Monte San Giorgio
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A virtually complete specimen of Lariosaurus valceresii, the first of its kind with preserved skin, has been discovered in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Monte San Giorgio. This rare find reveals that the hands and feet were webbed, suggesting a paraxial, otariid-like swimming method for rapid acceleration. The carbon-film-preserved skin outlines the body and limbs, providing insights into the muscular structure and swimming mechanics of this eosauropterygian nothosauroid from the Middle Triassic. This discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary adaptations of aquatic reptiles during the Triassic period.
Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh
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A groundbreaking thousand-year pine tree-ring chronology (997–2020 AD) for Belarus has been developed, offering unprecedented insights into climate variability and wood provenance. This chronology, BY02b, was constructed using tree-ring series from living trees, as well as historic and archaeological timbers sourced from Nesvizh Castle, the Holy Intercession Church in Turets, Hrodna Castle, and Navahrudak. The analysis reveals strong correlations with neighboring regional chronologies, including those from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Northern Belarus, suggesting shared climatic influences during the 14th century. Tree-ring width demonstrates stable positive relationships with June precipitation and March temperatures, positioning this chronology as a valuable climate proxy for Baltic pine wood dating and provenancing.
Kujataa Greenland: Norse and Inuit Farming at the Edge of the Ice Cap
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Arctic flowering plants play a significant and often overlooked role in shaping human experiences and cultural narratives, challenging traditional notions of mastery and inspiring euphoria and understanding. This study examines the works of 19th- and 20th-century voyagers, writers, artists, and botanists from Norway, Britain, and the United States to illustrate how these plants influenced outsiders' perceptions of the Arctic, often leading to a confusion of categories and a deeper appreciation for Indigenous knowledge. The research connects historical plant investigations with modern initiatives like the Greenland Arboretum in Narsarsuaq and the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting the complex cultural politics of current 'Arctic greening' efforts.
Butrint
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A detailed analysis of glass artifacts from the Western Defenses at Butrint, particularly from Towers 1 and 2, reveals a sophisticated trade network connecting Butrint with Egypt, Syria, and Palestine during the Late Roman and Byzantine periods. The study cataloged and classified glass fragments—including window glass, bottles, jugs, and goblets—by type, color, and manufacturing technique. Chemical composition data was used to trace the provenance of these artifacts, suggesting a dynamic exchange of goods. Tower 1's context hints at its possible role as a storage or recycling hub, offering new insights into the economic and cultural dynamics of the time.
Hatra
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A reexamination of the god Zaqīqā at Hatra reveals his pivotal role in the city's syncretic pantheon, linking Parthian North Mesopotamian traditions with older Mesopotamian models. This study highlights Zaqīqā's unique attributes as a deity of dreams and the afterlife, demonstrating his complex interactions with other deities, particularly Barmārēn and Nērgōl, within Hatra's religious framework. By analyzing textual and iconographic evidence, the research sheds new light on the assimilation processes and cultural exchanges that defined Hatra's diverse pantheon, offering insights into its broader historical and theological significance.
Henderson Island
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A significant reduction in plastic accumulation on Henderson Island, a remote UNESCO World Heritage Site in the South Pacific, was observed following a 2019 cleanup. Annual accumulation rates dropped from 284.75 g/m² (2015–2019) to just 16.8 g/m² (2019–2024), though litter density remains high at 53 items/m², primarily maritime debris. This study leverages decade-long longitudinal data to demonstrate the effectiveness of large-scale cleanups while highlighting persistent pollution challenges. It underscores Henderson Island's role as a microcosm for monitoring oceanic plastic dynamics, emphasizing the need for ongoing community-led efforts, larger sample sizes, and stricter maritime regulations to address lingering debris. Seasonal variability and methodological differences in data collection were also identified as key factors influencing results.
Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs
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A rare glimpse into the everyday life and economic dynamics of medieval Provins, France, emerges from the 'Herring Scandal' of 1582. This incident, documented by priest Claude Haton in his memoirs, reveals hidden aspects of herring trade, consumption patterns, and power relations during the Maritime Revolution. The study leverages judicial, fiscal, and narrative sources to reconstruct the herring's journey from harvest to consumer, challenging the typical silences in historical records about mundane details. Expert examinations and judgments by municipal authorities, including consultations with other towns and the Parliament of Paris, underscore the complexities of food regulation and power structures in medieval society.
