World Heritage Research: Browse Publications: Page 65

The role of paradiplomacy for cultural heritage preservation: The cosmological axis of yogyakarta

The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks — 2025 — WHEFC0D68DA87

Subnational paradiplomacy can effectively secure global recognition for cultural heritage while maintaining local sovereignty, as demonstrated by the successful UNESCO inscription of Yogyakarta's Cosmological Axis. This study reveals how the Yogyakarta provincial government and cultural institutions leveraged international networks, legal frameworks, and strategic negotiations to translate Javanese cosmology into a globally legible heritage framework—despite lacking formal diplomatic authority. Using qualitative methods such as field observations and in-depth interviews, researchers analyzed how these subnational actors aligned local planning with UNESCO criteria, introducing multi-layered governance dynamics. The findings highlight the agency and constraints of paradiplomacy, including its mixed impacts on governance structures, spatial planning, and community benefits, advancing debates on cultural heritage preservation in the Global South.

The Role of Participatory Tourism in Managing Abu Mena Archaeological Site in Mariout (Community Protection of Heritage): An Analytical Field Study

Abu Mena — 2025 — WHE27DDD6728F

Participatory tourism emerges as a successful strategy for the conservation and management of Abu Mena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was previously listed as 'in danger' due to administrative and environmental challenges. This study demonstrates how active involvement of local communities, authorities, and tourists can restore the site's significance while balancing development needs with cultural preservation. By employing creative and practical approaches, participatory tourism fosters reciprocal benefits, enhancing sustainability and global recognition. The research highlights its potential as a model for other heritage sites facing similar threats.

The Role of Psychological-Physical-Physiological Factors in Decision-Making Behavior in Disasters: Insights from an Experimental Study in Gulangyu

Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement — 2025 — WHE85909D0A61

A novel quantitative approach reveals that the proportion of sky elements and interactions among plant-building, building-sky, building-other, sky-sign, and sky-road elements significantly influence risk decision-making behavior (RDMB) in disaster scenarios. Video-based simulations effectively immerse participants, while eye-tracking technology demonstrates that buildings and signs attract the most visual attention, increasing environmental complexity. This study highlights the impact of streetscape features on RDMB, offering a human-centered perspective to enhance resilience and emergency response strategies in heritage tourism destinations like Gulangyu.

The role of social mechanisms in local ecological knowledge ( LEK ) for biodiversity conservation in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Simien National Park — 2025 — WHEB9996437B0

Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, has been pivotal in biodiversity conservation, with its effectiveness demonstrated by the park's removal from UNESCO's endangered sites list in 1996. This study reveals that local taboos and worldviews, embedded within LEK, facilitate sustainable conservation practices despite the imposition of Western-oriented strategies by international agencies. The research, conducted through qualitative methods including in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, highlights the need for integrating LEK-based approaches into park management to ensure long-term sustainability and avoid conflicts. By leveraging local social mechanisms, this study underscores a successful model for biodiversity conservation that harmonizes traditional practices with modern conservation ethics.

The Role of Stone Materials, Environmental Factors, and Management Practices in Vascular Plant-Induced Deterioration: Case Studies from Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, and Velia Archaeological Parks (Italy)

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula — 2025 — WHE07DAA43C30

Vascular plant-induced biodeterioration significantly varies across Italian archaeological sites, with substrate type playing a crucial role in determining the hazard index (HI) while exposure has minimal impact. The study identified 117 species across Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, and Velia, revealing distinct ecological patterns: Pompeii's urban setting fosters cosmopolitan and widely distributed taxa due to high anthropogenic disturbance, whereas Paestum and Herculaneum exhibit dominance of Mediterranean species under more stable conditions. These findings underscore the need for site-specific conservation strategies that account for substrate properties, vegetation impact, and human activity to mitigate biodeterioration risks effectively.

The role of the community in the development of tourism in Azerbaijan: the example of Sheki and Zagatala regions

Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace — 2025 — WHE6EA640CC70

Local communities play a pivotal role in shaping tourism development, significantly influencing its growth and sustainability. A study focusing on Azerbaijan's Sheki and Zagatala regions revealed that the engagement of local populations—through services like rural guesthouses—directly impacts tourist experiences and regional tourism prospects. While Sheki, closer to the capital, benefits from higher tourist numbers, Zagatala, with its natural beauty, faces challenges in leveraging its potential. The research, involving 21 community representatives, identified key issues in hospitality services and proposed solutions to enhance quality. Comparatively analyzing community attitudes and expectations in both regions, the study underscores the importance of stakeholder collaboration—including local entrepreneurs, governments, and residents—in fostering sustainable tourism development.

