Alto Douro Wine Region
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2018 —
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A study highlights the potential of the Alto Douro Wine Region (ADWR) to foster environmental education and sustainable development through interdisciplinary school projects. The research, currently in its initial phase, aims to leverage the region's unique mesological and climatic conditions to promote awareness about heritage preservation among younger generations. Divided into three stages, the study employs a project-based methodology across 18 schools within the ADWR, focusing on developing new skills, scientific literacy, and a culture of environmental education. This approach seeks to contribute to broader goals of sustainable development and community engagement.
Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing
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2018 —
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Virtual tourism for the Temple of Heaven, leveraging the Open Scene Graph platform, demonstrates significant potential for rapid development due to its authenticity, immersion, interactivity, and operability. This study highlights how such systems can enhance cultural heritage engagement while ensuring technical and safety guarantees. The research explores the functional design principles of virtual tourism, offering insights into its future prospects as a modern business model.
Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow
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2018 —
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Research at the Moscow Kremlin reveals that buried soil properties can effectively reconstruct the stages of early human habitation, from the Early Iron Age to the 12th century. The study found that alternating agricultural land use and abandonment led to significant transformations in natural ecosystems, including soil erosion and truncation of upper soil horizons. Ancient agricultural practices, such as the application of ash, dolomite, crushed bones, manure, and household waste, further altered the soil landscape. These insights were derived from a combined archaeological and pedogenetic study, which analyzed sediments deposited due to slope erosion and mineral materials transported by ancient people. The research highlights the complex interplay between human activities and environmental changes over centuries.
Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley
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2018 —
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A novel market appeal—robusticity matrix effectively evaluates heritage tourism potential by assessing the attractiveness of cultural assets and their ability to withstand tourist impact. Applied to Malaysia's UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Archaeological Heritage of Lenggong Valley, this approach identifies sites with varying levels of market appeal and robusticity, guiding conservation strategies and management decisions. The findings underscore the matrix's utility in balancing tourism development with heritage preservation, ensuring sustainable protection through informed legislation and planning frameworks.
Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls
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2018 —
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The Armenian community in Jerusalem, rooted in the fourth century CE with the arrival of pilgrims after Saint Helena's uncovering of holy sites, faced significant socio-economic decline during and after World War I under British rule. This study highlights the transformation of the Armenian presence from a stable lay community centered around the Cathedral of Sts. James to one marked by economic hardship, particularly for the Armenian Patriarchate. The research examines historical records and institutional changes, including the establishment of the Armenian Catholic Church in 1742, to trace the evolution of this community's role within Jerusalem’s Old City. While the study does not present a novel discovery, it provides a critical analysis of the Armenian community's resilience and adaptation amidst political upheaval, offering insights into its enduring cultural and religious significance.
Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero
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2018 —
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Rwandan art—through literature, theater, film, and memorial sites—serves as a powerful tool for reconciliation beyond ethnic divides. Unlike traditional human rights scholarship that focuses on trauma, this study highlights art's recuperative potential in state-led reconciliation efforts post-genocide. By analyzing Rwandan creative works, the research identifies three distinct genres of reconciliation: transfiguration, trial, and memorialization. These genres challenge simplistic ethnic narratives, demonstrating how overlapping artistic expressions foster 'commonality within difference,' a key factor for successful reconciliation politics.
Lord Howe Island Group
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2018 —
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A survey of Lord Howe Island's Coleoptera, conducted in February 2017 by the Australian Museum and the Natural History Museum of Denmark, identified nine new beetle species on the island. The study focused on larger species (1 cm or more), assuming greater vulnerability to predation by the introduced rodent <em>Rattus rattus</em>. Among the 32 large species collected, the cerambycid <em>Oricopis insulana</em> was recorded for the first time since its original collection in the early 1880s. Additionally, a smaller number of large beetle species were documented from Balls Pyramid, located 22 km from the main island. The findings contribute to understanding the biodiversity and conservation status of Lord Howe Island's beetles.