Historic Town of Grand-Bassam
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The Historic Town of Grand-Bassam, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2012, exemplifies transmodern heritage—a decolonial framework that challenges conventional interpretations of colonial urban development. This approach reveals the distinct yet coexisting realities of Quartier France, the 19th-century colonial capital, and N'zima village, home to the N'zima kotoko people. By analyzing their planning, architecture, and spatial organization, the study highlights the social, economic, political, and cultural alterity of African communities in Grand-Bassam, moving beyond the core-periphery dynamic imposed by colonization. This perspective offers a nuanced understanding of how these two sections reflect divergent yet interwoven histories, enriching our comprehension of heritage sites shaped by colonial and postcolonial forces.
Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz
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Shahrisabz, one of the oldest and youngest cities in its region, stands out for its rich historical architectural heritage and urban planning. This study highlights the city's unique blend of ancient and modern elements, emphasizing its infrastructure and tourist potential. The research approach involves a detailed analysis of Shahrisabz's architectural monuments, urban layout, and cultural significance, offering insights into its development over time. By examining these aspects, the study underscores the city's importance as both a historical treasure and a dynamic cultural destination.
Santiniketan
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Santiniketan, originally established as a spiritual retreat in 1863 by Debendranath Tagore, has evolved into a globally renowned hub for education, arts, and internationalism. A regional perspective reveals how its development was deeply influenced by Bengal's cultural, social, and environmental context, shaping its progressive values over nearly 160 years. This study underscores Santiniketan's enduring significance as a model of sustainable living and cultural synthesis, culminating in its 2023 designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Through archival research and contextual analysis, the paper demonstrates how this neighborhood project transcended local boundaries to achieve international recognition.
Itchan Kala
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Uzbekistan stands as a cultural treasure trove, particularly along the Great Silk Road, with its historical monuments and ancient sites reflecting a profound legacy. Key landmarks include Registan Square in Samarkand, the Ark Fortress in Bukhara, and Itchan Kala's inner city in Khiva, while Termez showcases Buddhist temples and Khorezm fortresses. The country's contributions to scholarship are equally significant, with figures like Amir Timur (Tamerlane), Ulugh Beg, Al-Khwarizmi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Al-Biruni, and poet Alisher Navoi shaping its intellectual history. Notable museums, such as the Amir Timur Museum in Tashkent, the Savitsky Art Museum in Nukus, and the State Museum of History, further enrich this heritage. This legacy positions Uzbekistan as a pivotal node in global cultural exchange.
Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura
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The Hohlenstein Therianthrope, or Lion-Man of Hohlenstein-Stadel, is a 40,000-year-old ivory figurine that challenges conventional views on early human cognition. This extraordinary artifact, depicting a hybrid figure with human traits and the head and limbs of a cave lion, showcases sophisticated craftsmanship and symbolic thought. Through archaeological analysis, comparative studies, and cognitive archaeology, this research reveals the Therianthrope as a pivotal expression of Paleolithic humans' ability to conceptualize complex symbolic behavior, potentially linked to shamanistic practices or mythological narratives. The study provides new insights into the origins of human spirituality and artistic expression during the Upper Paleolithic period.
Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas
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A global archaeological analysis reveals the enduring human capacity for symbolic expression, tracing its evolution from Paleolithic Europe to Holocene Patagonia. The study compares rock art, portable artifacts, and ritual burials across iconic sites like Chauvet, Lascaux, and Cueva de las Manos, uncovering shared cognitive architectures and social functions despite geographical and temporal differences. Environmental, social, and psychological drivers of symbolic production are critically assessed, highlighting its role in communication, identity formation, spirituality, and territorial marking. This research underscores the universal nature of human symbolic expression, offering insights into our shared cultural heritage and cognitive journey.
Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco
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The Hypsographic Monument in Mexico City, originally erected in 1878 to serve as a fixed reference point for geographical and scientific data, now embodies uncertainty due to its relocation. This displacement challenges the monument's symbolic role as the 'kilometre zero' of Mexico, raising questions about authority, truth, and the evolution of historical objects. The study examines how the monument, intended to be permanently fixed with scientific information such as coordinates and standards of length, has become a palimpsest of contradictory narratives. Its current state reflects contemporary disregard and speculative storytelling, offering a case study on how historic commemorative objects lose meaning over time.