The Roman Water Management of Arles as Read in Aqueduct Carbonate Archives

Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments — 2025 — WHE751B6B7EA6

Anthropogenic carbonate deposits within the Roman aqueduct of Arles reveal a dynamic history of water management, including changes in water source provenance and structural modifications. The study identifies that the aqueduct initially relied on water from the Caparon tributary, which was later diverted to power mills at Barbegal. Subsequently, the Eygalières branch became the primary water source, transforming the basin into a distribution structure. Stable isotope analysis of carbonate incrustations also indicates a significant cleaning effort in the early fourth century. This research demonstrates that carbonate archives can provide critical insights into the evolution and functionality of ancient aqueduct systems.

The Sacred Theater in Goguryeo Tomb Murals: Myth, Belief, and the Pictorial Performance of Political Authority

Complex of Koguryo Tombs — 2025 — WHEC3078DD113

Goguryeo tomb murals, particularly those in Tomb No. 4 of the Wukui complex, function as a 'sacred theater' that visually legitimized royal authority through mythological and symbolic reconfigurations. The study reveals how these murals adapted Central Plains sun-deity worship with Goguryeo's ancestral mythology, using imagery like the sun-centered Three-Legged Crow to reinforce sacred lineage. Over time, mural themes evolved from 4th-century scenes of wrestling and banqueting—symbolizing ethnic identity and tribal alliances—to 5th-century depictions of hunting, processions, and Buddhist rituals, reflecting the rise of a centralized bureaucratic system. Through mechanisms like symbolic reconfiguration, spatial narrative, and sensory manipulation, the murals constructed a closed value system linking worldly authority to posthumous order, serving as material testimony to the covenant between humans and deities.

The Seismic Background Noise Monitoring and Intelligent Prediction of the Cave Temple Cultural Heritage—A Case Study of Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes — 2025 — WHEA6D594C270

A high-precision seismic prediction model for cave temples achieves a remarkable fit of 0.99 for environmental vibrations, offering critical technical support for the monitoring and preventive conservation of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Yungang Grottoes. The TLSA-SO prediction network model, validated using data from Datong's Yungang Grottoes, provides fundamental data to assess seismic risks, develop resistance standards, and create emergency response plans. This study addresses urgent practical and academic needs by addressing the lack of comprehensive cave-earthquake-monitoring systems, which leave such fragile structures vulnerable to irreversible damage.

The shape of (Point) Clouds

Aachen Cathedral — 2025 — WHECCCB3A018F

Point clouds generated by 3D capturing technologies such as Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Structure from Motion (SfM) represent a paradigm shift in the surveying of built heritage, moving beyond traditional subjective interpretations to a more objective yet still cognitive process. Research on sites like Aachen Cathedral reveals that while data acquisition aligns with scientific rigor, interpretation remains an authorial act. Digital infrastructures and HBIM frameworks enable new readings of historical architecture, positioning point clouds as both autonomous sources and representational forms that preserve spatial and material memory. This study underscores the epistemic significance of point clouds as a digital palimpsest where knowledge and interpretation converge.

The Short-Term Rentals and Gentrification: The Case of Beyoğlu, Istanbul

Historic Areas of Istanbul — 2025 — WHE5A6F0D4FE5

Short-term rentals (STRs), particularly those facilitated by Airbnb, significantly intensify gentrification in historic urban areas. A study focusing on Beyoğlu, Istanbul, reveals that STRs drive up property values and contribute to the 'Airbnbification' of housing, particularly in Galata, reducing long-term rental options and displacing local residents. This phenomenon is exacerbated by weak or non-existent regulations, allowing STR platforms to reshape housing markets without conventional constraints. The research employed a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative data from Airbnb listings with qualitative insights from stakeholder interviews. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy interventions to balance housing affordability, historical preservation, and social equity in gentrifying districts.