Tongariro National Park
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2018 —
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A deep, asymmetric trough underlies Tongariro National Park, extending from the southern end of Lake Taupo and reaching beneath Mt. Tongariro before diminishing near Mt. Ruapehu. This geological feature, up to 2.5 km deep, was revealed through analysis of gravity data collected in the 1950s and 1960s, processed into Bouguer anomalies at an elevation of 500 meters. Researchers separated regional and residual anomalies, derived sediment density-depth relationships from borehole measurements, and used 2D gravity modeling to construct a 3D structural model. The study provides critical insights into the subsurface morphology of the southern Taupo Volcanic Zone, contributing to our understanding of volcanic activity in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gunung Mulu National Park
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2018 —
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A new account of the Begonia flora in Gunung Mulu and Gunung Buda National Parks, Sarawak, Borneo, identifies five previously undescribed species (Begonia argentii, B. jokwaniana, B. lansatensis, B. muluensis, and B. vulgarioides) and one new record for the region (Begonia chlorocarpa). The study provides illustrated descriptions and a key for identification, expanding the known diversity of Begonias in these UNESCO-listed tropical rainforests. This research contributes to the documentation of Borneo's rich flora while offering tools for future taxonomic studies.
Namib Sand Sea
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2018 —
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Fog events significantly alter microbial aerosol diversity and composition, introducing novel species—including potential human and plant pathogens—to terrestrial ecosystems. This study reveals that fog from coastal Maine (USA) and the Namib Sand Sea (Namibia) contains diverse bacterial and fungal communities distinct from clear aerosols, influenced by both soil and marine sources. Marine-associated taxa like Cyanobacteria and Pseudoalteromonas persist even 50 km inland, suggesting fog facilitates aerobiological transfer between marine and terrestrial systems. The research used metagenomic tools and culturing to analyze fog microbial composition, highlighting the ecological importance of fog in nutrient and microbe deposition across environments.
Phoenix Islands Protected Area
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2018 —
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Announcing marine reserves can inadvertently trigger preemptive overfishing, undermining conservation efforts before policies take effect. A study of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), one of the world's largest marine reserves, revealed that fishers more than doubled their fishing activity once the area was designated for protection. This surge in effort depleted fish stocks to levels equivalent to 1.5 years of banned fishing, setting PIPA back before it even began. Using satellite data tracking fishing activity, researchers demonstrated that anticipation of conservation measures can lead to a 'race-to-fish,' potentially increasing global overexploitation by up to 7%. These findings highlight the unintended consequences of preemptive resource extraction and challenge conventional approaches to monitoring policy efficacy in marine conservation.
Colonies of Benevolence
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2018 —
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Post-War of 1812, British and American authorities sought to segregate the Anishinaabeg—comprising Ojibwes (Chippewas), Odawas (Ottawas), and Potawatomis—across the Canada-US border through distinct Indigenous policies. While the U.S. pursued land cessions and removals west of the Mississippi, British authorities in Upper Canada (Ontario) aimed to concentrate Anishinaabeg on Manitoulin Island and smaller Lake Huron islands, significantly impacting the Odawas whose homeland was divided by the border. This study highlights subtle but critical differences in Indigenous resistance strategies and alliances between Canada and the U.S., exemplified by the careers of two Odawa cousins who led cross-border colonies under missionary and government support. Their trajectories reveal divergent languages of resistance and networks of white allies, offering insights into the nuanced interactions between state policies and Indigenous agency during this period.
Amiens Cathedral
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2018 —
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Amiens Cathedral stands as a pivotal example of Gothic architecture, representing both the culmination of High Gothic refinements from earlier designs like Chartres and a catalyst for a new architectural style that emerged in Paris by the 1230s–40s. Unlike typical cathedral construction, which prioritized the choir, Amiens was built westward due to the existing church of Saint Firmin, used for services during its construction. The cathedral's history is marked by resilience, surviving multiple disasters, including Norman destruction in the late ninth or early tenth century and fires in 1137 and 1218, before its current structure was consecrated in 1250.
Bourges Cathedral
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Bourges Cathedral stands out as a pivotal example of High Gothic architecture, with its influence second only to Chartres and visible across numerous cathedrals in northwestern France and Spain. The cathedral's architectural evolution is marked by three distinct phases, beginning with the adoption of Paris Cathedral's plan—evident in its double aisles and choir design—and progressing to innovations such as exterior aisle construction in the nave around 1225. A later phase saw significant structural changes, including thicker nave walls and the removal of metal reinforcements previously used in the choir. These developments highlight Bourges' unique role in shaping Gothic architectural trends.