Ilulissat Icefjord
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Climate change and oceanic forces are destabilizing the Sermermiut archaeological site at Ilulissat Icefjord, threatening 4000 years of Inuit cultural heritage. A 2024 fieldwork initiative, involving Greenland’s cultural institutions and international partnerships, employed advanced monitoring techniques and community engagement to study these impacts. The research underscores the need for adaptive management strategies that align with the UN 2030 Agenda to safeguard this UNESCO World Heritage Site. By integrating scientific research, responsible site management, and local knowledge, the Ilulissat Icefjord can remain a globally significant natural site while supporting resilient Arctic communities in a changing climate.
Tomb of Askia
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The Tomb of Askia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gao, faces severe threats from climate change-induced flooding and desertification, exacerbated by regional insecurity. Despite the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, these challenges remain unaddressed due to insufficient reporting and understanding of their interrelationships. The study highlights the urgent need for improved data collection and integrated strategies to mitigate environmental degradation and safeguard cultural heritage in vulnerable regions.
Medina of Marrakesh
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Islamic jurisprudence principles, particularly Mālikī treatises on construction and easements, functioned as a dynamic urban planning code for medieval Islamic cities, shaping their form through regulations on structural safety, public health, environmental zoning, and privacy. This study reconstructs these rules from foundational juristic texts and demonstrates their materialization in the street dimensions, courtyard proportions, and craft districts of Medina, Fez, and Marrakesh. By correlating textual rulings with archaeological evidence, it reveals how principles like 'no harm and no reciprocal harm' mandated load-bearing limits, minimum road widths, and industrial zoning outside residential areas, while protecting courtyards and gardens. The findings position Islamic jurisprudence as a resource for culturally rooted urban sustainability, offering insights for heritage tourism and context-sensitive planning that complement international charters.
Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca
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Tangible heritage treasures in George Town, Malaysia, function as specialized markets with significant economic value, serving as both monetary assets and indicators of living cultural heritage. This dual role generates positive financial impacts for historical buildings but also introduces challenges like gentrification, which displaces long-standing residents. The study highlights the need for adaptive reuse and ongoing maintenance to sustain these assets while addressing issues such as displacement and the long-term viability of sustainable enterprises. Qualitative data from local and international traders were analyzed using a framework approach, revealing perspectives that offer constructive suggestions for heritage conservation in light of challenges like those posed by Covid-19.
Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian
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Research reveals that the quality of museum websites significantly influences visitors' willingness to engage with physical archaeological site museums. Specifically, high information quality and realistic virtual representations on official websites enhance visitors' cognitive understanding, while strong system and service quality foster positive emotional connections. These factors collectively drive greater interest in physical site visits and studies. The study, based on a questionnaire survey of 272 participants at the Zhoukoudian Site Museum, used SPSS and AMOS to validate its model, which integrates 'cognition-affection-conation' theory and immersion theory. Findings offer actionable insights for improving museum website design to boost educational engagement.
Kilimanjaro National Park
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Community-based tourism (CBT) significantly boosts local livelihoods, with 48% of respondents reporting improvements and 56% engaged in CBT-related activities earning between 100,000 and 500,000 Tanzanian Shillings monthly. The study, involving 384 households near Tanzania's national parks, identified diversity of CBT activities, type of employment, and increased income as key predictors of participation. However, challenges such as limited community capacity, poor infrastructure, and weak governance hinder its effectiveness. Recommendations include targeted capacity building for women and youth, inclusive governance, equitable benefit-sharing policies, and global promotion of local initiatives to enhance sustainability and fairness.
Lower Valley of the Omo
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Upstream damming of the Omo River has severely disrupted flood-retreat agriculture, a critical food source for the Dassanech agro-pastoralists in Ethiopia's Lower Omo Valley. This disruption has intensified humanitarian crises, including drought and flooding disasters, leading to starvation, disease, and interethnic conflict. The study, employing qualitative methods like key informant interviews and focus group discussions with 68 participants, reveals that damming and large-scale agricultural investments have eroded the communities' resilience, particularly in harsh agro-ecological conditions. The findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable ecosystem management to mitigate food insecurity and ensure survival in the face of climate change.
Erbil Citadel
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A groundbreaking methodology for sustainable heritage reuse, applied to the UNESCO-listed Erbil Citadel houses, demonstrates how adaptive reuse can preserve cultural integrity while enabling modern functionality. This approach minimizes invasive construction and extends building lifespans, serving as a blueprint for global heritage conservation. By integrating strategies that balance architectural significance with contemporary uses—such as cultural centers, museums, and boutique accommodations—the study highlights the potential to stimulate economic activity and foster urban development without compromising historical identity. The framework offers a scalable model for other World Heritage Sites, emphasizing environmental sustainability, cultural continuity, and adaptive reuse as key pillars of heritage conservation.
Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda
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A damage map emerges as a critical tool for assessing the conservation state of historical buildings, particularly those with significant preservation interest. This study highlights its importance through a case analysis of Carmo's Church in Olinda, Brazil—a 16th-century Carmelite church and part of UNESCO’s World Heritage-listed Historic Centre. The research demonstrates that understanding construction techniques, materials, maintenance routines, and historical interventions is essential for diagnosing facade pathologies accurately. Despite recent restoration (2012), the study identifies new pathological manifestations appearing within four years, underscoring the need for long-term monitoring and comprehensive documentation to inform conservation strategies.
Dholavira: a Harappan City
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A groundbreaking analysis reveals that an Indus Valley seal from Dholavira encodes a complete municipal water-distribution system, offering the first functional decoding of its kind. The seal's six interconnected hydraulic motifs—intake grid, filtration gate, sediment control channels, pressure-balance shaft, diversion valve, and anti-backflow regulator—mirror excavated structures from major Harappan sites like Dholavira, Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Lothal. Below these symbols, a storage vessel signifies controlled household allocation, while the buffalo emblem denotes administrative oversight. This interpretation, rooted in functional logic and archaeological parallels, demonstrates that Indus engineers used seals to represent real operational processes, providing a novel lens for understanding the Indus script through engineering systems rather than linguistic reconstruction.
Kilimanjaro National Park
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A study on the lower montane forest of Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania, reveals significant variations in plant species diversity and distribution across its western, southern, and eastern slopes. The research identifies soil pH, calcium content, clay content, potassium levels, carbon-nitrogen ratio, and silt as key environmental factors influencing plant community composition. Using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) on data from 65 plots along 13 transects, the study found a strong gradient between these soil characteristics and plant diversity, with the western slopes exhibiting the highest species richness at an average of 17.44 species. These findings provide critical insights for the conservation and restoration efforts in this unique ecosystem.
Durmitor National Park
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Residents of Durmitor National Park exhibit more balanced attitudes toward tourism's impacts compared to those in Skadar Lake National Park, with higher ratings for both positive and negative aspects. Conversely, Skadar Lake residents show greater enthusiasm for tourism promotion and engagement. Socio-demographic factors, particularly education and age, significantly influence these perceptions. The study employed questionnaire data analyzed through multiple regression, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation, ensuring robust statistical validity. These findings highlight the need to tailor sustainable tourism development strategies to local communities’ specific needs and attitudes in both parks.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
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A study on Lençóis Maranhenses National Park reveals that locality is the sole socioeconomic factor significantly influencing local knowledge of reptiles and mammals. The research, conducted through semi-structured questionnaires and interviews, documented 36 species (including 53% non-avian reptiles and 47% mammals) across 10 orders, highlighting dietary, medicinal, and conflict-related interactions between residents and fauna. Despite analyzing variables like age, sex, education, and locality, only locality proved significant in shaping traditional faunal knowledge, underscoring the importance of geographic context in ecological understanding.
Prambanan Temple Compounds
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A study reveals that integrating local narratives, known as storynomics, and developing attractive tourism products significantly boosts tourist interest in Prambanan Temple Tourism Park. Using quantitative methods with 100 respondents, researchers found that storynomics, particularly the legend of Roro Jonggrang, is the dominant factor influencing visitation, followed by tourism products like local crafts and facilities. The findings underscore the importance of combining strong cultural narratives with well-designed tourism offerings to create unique experiences, offering valuable insights for destination managers aiming to enhance tourist engagement.
Erbil Citadel
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Traditional architecture in the Citadel of Erbil demonstrates inherent sustainability that can inform modern residential design. The study developed tailored Sustainability Assessment Methods (SEAM and SSAM) to evaluate environmental and social performance, comparing three traditional and three contemporary houses in Erbil. Findings suggest that traditional designs—rooted in local climate adaptation and cultural values—offer sustainable alternatives for contemporary urban planning. The research highlights the potential of integrating traditional architectural principles into modern residential buildings to enhance sustainability, providing actionable guidelines for policymakers and designers.
