenario (RCP 8.5), Glacier Bay's annual freshwater runoff is projected to increase by 13% from historical levels, shifting peak flows from July to late summer and early fall while transitioning from snowmelt- and ice-melt dominance to rain runoff. This study used SnowModel, a high-resolution distributed snow evolution model, to analyze seasonal runoff patterns (1979–2015) and project future changes (2070–2099). Historical mean annual runoff was 24.5 km³/year, with summer peaks driven by snowmelt supplemented by ice melt. Future scenarios revealed a flatter hydrograph, weaker summer flows, and higher winter flows, supported by a 24-year oceanographic CTD dataset. Spatial variability in glacier coverage, elevation, and landscape characteristics influenced these changes.
Kathmandu Valley
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Groundwater nitrogen contamination in the Kathmandu Valley exhibits significant seasonal and sediment-type variability. Research reveals that ammonium (NH4-N) concentrations decrease during the wet season in gravel-dominated areas, while nitrate (NO3-N) levels rise in both clay and gravel regions, with greater fluctuation observed in gravel-bearing zones over two years of monitoring. Iron (Fe2+) concentrations also drop during the wet season across sediment types. The study analyzed spatially distributed shallow dug well samples from 2016's dry and wet seasons, alongside long-term monitoring of two shallow dug wells and one deep tube well, providing critical insights into subsurface nitrogen dynamics affecting groundwater quality in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Sundarbans
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A year-long study in Kailash Khal, Sundarbans, revealed that phytoplankton diversity and abundance are significantly influenced by seasonal variations in physicochemical parameters. The research identified 36 genera of phytoplankton, with Bacillariophyceae being the most abundant, particularly during the pre-monsoon season (4.32 × 10³ cells l⁻¹). Statistical analysis showed significant seasonal differences in temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and other water quality parameters (p < 0.05), which correlated with phytoplankton distribution patterns. Margalef richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity indices indicated a moderately rich phytoplankton community, underscoring the wetland's ecological resilience.
Henderson Island
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A study on Henderson Island revealed that Pacific rats exhibit significant seasonal variation in survival, with the highest monthly survival probability (0.950) observed in late August and the lowest (0.352) in late July. This temporal pattern suggests resource limitations that could influence the success of eradication efforts. The research used a spatially-explicit Cormack-Jolly-Seber model to estimate movement distances, home range sizes, and survival rates over five months. Rats displayed varied movement behaviors, with some exhibiting 'territorial' (median radius: 134 m) and others 'roaming' (median radius: 778 m) patterns. The proportion of roaming rats fluctuated seasonally, peaking at 23% in October. These findings imply that timing eradication efforts to align with periods of lower survival probability could enhance success.
Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island
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Research on Iriomote Island, Japan, reveals that the land hermit crab <em>Coenobita brevimanus</em> exhibits distinct seaward migration and larval release patterns tied to lunar cycles. Peak activity occurs around new moons (particularly 0.82 days post-new moon) and spring tides (1.34 days after full moon), with migrations primarily happening between June and November, especially during warmer months (July–September). Crabs appear on beaches between 19:00 and 23:10, entering seawater approximately two hours after nighttime high tide. Nearly half of the crabs that emerge release larvae or display swimming behavior. This study highlights the species' semi-lunar rhythms and seasonal adaptation, aligning with broader observations of coenobitid crabs in the Ryukyu Islands.
Heart of Neolithic Orkney
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Sheep introduced to the Orkney archipelago around 3500 cal BC were found to consume moderate amounts of seaweed from their arrival, a practice that facilitated the spread of farming lifestyles across remote European regions. This discovery, derived from stable isotope analysis of faunal remains at Skara Brae, clarifies the chronology and significance of seaweed consumption in Neolithic husbandry adaptations. The study sheds light on how socio-economic and biological adjustments to new environments played a pivotal role in the Neolithisation of Europe.
Pasargadae
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A significant expansion of geophysical surveys at Pasargadae, Iran, has revealed new insights into the ancient Achaemenid Empire's urban planning and territorial control. The 2016 archaeological project, a collaboration between Iranian and French researchers, extended previous studies with more comprehensive prospections, uncovering previously unknown structures and patterns of land use. This approach, building on earlier work, sheds light on the site's strategic importance during the reign of Cyrus the Great (c. 550–530 BCE). The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of Pasargadae's role as a political and administrative center, enhancing its significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands
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Research on the Golgotha Mount on Anzer Island, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Solovetsky Islands, reveals that very slow horizontal ground movement—often neglected in construction—can cause significant structural damage over time. By analyzing tensile fractures in a 19th-century brick building (constructed without steel ties), scientists determined the rate of sand ground dislocation near an ultimately steep slope. The absence of proper reinforcement transformed the building into an unintended tool for measuring this movement, highlighting how long-term neglect of such deformations can lead to structural failures, even in stable-appearing environments.
Settlement and Artificial Mummification of the Chinchorro Culture in the Arica and Parinacota Region
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Research on the Chinchorro Culture in northern Chile reveals that shellfish were not collected year-round, challenging assumptions about sedentary lifestyles. Oxygen isotope analysis of shells from Camarones West Shell Midden and Quiani, combined with radiocarbon dating spanning 5590 to 3830 B.P., indicates seasonal resource use during the Classic and Transitional Chinchorro epochs. Shell demographics further support this finding, showing consistency in shellfish types harvested from Chinchorro times to the present. This study marks the first application of oxygen isotope analysis with shell middens in the Camarones River Delta, offering new insights into the seasonality of resources and its implications for sedentism.
Quebrada de Humahuaca
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2019 —
WHE7F1345662E
Excessive sediment supply from the slopes of the Rio Huasamayo basin is identified as the primary cause of riverbed aggradation, posing significant hydrogeological hazards to the village of Tilcara in Argentina's Quebrada de Humahuaca—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike traditional models reliant on hydrometeorological data, this study applied the Gavrilovic method (EPM) alongside CORINE Project data to estimate sediment volume and pinpoint critical sub-basins contributing to erosion. These findings highlight vulnerable areas where targeted interventions could mitigate aggradation risks, offering a novel approach for managing sediment-related hazards in data-scarce regions.
Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands
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2019 —
WHE73F62C9005
Researchers have identified distinct sedimentary fabric patterns in tsunami deposits from the Marquesas Islands, revealing critical insights into past tsunami dynamics. Using X-ray tomography, they analyzed two deposits on Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa islands, distinguishing four fabric types—moderate to high-angle, bimodal low-angle, multi-oriented, and dispersed—which correlate with flow characteristics, sediment concentration, and grain-size distribution. Notably, unimodal high-angle fabrics align with finely-skewed grain sizes, providing a new method to reconstruct tsunami events from sediment records. This approach offers a powerful tool for studying other sedimentary deposits, advancing our understanding of coastal hazards.