The Sigiriya Murals of Sri Lanka: A Comprehensive Art Historical Analysis

Ancient City of Sigiriya — 2025 — WHE63B8D49EC8

The Sigiriya murals, dating back to the 5th century CE, showcase advanced fresco painting techniques and artistic innovation in ancient Sri Lanka. A comprehensive analysis reveals that these murals, particularly those depicting celestial maidens, blend South Asian artistic influences with indigenous creativity. The study employs interdisciplinary methods—art historical, archaeological, and anthropological—to examine stylistic attributes, thematic content, and socio-political contexts, while also scrutinizing the materials, pigments, and techniques used. This research underscores the sophistication of ancient Sri Lankan artistry and its unique contributions to global rock art traditions.

The Social Dimension in Managing Archaeological World Heritage Sites in Talayotic Menorca (Balearic Islands, Spain)

Talayotic Menorca — 2025 — WHE3DE564D306

A new approach to heritage management for Talayotic Menorca, recently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlights the critical role of social dimensions and public perception in shaping conservation strategies. The study focuses on two emblematic sites—Naveta des Tudons and Torre d’en Galmés—revealing how stakeholder engagement can enhance sustainability and inclusivity in heritage governance. By analyzing local perceptions and experiences, researchers demonstrate that integrating social sustainability criteria into management plans can better align with cultural, environmental, and tourism-related policies. This work provides a framework for more participatory models of heritage conservation, offering practical insights for balancing preservation with community needs.

The social impacts of protected areas on local communities

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area — 2025 — WHEC48E3EA718

Governance structures in protected areas significantly influence social impacts on local communities, shaping land use policies, economic opportunities, and power dynamics. A study of the Wulingyuan World Heritage Site and the Giant Panda National Park reveals that while tourism-driven economic growth is promoted, it often fails to improve community well-being due to inequitable benefit-sharing or restrictive management policies. Local concerns about fairness, empowerment, and livelihoods persist, particularly with strict housing regulations and land acquisition actions. Additionally, the loss of cultural identity and intergenerational knowledge transfer in communities surrounding these areas has been overlooked, further complicating conservation efforts. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating policy analysis, surveys, and interviews, to highlight the need for fair and inclusive governance, effective community participation, and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms to balance ecological conservation with community well-being.

The Solovetsky Islands are a subpolar Klondike for botanists

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2025 — WHE3187DCA121

Research on the Solovetsky Islands, conducted over seven field seasons, has expanded the known flora of the subpolar archipelago by nine species and identified new locations for three rare plants listed in the Arkhangelsk Region's Red Data Book. The study highlights the islands' unique botanical diversity, positioning them as a significant 'Klondike' for botanists. It also provides historical context on the development of plant nurseries, including the Gorka Botanical Garden, and argues for reclassifying the Solovetsky Archipelago from a complex nature reserve to a national park. This shift would better support regional tourism while preserving its distinct natural complexes.

The spirit of St Cuthbert and the spirit of place: Durham Cathedral in Benjamin Myers's Cuddy

Durham Castle and Cathedral — 2025 — WHE66A5DB38E7

Benjamin Myers's novel Cuddy explores the enduring influence of St. Cuthbert, a revered Anglo-Saxon saint, on Durham Cathedral and its surroundings, illustrating how his legacy shapes both the material and immaterial heritage of the site. The narrative, spanning from the Middle Ages to the present, employs diverse voices and styles to highlight Cuthbert's dual role as a genuine and metaphorical 'spirit of place.' This concept, rooted in ancient Roman beliefs, blends geographical and human contributions to define a location's unique identity. The study argues that Myers's work preserves traces of supernatural meaning while secularizing the ancient notion, emphasizing the interdependence between tangible structures like the cathedral and intangible cultural elements tied to Cuthbert's legacy.

The Spiritual Value of Tasmanian Wilderness

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2025 — WHEDF5CA54727

A significant majority of Australian hikers, including those who are nonreligious, perceive the Tasmanian Wilderness as having profound spiritual value. This finding emerges from a survey of 1,101 participants, where 76% overall and 72% of nonreligious individuals agreed or strongly agreed with this sentiment. The study employs a 'meaning systems' approach to explore how immersion in nature fulfills existential functions typically associated with religion, revealing that hikers experience spiritual value through subjective wellbeing, a sense of belonging, and orientation in a meaningful cosmos—often describing nature as a powerful 'other.' While spiritual experiences are frequently framed as transcendent, this research highlights a more grounded, place-based spirituality. The study underscores the enduring relevance of spirituality in secular societies, even beyond organized religion.