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System
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Inca statecraft was underpinned by a sophisticated interplay of landscape manipulation, material resource management, and algorithmic logic embedded in the quipu—a knotted cord system. This study reveals that the Inca Empire's administrative prowess extended beyond military control to include strategic reshaping of the Andean environment through roads, terraces, and monumental architecture, facilitating resource extraction and ideological dissemination. Additionally, the materiality of goods like textiles, ceramics, and metals played dual roles as economic drivers and symbols of authority. Computational analysis of quipu structures further demonstrates their algorithmic logic, offering insights into Inca bureaucratic processes. By integrating archaeological evidence, ethnohistorical accounts, and computational methods, this research provides a holistic framework for understanding the complexities of Inca governance.
Hanseatic City of Lübeck
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Recent urban transformations in Lübeck's medieval Gründungsviertel (Founders District) demonstrate the effectiveness of critical reconstruction principles, which blend historical morphology with contemporary design. This approach, tested through a didactic experiment at Politecnico di Milano, successfully replaced outdated post-war structures around the Marktplatz and Buddenbrookhaus with new buildings that reinterpret original forms while maintaining legibility. The study highlights how such interventions can preserve urban character while addressing modern needs, offering a model for other German city centers facing similar challenges.
Archaeological Zone of Paquimé, Casas Grandes
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Clown societies among the Casas Grandes culture, centered in Chihuahua, Mexico, played a significant role during the Medio Period (AD 1200–1450), with potential influence on the development of Puebloan clown societies. These clowns, often seen as avatars of Sun Youth, were integral to governance, katsina ritualism, medicine societies, and the agricultural cycle. The study combines archaeological, ethnohistorical, and ethnological data from the U.S. Southwest and northwest Mexico to uncover their complex roles and societal significance.
Sun Temple, Konârak
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Ancient artisans of the Konark Temple demonstrated remarkable engineering ingenuity, including the transportation and lifting of colossal stones—such as the world's heaviest stone hoisted to about 200 feet—and the use of rust-resistant iron. The temple, built by Narasimhadeva I to commemorate his military victories and devotion to the Sun God, also showcases advanced astronomical knowledge and sophisticated foundation-laying techniques. A critical review of historical, cultural, and scientific evidence reveals the dual purpose behind its construction while highlighting the enduring legacy of ancient technical expertise. The study synthesizes findings from archaeological discoveries, indigenous knowledge, and scholarly sources, pointing to the need for further exploration of this monumental structure's construction methods.
Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
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The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, with its thousand-year history, emerges as a potent symbol for Ukrainian state-building and national identity, particularly during wartime. A case study of a Christmas culinary video program filmed in the Refectory Chamber of the Lavra revealed significant public resonance, challenging traditional Orthodox Church norms and sparking widespread discourse among Ukrainian society, clergy, and intellectuals. This event underscores the Lavra's role as a dynamic source of new meanings, bridging cultural heritage with contemporary national narratives. The study employs critical discourse analysis, argumentation theory, and case study methods to dissect media reactions and public conversations, highlighting the Lavra's transformative potential in shaping Ukraine's collective identity.
Archaeological Site of Olympia
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Ancient Olympia, renowned as the site of the Panhellenic Games, was once situated at the shore of a mid-to-late Holocene lake that persisted from the 8th millennium BC until the 6th century AD. This discovery, based on sediment cores and multi-proxy analyses from the Basin of Makrisia and the adjacent Basin of Ladiko, reveals distinct phases of limnic conditions, including freshwater to eutrophic environments. Radiocarbon dating indicates the lake's existence during Olympia's peak cult period, with its disappearance linked to a significant drop in the Alpheios River's water level between the 13th and 14th centuries AD, forming the Olympia Terrace. The study also highlights the lake's impact on river discharge and sediment transport, along with its historical, archaeological, and geomorphological implications.
Complex of Koguryo Tombs
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Recent research on Goguryeo royal stone-mound tombs reveals that the emergence of Funerary Place Named–Royal Titles and the construction of exclusive, large-scale mound tombs were not merely administrative practices but deliberate manifestations of hierarchical authority. These tombs, characterized by segregated spaces and prominent locations within the capital at Gungnaeseong, contrasted sharply with densely arranged mid- and lower-ranking burials, reinforcing social hierarchy in both everyday life and across generations. The study suggests that Goguryeo rulers used these titles and landscapes to assert and expand their kingship, providing a stable chronological framework for cross-dating material culture across Northeast Asia. While unresolved debates persist regarding the identification of certain tombs, recent proposals have established a relatively consistent correspondence between identifiable kings and their burial sites.
Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan
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A groundbreaking analysis proposes that Teotihuacan's writing system, long considered enigmatic, encodes a Uto-Aztecan language ancestral to Nahuatl, Cora, and Huichol. The study challenges the notion that Teotihuacan signs lack linguistic specificity by demonstrating their alignment with Mesoamerican scribal traditions, including logograms (rebus principle) and 'double spelling.' Through comparative glyphic analysis, researchers argue for a coherent linguistic foundation, offering new interpretations of previously undeciphered symbols. This breakthrough suggests Teotihuacan's writing was not merely symbolic but conveyed meaningful content tied to an identifiable language family, reshaping our understanding of this iconic Mesoamerican civilization.
Melka Kunture and Balchit: Archaeological and Palaeontological Sites in the Highland Area of Ethiopia
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Acheulean technology, a pivotal milestone in human evolution, shows signs of early development around 2.0 million years ago in the Ethiopian plateau, specifically at Melka Kunture. Analysis of Gombore I Level B, an extensively excavated Early Acheulean site, reveals decisive technological innovations beyond traditional handaxe shaping and large flake production. These include spatial segmentation of operational sequences, complex raw material selection, tool retouching, and advanced flake production systems like Kombewa and Prepared Core Technology. While retaining features of Oldowan technology, such as core-and-flake methods, the assemblage demonstrates a significant leap in toolmaking complexity, offering rare insights into the early stages of Acheulean development in East Africa.
Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa
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A review of the large mammal fossil fauna from South Africa's Cradle of Humankind reveals that while hominin fossils have been extensively studied, the site's abundant non-hominin faunal assemblages have been largely overlooked despite their potential for Plio-Pleistocene palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. The study highlights a trend across eight radiometrically dated sites—Bolt's Farm, Cooper's Cave, Drimolen, Haasgat, Hoogland, Malapa, Sterkfontein, and Swartkrans—that shows wooded landscapes transitioning to grasslands over time, primarily based on faunal abundance data. The review also underscores the need for more precise dating and comprehensive faunal reporting to better contextualize these sites, many of which have not been revisited or reanalyzed in decades.
Minoan Palatial Centres
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The Late Helladic III Period marks a significant shift in Crete, where Mycenaean influence replaces the Minoan Palatial Centers after the destruction of Knossos around 1375 BC. This era introduces fortified citadels with Cyclopean walls and palaces characterized by megaron structures, courtyards, and workshops, adorned with frescoes depicting scenes of palatial life. Mycenaean palaces, distinct from their Minoan predecessors, exhibit hierarchical organization centered around the 'wanax,' serving as administrative, economic, military, political, and religious hubs. Notably, Mycenae emerges as a leader in power and artistic innovation, exemplified by the Lion Gate and advanced metalwork and ivory carving traditions. Clay figurines further highlight the era's artistic expression, blending functional complexity with cultural homogeneity.
Hortobágy National Park - the Puszta
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A two-phase construction of the Ecse Mound, dating to the end of the Copper Age, has been revealed through sedimentological and malacological analysis. This discovery sheds light on the landscape evolution around Hortobágy National Park during the Holocene period, following the Middle and Upper Pleniglacial, and Late Glacial phases of the Ice Age. The study utilized undisturbed core drilling and radiocarbon (AMS) measurements to analyze sediment properties both within the mound and its substrate base rock. Additionally, it highlights the need for standardized methodology in kurgan research to ensure consistent and comparable results across different studies.
Vatican City
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The Vatican City State's legal system demonstrates a unique form of 'legal transplants,' where norms from religious, Italian, European Union, and international law are creatively integrated to form a distinct legal framework. This study reveals that the reception of law in the Vatican is characterized by the selective borrowing and adaptation of diverse legal sources, including canon law and secular norms, which sets it apart from other examples of legal transplantation, such as EU law implementation in member states. The research analyzes how the confessional nature of the Vatican influences its legal norms and explores whether this mechanism could be applied in secular states. By examining the jurisprudence of Vatican courts and legislative practices, the study highlights the dynamic interplay between religious and secular legal principles.