Chartres Cathedral
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Chartres Cathedral, rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1194, stands as a testament to the rapid and multifaceted creativity of medieval life. The cathedral's construction was driven by religious energy, particularly the cult of the Virgin Mary, which is linked to ancient pagan traditions and a sacred spring. While the religious motivations behind its rebuilding are clear, the study highlights the speed and efficiency with which this monumental achievement was accomplished, drawing from both spiritual and secular aspects of medieval society.
Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces
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2018 —
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A new framework rooted in event ecology reveals that the drying of terraces at Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, often blamed on tourism-driven water overuse, is actually driven by reduced precipitation and deforestation. Local residents exaggerated tourism’s role due to social conflicts stemming from unequal access to tourism benefits. The study underscores the need for context-sensitive analysis—incorporating political, economic, and social factors—to objectively assess human-environment interactions and promote sustainable heritage management.
Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad
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2018 —
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Ivo Andrić's portrayal of Mehmed-paša Sokolović, the 16th-century Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, in his novel 'The Bridge on the Drina' reveals a profound humanist approach to historical narration. Andrić prioritized oral and folkloric traditions over historical facts, creating a 'literary history' that deepens the legend of Sokolović and the Višegrad bridge. This approach reflects his belief that true human history can be gleaned from stories and legends, transcending factual accuracy. The novel serves as a unique literary legacy, widening and enriching the mythos surrounding Sokolović, rather than adhering strictly to historical data.
National History Park – Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers
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2018 —
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A new synthesis reveals how Haiti's nation-state emerged from the interplay of three distinct social groups: descendants of African slaves, Creole blacks, and mulatto elites. The study identifies two dominant systems shaping Haitian society—Catholic/Protestant capitalism driven by Creole and mulatto elites, and Vodou communitarianism sustained through the lakou system among African descendants. These opposing yet complementary ethos formed the foundation of Haiti's political and social structure. The research employs historical analysis to trace recursive patterns of integration, offering a framework for understanding Haiti's enduring cultural and economic divides.
Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa
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2018 —
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A newly documented set of linear geoglyphs and structures, dubbed the 'Chincha lines,' has been identified in Carmen Pampa within the upper Chincha valley of southern Peru. These geoglyphs, similar to those found in nearby Nasca and Palpa valleys, date back to the Paracas period (400–200 BCE) with potential use extending into AD 100. The complex comprises linear geoglyphs, small mounded structures, and larger platform mounds, offering significant insights into ancient Peruvian cultural practices and regional interactions. This discovery expands our understanding of pre-Columbian art and architecture in the region.
Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara
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2018 —
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A translation of the second part of <em>The Chronicle of Jōe</em>, a historical record of the Fujiwara House, reveals new insights into the political and social dynamics of the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara during Japan's Heian period. The study provides a detailed linguistic analysis of the text, offering fresh perspectives on the Fujiwara clan's influence and governance. By examining the chronicle's structure, language, and historical context, researchers uncover nuanced relationships between power, lineage, and cultural heritage, contributing to our understanding of this UNESCO World Heritage Site's significance in Japanese history.
Khami Ruins National Monument
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2018 —
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New radiocarbon dating reveals Khami, the precolonial capital of the Butua kingdom in southwestern Zimbabwe, emerged as a significant political and economic power by the late 14th century—earlier than previously thought. Analysis of material culture from both walled and non-walled areas indicates household-based craft production was widespread, with pottery making, metalworking, ivory working, agriculture, and animal husbandry forming key economic pillars. The presence of local and exotic objects suggests Khami's integration into regional trade networks, reinforcing its role as a major center during the late medieval period.
Durham Castle and Cathedral
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2018 —
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The bishop of Durham's role was multifaceted, balancing ecclesiastical and secular lordship amid complex jurisdictional challenges. While his diocese extended across Northumberland and Durham, including Newcastle upon Tyne, his authority was fragmented by external liberties such as Hexhamshire (held by archbishops of York) and Tynedale/Redesdale (within the diocese but outside the palatinate). His secular control encompassed most of modern County Durham, along with enclaves in North Yorkshire and Northumberland. This study reveals that his influence was not uniform but rather a patchwork of overlapping jurisdictions, complicating his position as both a spiritual leader and temporal ruler.
Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata
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2018 —
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A circular economy approach can effectively regenerate historic urban landscapes, enhancing both tangible and intangible values of built heritage while reducing the costs of urban renewal. This study demonstrates its potential through the regeneration of Torre Annunziata port area in Southern Italy, a city rich in cultural and landscape heritage. The research combines theoretical models with an applicative case study, aligning with UNESCO's Recommendation on Historic Urban Landscape (HUL). By focusing on sustainable practices, this approach offers a cost-efficient alternative to traditional urban renewal methods, promoting long-term preservation and economic viability.
Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls
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2018 —
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A groundbreaking analysis reveals shared poetic and rhetorical modes across Latin Christendom, Islamic caliphates/sultanates, and the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia through medieval Jerusalem city laments. Contrasting with traditional antagonistic models, this study demonstrates rich cross-cultural exchanges in elegies mourning Jerusalem's loss, whether to Muslim or Christian forces. By examining texts in English, French, Latin, Arabic, and Armenian from 1095–1191, the research challenges Orientalist narratives, exposing literary intersections that reframe our understanding of medieval Mediterranean literature and Crusades historiography.
High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago
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2018 —
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Emergent land in the Kvarken Archipelago presents unique governance challenges due to its dynamic formation from shore displacement. This study reveals that collectively owned emergent land, comprising 14% of the archipelago's second homes, is less commercialized and modernized compared to privately owned plots. The research highlights distinct logics in recreational resource management within these commons, where access is restricted to part-owners, thereby shaping power dynamics and sustainable use practices. Interviews with stakeholders—including municipality planners, local communities, and land survey authorities—shed light on the values and governance structures underpinning this expanding recreational resource.
Borobudur Temple Compounds
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2018 —
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A comparative analysis of Borobudur, Prambanan, and Angkor Wat temples reveals that Angkor Wat incorporates architectural elements from Javanese temples, particularly those from the Java Middle Classic period. The study found that while Angkor Wat shares similarities in mass order, floor plans, figures, and ornaments with Borobudur-Prambanan, it also exhibits further development in ornamentation, suggesting an eclectic synthesis rather than direct replication. Prambanan's elements, such as indoor temples and tower temples, were more strongly represented in Angkor Wat compared to Borobudur. The research used a quantitative-semi-qualitative approach, focusing on main temple buildings through purposive sampling. This insight challenges the notion of strict chronological influence, highlighting instead a dynamic architectural evolution influenced by cultural exchange.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
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2018 —
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The Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, houses one of the world's largest ex situ conservation programs for orthodox seed-bearing wild plants, encompassing 39,669 taxa from 189 countries and all nine biogeographic regions. A comprehensive analysis reveals that 74% of these collections possess significant natural capital or population value, including economic, ecological, social, cultural, or scientific importance. Additionally, over 20% are endemic to their respective regions. Since its inception in 2000, the MSB has distributed more than 11,182 seed samples globally for conservation, research, education, and display. The study identifies gaps in geographic representativeness, taxonomic diversity within large angiosperm families, and coverage of threatened taxa, underscoring the need for further analysis to optimize future collection efforts.
Komodo National Park
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2018 —
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A coral-killing sponge, <i>Chalinula nematifera</i>, has been identified as a common substrate generalist in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This sponge, originally from the Marshall Islands, is raising concerns due to its rapid range expansion and ability to overgrow various coral species. Observed at six out of ten sites in October 2016, it was found interacting with living corals belonging to 13 species, some of which are new host records. Additionally, it colonized dead coral colonies previously covered by algae or sediment, as well as encrusting coralline algae, showing no clear preference for specific hosts or depth ranges. The study highlights the sponge's adaptability and potential impact on coral ecosystems.
Risco Caido and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria Cultural Landscape
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2018 —
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Recent research highlights Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria as a paradigmatic cultural landscape, deeply intertwined with astronomical observations. The study reveals that high-mountain sanctuaries on the island, particularly within the Caldera de Tejeda, were likely used for solar and lunar rituals, supported by fieldwork evidence. These sites offer exceptional natural monuments like Roques Bentayga and Nublo, which served as reference landmarks, facilitating close interaction between land- and skyscapes. The discovery of unique light and shadow effects at Risco Caído further underscores its significance. This research positions Gran Canaria as a prime candidate for the UNESCO 'Astronomy and World Heritage' initiative, illustrating the profound cultural relationship with celestial phenomena in this region.