The Stone-cutting Tradition of Saryarka and the Cultural Continuity of Stone Sculptures

Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan — 2025 — WHE1D9AC02C06

A detailed analysis of Early Iron Age stone sculptures from the Saryarka region reveals a continuous artistic tradition spanning from the Late Bronze Age to the Kipchak period. Radiocarbon and typological studies date these sculptures, characterized by simplicity and symbolic precision—such as the 'topknot' (aidar)—to the 8th–5th centuries BCE. Two main groups were identified: those linked to funerary monuments and those used in rituals, highlighting their multifaceted cultural significance. This research underscores stone carving as an indigenous cultural trend within the Tasmola horizon, reflecting early societal structures, religious beliefs, and artistic ideals.

The Story Beneath the Canopy: an Airborne Lidar Survey Over Angkor, Phnom Kulen and Koh Ker, Northwestern Cambodia

Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar — 2025 — WHEE673E98C7C

An airborne lidar survey over Angkor, Phnom Kulen, and Koh Ker in northwestern Cambodia has revealed that Angkor is likely the largest pre-industrial low-density urban complex ever documented. This groundbreaking discovery was made possible by advanced laser scanning technology, which penetrated dense vegetation to uncover hidden archaeological structures obscured from conventional remote sensing methods. The survey, conducted as part of the Greater Angkor Project, not only sheds new light on the extent and layout of Angkor but also sets a precedent for studying similar low-density urban environments in tropical forests worldwide.

The Structure and Operation of the Tourism Management of the UNESCO World Heritage Tokaj Wine Region in Hungary, with a Particular Focus on Wine and Health

Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHEE810EDC123

The Tokaj Wine Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, demonstrates innovative tourism management that effectively integrates wine culture and health, setting a benchmark for sustainable development. This study highlights how the region's tourism infrastructure—encompassing attractions, restaurants, accommodation, and advanced management systems—operates under strategic coordination by a destination management organization and labor union. The research employs literature review and in-depth interviews to analyze both domestic and international best practices, revealing that the implementation of programs like 'Essencia főtér' has elevated Tokaj into a new dimension of tourism excellence. This model emphasizes innovative, health-focused tourism while addressing operative and strategic elements, offering valuable insights for other heritage sites.

The Structure of the Muslim Town and Town Planning

Caliphate City of Medina Azahara — 2025 — WHE6B9A1C7676

A comprehensive analysis reveals that Muslim towns, particularly those in Morocco and al-Andalus, were often planned settlements with structured layouts, challenging the notion of their being entirely unplanned. The study focuses on newly established towns such as Sijilmasa, Madinat al-Zahra (Medina Azahara), Madinat al Fath, Rabat, and Fez Jedid, providing detailed insights into their urban planning and architectural organization. By examining Jewish neighborhoods and other planned settlements, the research highlights the deliberate design principles that shaped Muslim towns, offering a nuanced understanding of their spatial development.

The Study on Iron-plate Ritual Utensil with Bird Decorations in Haman region

Gaya Tumuli — 2025 — WHE10A6095203

Ara Gaya's Iron-plate ritual utensils with bird decorations, distinct from broader Yeongnam region variants, served as prestigious grave goods marking elite status. These artifacts, found exclusively in Haman's Marisan Mountain cluster tombs, emerged in the 5th century and vanished by mid-6th century, paralleling the rise and fall of monumental tomb culture. Analysis reveals their symbolic significance, likely tied to funerary rituals or shamanism, with iron-plates serving as raw material. The study reclassifies these artifacts, clarifying their origins, functions, and cultural importance within Ara Gaya's socio-religious framework.

The sustainablility of traditional Chinese villages: a perspective from the production of space

Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun — 2025 — WHEF010911473

Traditional Chinese villages, such as Hongcun and Xidi, exhibit sustainability through the preservation of social bonds and spiritual culture, not just physical spaces. A study applying Henri Lefebvre’s theory of the production of space identified six key sustainable characteristics across four villages in diverse regions—Hongcun (Anhui), Yazhe Zaozu (Sichuan), Tianluokeng (Fujian), and Dingcun (Shanxi). These include distinct local traits, rich narratives, collective practices, resilience, cultural symbolism, and interconnectivity. The research highlights how these villages resist urbanization and commodification while offering theoretical insights for conservation strategies.