Villa Adriana (Tivoli)
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New evidence from the Liceo area, south of Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli, reveals that its buildings—including recently excavated thermae (Building A), an ambulatorium, and two large cisterns—were integral to the imperial estate. Analysis of their location, chronology, and function suggests direct connection to both the late Republican predecessor villa and Hadrian’s later expansion, challenging long-standing assumptions about the area's exclusion from state-protected archaeological zones. The study, based on Norwegian-Swedish fieldwork (2011–2015), sheds light on a neglected but essential component of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks
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Long-term absence of natural fires (17 years) significantly restructured small-bodied mammal assemblages in the Cerrado Protected Areas, leading to habitat homogenization and shifts in species composition. The study compared data from 2016–2017 (no fires) with 1999–2000 (fires present), revealing that most species adapted to both forest and savannah environments, unlike the distinct assemblages observed during natural fire regimes. This suggests fire absence alters local biodiversity dynamics, emphasizing its critical role in maintaining Cerrado ecosystems. The findings underscore the need for nuanced fire management strategies to preserve native biotas, as both excessive fires and their complete suppression negatively impact mammal communities.
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System
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A multi-scale analysis of the Lauca Altiplano reveals that Andean movement networks, including those linked to the Qhapaq Ñan and Potosí silver mines, exhibited remarkable resilience over millennia, with indigenous actors maintaining these systems despite minimal investment from the Inca and Spanish Empires. Combining historical maps, satellite imagery, field surveys, and stratigraphic data at way station settlements (tambo sites), researchers demonstrated that road networks persisted until modern territorial changes, challenging assumptions about imperial influence on transportation infrastructure in the Andes.
Timgad
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A new analysis reveals that the ancient Roman library at Timgad, Algeria, was not uniformly daylit, suggesting its use varied spatially and temporally. The study compared Vitruvian design principles with previous research on Roman libraries before using 3D geometric modeling and Radiance simulations to characterize daylighting conditions in the library's large reading room. This approach highlights how the library's luminous environment influenced activities like consulting, reading, and storing books, offering insights into its functional adaptation to Timgad's unique climate.
Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija
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During the reign of Philip II (1556–1598), the Spanish crown intensified its control over key environmental contexts to bolster imperial ambitions, marking a transformative period in resource exploitation. This study identifies four critical sites—mercury mining at Almadén, northern coastal woodlands, the Tajo River navigation, and the Royal Stables of Córdoba—as focal points for royal intervention. Through these environments, the crown asserted unprecedented authority, leveraging natural resources to address imperial crises while reshaping human-nature relationships. The research employs a comparative analysis of crown involvement, mechanisms of royal authority, and ecological impacts, revealing how centralized control over diverse landscapes facilitated Spain's early modern expansion.
Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis
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A novel approach to understanding the material transformations of cultural heritage reveals how a tomb in Thebes' Necropolis evolves from its initial construction into a site of heritage significance. By tracing the biographical journey of Tomb TT 93 through archaeological and archaeometric methods, this research uncovers distinct material imprints left by heritage-making processes, contrasting them with earlier stages of use and memory. This symmetrical analysis of material traces—from oblivion to heritage—highlights the tomb's layered history, offering a unique perspective on how cultural narratives are embedded in the physical fabric of ancient sites.
Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro
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2025 —
WHE69FF9057FC
Mohenjo-Daro, an ancient Indus Valley Civilization urban center, exemplifies advanced urban planning and foresight through its orthogonal grid system and monumental granaries. These structures, characterized by standardized brick sizes, elaborate drainage systems, and strategically located public buildings like the Great Bath, suggest a deliberate long-term vision for societal resilience, resource management, and communal living. The study posits that these material structures are active embodiments of collective foresight, enabling sustained prosperity and stability while encoding strategies for anticipating future challenges such as food security and public health. By examining the functional and symbolic dimensions of the grid and granaries, this research offers profound insights into pre-modern governance and environmental adaptation.
Antequera Dolmens Site
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2025 —
WHE42BEEB6885
Geological provenance analysis reveals that menhirs at the Antequera Dolmens Site, Spain, were strategically sourced from specific outcrops, suggesting their role as navigational markers and cultural references in cattle-raising territories. The study combines archaeological field surveys, oral tradition testimonies, GIS mapping, geophysical prospection, photogrammetry, and RTI techniques to identify engravings and paintings on landmarks. This interdisciplinary approach provides the first detailed geological data for menhirs in the region, offering new insights into their historical significance and functionality beyond mere monumentality.