Ironbridge Gorge
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2018 —
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Industrial landscapes, particularly the Ironbridge Gorge in the Western Midlands, were perceived and represented through mythological and fantastical lenses during the late 18th century. Visitors and industrialists like Jabez Maude Fisher and Richard Reynolds framed these sites using classical mythology and natural history, blending awe with scientific observation. The study reveals how the rhetoric of industry seamlessly integrated with mythological narratives, reflecting both the grandeur of industrial progress and its darker, more chaotic aspects. This fusion was not limited to rhetoric but extended to scientific practice, as seen in Erasmus Darwin's writings, which combined technical descriptions with quasi-mythological imagery. The research approach involved analyzing contemporary accounts, letters, and industrial practices, highlighting the cultural and intellectual context of the period.
Angkor
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2018 —
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A new study reveals that Angkor's urban infrastructure was highly vulnerable to climatic variations, particularly flooding, which could trigger extensive and cascading damage. By transforming archaeological data into a numerical model, researchers demonstrated that the likelihood and severity of such systemic failures increased abruptly with the magnitude of flooding relative to normal flows. This finding supports the hypothesis that abrupt climatic changes, combined with infrastructural vulnerabilities, played a significant role in the demise of Angkor. The study draws parallels between ancient urban challenges and modern critical infrastructure issues.
Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur
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2018 —
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A critical reassessment of prince Kawab's lineage challenges the long-held assumption that he was a son of Cheops (Khufu). By analyzing relief fragments from mastaba G 7110/20 in Giza and comparing them with evidence from Dahshur, this study argues that Kawab is more likely a grandson of Sneferu rather than a direct descendant of Cheops. The research builds on earlier critiques by W. Federn, who first proposed Kawab's connection to Sneferu, but goes further by synthesizing archaeological and epigraphic data to refine the genealogical framework of the Fourth Dynasty's royal family.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)
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2018 —
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The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum's 2017 exhibition renewal leveraged digital technology, such as projection mapping and computer graphics, to vividly depict the destruction of Hiroshima by atomic bombs. This approach aimed to evoke historical empathy in viewers by reinforcing a sense of place and deepening their understanding of the city's pre-war life, people, and identity. The project addressed the urgent need to preserve fading memories of atomic bomb survivors as the war generation ages, while also promoting global nuclear disarmament efforts.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
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2018 —
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A comparative analysis of the spatial orientation of historic churches in San Cristóbal de La Laguna and Santa Cruz de Tenerife reveals a unique, deliberate urban planning pattern in La Laguna. The study found that 21 churches in La Laguna exhibit a clear astronomical declination slightly below 20°, suggesting alignment with the feast-day of San Cristóbal de Licia (July 25th). In contrast, six churches in Santa Cruz show no such pattern, instead aligning with orographic sunrise limits. This discrepancy supports the idea that La Laguna was meticulously planned in the early 16th century, distinguishing it from its contemporary counterpart.
New Lanark
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Robert Owen's seminal work, 'The Development of Socialism,' outlines a pioneering vision for social reform and utopian socialism, rooted in his experiences at New Lanark. The text presents a comprehensive plan for societal transformation, emphasizing education, cooperative living, and equitable labor practices to address poverty and industrial exploitation. Owen's approach combines empirical observations on the cotton trade and manufacturing systems with philosophical essays advocating for systemic change. His proposals, including the establishment of self-supporting colonies and a 'New Moral World,' challenge conventional economic and social structures, offering an early framework for modern socialism. The work spans decades, reflecting Owen's evolving ideas from practical reforms to radical societal restructuring.
Historic and Architectural Complex of the Kazan Kremlin
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2018 —
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The tourist-excursion sphere in Kazan during the first half of the 20th century played a pivotal role in socio-cultural development, serving as both an educational tool and a means to propagate Soviet ideals. This study reveals that tourism and excursions were instrumental in raising the cultural level of the population, with organized efforts including the creation of guidebooks, methodological works on tours, and the establishment of tourist-excursion societies. The research highlights significant stages such as the organizational-centralization phase (1920s–1930s), which saw the formation of a systematic tourist-excursion service, including new forms like research routes and themed excursions. It also underscores the educational impact on schoolchildren and youth through pioneering initiatives like tourist sections in Pioneers’ Houses and children’s tourist stations. The study draws from archival sources, early guidebooks, and methodological works to analyze the development, challenges, and ideological underpinnings of this period, offering valuable insights for courses in Russian history and tourism.