The Sydney Opera House – a modern heritage site’s response to climate change

Sydney Opera House — 2025 — WHE7067495438

Over the past three decades, the Sydney Opera House has successfully integrated climate action into its heritage management without compromising its tangible or intangible values. This study demonstrates that sustainable practices—such as governance-driven climate initiatives, community engagement through creative programming, and participatory risk planning—can both mitigate climate risks and enhance a site's cultural significance. By setting and achieving environmental benchmarks while respecting heritage constraints, the Opera House serves as a model for balancing conservation with modern sustainability challenges.

The synergy between Empodisma minus and microbial enzymes in carbon storage and nutrient turnover in the peatlands of K’gari (Fraser Island), Australia

K’gari (Fraser Island) — 2025 — WHE5825AC18CB

Moderate fire disturbances and the presence of Empodisma minus enhance microbial enzyme activity, nutrient turnover, and carbon sequestration in K’gari’s peatlands. A study across three sites—Moon Point (high E. minus cover), Dilli Swamp (moderate cover with planned 'cool burns'), and Sandy Peat (low cover)—revealed that Dilli Swamp exhibited the highest microbial activity and nutrient availability, while intense wildfires at Moon Point reduced these processes despite higher E. minus dominance. Microbial enzyme activities correlated strongly with moisture content and redox potential, highlighting their pivotal role in peatland resilience. Conservation efforts should prioritize fire management to prevent intense disturbances, ensuring the dominance of E. minus and maintaining carbon storage capacity.

The systemisation of classical topomythopoiesis in seventeenth-century France

Palace and Park of Versailles — 2025 — WHE814C597F58

Seventeenth-century France witnessed the systematization of classical topomythopoiesis, where Italian Renaissance garden influences were integrated into aristocratic landscapes under Louis XIV's reign. The Palace and Park of Versailles exemplify this transformation, blending elaborate waterworks and horticulture with mythological iconography created by a collective of artists and writers. Initially, visitor reception relied on familiarity with Greco-Roman mythology, but as the gardens became more accessible, guidebooks standardized experiences through scripted interpretations. This study reveals how classical topomythopoiesis oscillated between imaginative engagement and analytic interpretation, reflecting an era of both wonderment and rationalization. It also highlights its dissemination through influential treatises like Dézallier d’ Argenville’s La theorie et la pratique du jardinage, marking a shift toward structured mythological representation in designed landscapes.

The Tomb of Dedi, Superior of Inspector Merer (Pap. Jarf D) (?)and Two Other New Discovered Old Kingdom Tombs at Giza

Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur — 2025 — WHE7B745D59F2

A rare link between ancient Egyptian written records and burial sites has been uncovered with the discovery of three previously unknown mastabas at Giza's Western Field, part of Khufu’s pyramid complex. The tomb of Dedi (GM 1727) stands out for its potential identification with a scribe mentioned in the Wadi el-Jarf papyri, who played a crucial role in transporting limestone blocks for the Great Pyramid. This makes Dedi the first known scribe in Egyptian history whose both written work and burial site have been identified, offering unprecedented insights into Old Kingdom administration and labor organization. The study employs archaeological analysis of tomb inscriptions and papyrus records to establish this connection.

The Traditional Typography of Évora's Memory Printers

Historic Centre of Évora — 2025 — WHEDAF612240D

Évora's typographic heritage, once home to 33 printing workshops, is being preserved through the 'Typographic Diary of Évora - 1840-2020' project. This initiative documents the daily life and work of local printers, capturing oral histories from various professionals in the field. The research spans three phases: active workshops in the historic center, those relocated to city outskirts, and closed companies. Initial findings reveal a rich tapestry of typographic traditions, with the project culminating in the publication 'Évora’s Memory Printers' and the establishment of a Traditional Typography Workshop at Remédios Convent. Collaborations with local institutions in 2023-2024 further enriched the educational value of this heritage, using tools like 'Loose Characters' to engage diverse audiences.

The Transition From Jointing to Faulting Observed at the Koa'e Fault Zone, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — 2025 — WHEDA405283ED

A study at the Koa'e Fault Zone in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park reveals that faults form through the downward propagation of joints, transitioning to faulting at depth and creating monoclinal flexures. This challenges previous assumptions about fracture evolution. Researchers analyzed displacement-to-length (Dmax/L) scaling relationships for mixed-mode fractures—combining opening and shearing—using field measurements. Unlike widely observed square root scaling for opening-mode fractures, joint apertures here scale linearly with length, indicating a distinct mechanical behavior in this volcanic setting.

The Trichoptera of Panama XXVIII. Nine new species of microcaddisflies (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae)

Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection — 2025 — WHE67EFFBA12B

Researchers have identified nine new species of microcaddisflies (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) from the Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection in Panama. These discoveries, including Oxyethira jaramillosp. nov., Neotrichia afuerasp. nov., and seven others, bring the total number of caddisfly species known in Panama to 544, spanning 15 families and 56 genera. The new species were predominantly collected on the Soná Peninsula or offshore islands within the park, expanding the region's biodiversity record. This study contributes to the broader documentation of Trichoptera diversity in Panama, with implications for understanding aquatic ecosystems and conservation priorities.

The unique Balearic Megalithic “Taulas” (Tables): Paleolithic/Neolithic pre- Iberian lineal scripts found in the Taula complex of So Na Caçana (Menorca Island, Spain)

Talayotic Menorca — 2025 — WHED21BFBC404

Researchers have uncovered Paleolithic/Neolithic lineal scripts within the Taula complex of So Na Caçana, Menorca, challenging the long-held assumption that these unique Balearic Megalithic monuments date only to the 1st millennium BC. The discovery suggests a deeper connection between these scripts and ancient writing systems across the Mediterranean, including potential precursors to the Iberian-Tartessian signary. The study proposes that the Mother Goddess religion may have preserved these scripts for millennia, while also linking them to linguistic and genetic traits stemming from a 'green' Sahara migration during desertification around 10,000 years BC. So Na Caçana, meaning 'The property of the She-Hunter,' further contextualizes the cultural significance of these findings.

The Use of Blue in the Ajanta Paintings

Ajanta Caves — 2025 — WHEA393391E85

The use of lapis lazuli, a rare and expensive blue pigment, emerged distinctly in the Ajanta Caves' wall paintings by the 5th century CE. Initially absent in 1st-century BCE artworks, its application varied significantly: sparse in central caves (XVI and XVII) but more abundant in peripheral ones (I, II, and XXVI). This shift is linked to historical factors such as trade routes and political changes, offering insights into the cultural and economic dynamics of ancient India. The study analyzed pigment distribution and contextualized it within broader historical narratives.

The use of trekking poles and trail degradation in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal Himalaya

Sagarmatha National Park — 2025 — WHE05E4B0830A

A significant portion of trekkers in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal, relies on uncapped metal-tipped poles, which accelerate trail erosion by creating small holes on bare surfaces. The study found that 53.6% of visitors used trekking poles, with 59.2% opting for uncapped ones, exacerbating soil loss during the monsoon season when trails are most vulnerable. To quantify this impact, researchers employed smartphone-based 3D scanning, a novel approach to assess trail degradation. The findings highlight an urgent need for better trail management, advocating for capped poles and sustainable practices to balance increased foot traffic with ecological preservation in mountain national parks.

The use of ultrasonics in the frequency range of 50MHz up to 175 MHz for cultural heritage objects’ 3D μtomography

Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern name Vergina) — 2025 — WHE37DB5F8665

High-frequency ultrasonics (50–175 MHz) enables non-destructive 3D μtomography of fragile cultural heritage objects, revealing internal structures without sampling. This approach provides critical data for conservation efforts at the Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern Vergina), particularly for the tomb of King Philip II. The method leverages advanced imaging to document intricate details, addressing the limitations posed by the fragility and value of artifacts. By avoiding destructive procedures, it offers a precise alternative for studying internal features, advancing both preservation strategies and our understanding of ancient craftsmanship.

The Vanishing Heritage of Agra, India the Sale of the Taj Mahal

Agra Fort — 2025 — WHE718C24C777

British colonial rule systematically erased Mughal architectural heritage in Agra between 1803 and 1858, contrasting sharply with conservation efforts in Delhi. Key monuments—including the Taj Mahal, Akbar’s tomb, and structures within Agra Fort—were auctioned, repurposed, or demolished, reflecting a deliberate policy to sever cultural ties and assert dominance. This study reveals how such destruction disrupted national identity, underscoring the urgent need for preserving Indo-Muslim heritage. The research combines historical analysis with archival evidence to document these losses.