Mogao Caves
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2018 —
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Research on the Mogao Caves reveals that during A.D. 786–907, Tibetan-influenced painting styles in Dunhuang lacked a unified model, with significant variations between murals and silk paintings preserved in Library Cave. The study suggests these differences stem from complex historical and cultural interactions, rather than a single artistic tradition. Notably, the Pala style of eastern India emerged in Dunhuang by A.D. 848 but was likely propagated independently of Tibetan influence, challenging assumptions about its regional origins. This finding sheds light on the diverse artistic exchanges along the Silk Road during this period.
Sangiran Early Man Site
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2018 —
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Research at the Sangiran Early Man Site reveals that 11 genera of sharks inhabited the Java Sea during the Plio-Pleistocene epoch (2.8 to 1.8 million years ago). This ancient marine environment, characterized by lagoons and coastal swamps, preserved diverse shark teeth fossils with distinct morphological shapes. The study employed morphological comparison and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify these genera using modern shark teeth collections from the Research Centre for Oceanography - LIPI in Jakarta. By comparing fossilized teeth from Sangiran Museum, BPSMPS Karanganyar, and UGM Yogyakarta with contemporary specimens, researchers reconstructed shark diversity during this transitional period.
Alto Douro Wine Region
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2018 —
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The Alto Douro Wine Region, recognized as an 'Evolving Living Landscape' by UNESCO, faces a tension between preserving its traditional terraced vineyards and adapting to modern agricultural needs. Research reveals that while the region's 250-year-old cultural landscape, renowned for Port wine production, has evolved with new vineyard types like 'vinha ao alto' (vertical vines) and 'vinha em patamares' (terraced vines), there is a pressing need to balance sustainability with heritage conservation. The study combines documentary analysis and fieldwork to explore how this World Heritage Site can maintain its cultural significance while addressing labor shortages and productivity demands.
Tassili n'Ajjer
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Archaeological evidence reveals that the earliest Berber groups migrated into the central Sahara between 3000 and 2000 BC, coinciding with a period of relative humidity before the region's shift to aridity. These groups, likely originating from the east and north, spread across Tassili n'Ajjer, leaving behind intricate rock art that stands among the world's finest Neolithic representations. The study suggests that Black population groups dominated the Sahara during earlier pastoral phases, but Berber populations became prominent later, benefiting from favorable climatic conditions. Research relied on archaeological analysis of artifacts and rock art to reconstruct historical demographic shifts.
Hortobágy National Park - the Puszta
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Grazing by both extensive and intensive cattle breeds is effective for maintaining the nutrient content and diversity of saline grasslands, crucial for both nature conservation and agricultural sustainability. The study found that grazing significantly impacts crude protein and life-sustaining net energy content in vegetation, with higher values observed under medium-density grazing over two years. While no significant differences were noted between Hungarian grey (extensive) and intensive beef cattle breeds on most parameters, intensive grazing slightly increased life-sustaining net energy content. Conducted across 16 sample areas in Hortobágy National Park from 2016 to 2017, the research analyzed dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, and net energy content along moisture gradients, demonstrating that cattle grazing is essential for preserving both wet and mesophilous saline habitats.
Mogao Caves
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Windblown sand, driven by high-velocity winds, is a significant factor in the deterioration of mural paintings on the east wall of Cave 285 in the UNESCO-listed Mogao Caves. Despite being less exposed to moisture and solar radiation compared to other walls, the east wall exhibits notable damage, including detachment, flaking, and fading, attributed to sand adhesion and collision. This study highlights the dual impact of wind velocity on both the physical structure and artistic integrity of the murals, offering critical insights for conservation efforts in arid environments.
Mount Athos
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Mount Athos monk elders have emerged as influential figures in modern Greek society, their charisma shaping religious discourse and serving as symbols of cultural resistance. This influence has grown significantly since the 1980s, particularly during economic crises, positioning these elders as embodiments of alternative economies of desire and collective fantasies of power and pleasure. The study employs a theoretical framework rooted in symbolic anthropology and Lacanian theory to analyze this phenomenon, revealing how gerontismos (elderism) functions as a potent form of religious discourse in contemporary Greece.
Archaeological Site of Mystras
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A rare autograph by Ciriaco de’ Pizzicolli d’Ancona, featuring an elephant drawing in the 15th-century Mystras manuscript Mut. gr. 144, sheds light on cultural exchange between Byzantium and Italy. The image, one of few surviving works by d’Ancona, is accompanied by Greek inscriptions that contextualize his role as a bridge between intellectual milieus in Mystras and Italy. By analyzing the elephant’s depiction within contemporary debates about virtue, this study reveals how visual and textual elements in the manuscript reflect broader cross-cultural interactions during the 1440s.
Aksum
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Contrary to the prevailing scholarly view, the Aksumite kingdom's use of elephants was not primarily military but centered on regal display and power symbolism. A re-evaluation of Arab and Byzantine sources reveals that the Aksumites favored the larger bush elephant over the smaller forest elephant, leveraging its significance in the late antique ivory trade to bolster their strategic position. This challenges traditional assumptions about the role of elephants in Aksumite society and underscores their cultural and economic importance beyond warfare.
Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France
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Recent decades have witnessed a significant resurgence in the popularity of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, particularly along its routes in France. This renewed interest has brought both cultural revitalization and environmental challenges, necessitating a shift towards sustainable tourism management. While Spain has taken a more global approach to leveraging the pilgrimage's economic potential, France has made notable progress in recent years by prioritizing the preservation of this unique heritage through careful management strategies. The study highlights that the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France hold substantial potential to serve as a model for cross-border sustainable tourism, provided that ongoing efforts are sustained and expanded.
Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan
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The Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group provides critical insights into the emergence of political rulership and state formation in early Japan. Research reveals that aristocratic burial customs and overseas links with Korea and China played pivotal roles in shaping the Early Kofun political ideology. Notably, this period featured a significant female component in leadership, which later diminished. The study traces the transformation of Kofun-period culture through continental immigration and highlights the influence of the Lelang Commandery on mounded burial practices. This research offers a nuanced understanding of Japan's ancient state development, blending archaeological evidence with historical analysis.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
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A distinct sediment layer in Horseshoe Lake, formed between AD 1150 and 1220, reveals the environmental impact of Cahokia's expansion. This gray, fine-grained layer, characterized by low carbonate δ13C, elevated metal concentrations (lead, copper, potassium, aluminum), and increased organic matter δ15N, correlates with archaeological evidence of heightened agricultural activity, mound construction, and population growth. The study suggests that human activities intensified soil erosion, altering sediment sources and nutrient cycling in the watershed. Geochemical analysis of a 1500-year-old lake core provides a novel, multi-proxy record of pre-Columbian urbanization's ecological footprint.
Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks
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Researchers propose the 'Cerrado Vegetation Triangle,' a novel model that characterizes woody vegetation in Brazil's Cerrado Domain based on tree species composition and ecological drivers. The study analyzed 1,165 inventories across six vegetation types—woody savannas, dystrophic cerradão, mesotrophic cerradão, seasonally dry tropical forests, semideciduous forests, and evergreen forests—and found three distinct extremes: high-water-availability forests (semideciduous and evergreen), fertile-soil forests (seasonally dry tropical), and poor-soil savannas. Mesotrophic cerradão acts as a transitional type. The findings underscore the role of local substrate heterogeneity and fire history in shaping vegetation mosaics, offering insights for conservation under environmental change.
Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca
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2018 —
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Historic waterfronts, once vital for transportation and urban life, have faced decline due to the shift of central business districts inland. This study reveals that tourism development and government-led initiatives play pivotal roles in revitalizing these areas, preserving their cultural identity while fostering economic growth. Focusing on George Town, Penangthe research employs evolutionary analysis using historical resources and maps to trace how waterfronts transitioned from brownfields to commercial, residential, and recreational spaces. The findings highlight the transformative impact of tourism as a catalyst for urban renewal, offering insights into sustainable redevelopment strategies for similar heritage sites.