The Venice and its Lagoon UNESCO site (Italy): Cultural Heritage and Climate Change

Venice and its Lagoon — 2025 — WHE51AF3C0624

Climate change poses significant risks to Venice's UNESCO-listed cultural heritage, with gradual shifts in temperature, precipitation, and humidity, as well as extreme events like floods and droughts, threatening the integrity of monumental structures. Research integrating studies from Iuav University of Venice, CORILA Venezia2021, and the Venice Climate Change Adaptation Plan identified critical vulnerabilities across macro morphological categories, including potential impacts from the MOSE flood barrier system. Analytical campaigns involving multiple laboratories developed targeted mitigation strategies to enhance resilience while ensuring material and formal compatibility with historic lagoon architecture. These actions aim to balance effectiveness with preservation, safeguarding Venice's unique cultural landscape against climate-induced damage.

The Visible and Invisible Workings of Cahokia

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2025 — WHEADB83FE00D

Cahokia, the largest pre-Columbian urban center north of Mexico, was shaped by intentional engagements with its landscape—wetlands, swamps, and karst features—that were previously overlooked or misunderstood. By integrating indigenous perspectives with archaeological data, this study reveals that Cahokia’s people strategically altered their environment to draw power from specific landscape elements, embedding them within community identity and urban development. Findings at the Emerald Acropolis Shrine and other precincts underscore how locality, water, and underworld connections were central to Cahokian society, challenging traditional archaeological interpretations and highlighting the agency of non-human actors in indigenous conceptualizations.

The Water Management System of Augsburg: UNESCO World Heritage Property, Global Practice Example and Role Model

Water Management System of Augsburg — 2025 — WHEDA61BB1EA4

Augsburg's Water Management System stands as a global model for sustainable water resource management over 800 years. Its innovative solutions and resilience to climate challenges are underpinned by the 2019 management plan and augmented by Augsburg's 2022 Climate Adaptation Plan, which prioritizes 'water' as a key action field. The system's adaptability is further demonstrated through its integration into three EU projects: Licca Liber, LIFE, and Contempo2, aimed at restoring the Lech River and its floodplain habitats. This interplay of historical ingenuity and modern adaptation offers a blueprint for urban resilience and sustainable development worldwide.

The Weimar-Jena Axis: Aesthetic Foundations of German Modernity

Classical Weimar — 2025 — WHE8CFB278CF9

The Weimar-Jena Axis, spanning the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, emerged as a pivotal period in German intellectual and cultural history. This era witnessed a synergistic fusion of Weimar Classicism—centered on aesthetic education and harmonious individual development—and Jena Romanticism, which emphasized art's role in philosophical truth and infinite expression through fragments. Together, these movements laid the aesthetic foundations for German modernity, reshaping philosophy, literature, and national identity. The study reveals how their interplay addressed Enlightenment rationalism and societal fragmentation, bequeathing a dialectical heritage that continues to define German culture.

The Wetland Contract as a Governance Tool to Manage Conflicts in the Venetian Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon — 2025 — WHEB28EE66F02

A novel governance approach, the Wetland Contract for the Northern Lagoon of Venice, demonstrates potential as a tool to reconcile competing priorities of socioeconomic development and biodiversity conservation. This participatory initiative brings together diverse stakeholders to commit to coordinated management, restoration, and protection of wetlands, addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change in this vulnerable UNESCO World Heritage Site. The contract serves as a living laboratory for testing innovative strategies that balance human needs with ecological preservation.

The Yugoslav Peoples Before 1918

Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian — 2025 — WHE24A8C24A71

A historical analysis reveals that the division of the Roman Empire in AD 285, initiated by Emperor Diocletian, established a lasting cultural and religious boundary in the Balkan peninsula. This boundary, running from the Adriatic coast to the confluence of the Drina and Sava rivers, separated regions that later adopted Eastern Orthodox Christianity (Cyrillic alphabet) from those adhering to Roman Catholicism (Latin alphabet). The study traces this divide's enduring influence on the Yugoslav peoples, despite subsequent historical changes like Ottoman occupation. It highlights how Diocletian's legacy, including his palace in Split, shaped the cultural landscape of the region, offering insights into modern differences between Western (Slovenes and Croats) and Eastern (Serbs and Macedonians) Yugoslav groups.

Thebes versus Hattusha: two different ways of understanding time at the end of the Bronze Age

Hattusha: the Hittite Capital — 2025 — WHE0936289A4B

At the end of the Bronze Age, two ancient civilizations—the Hittite Empire centered at Hattusha and the Ramesside monarchy of Egypt—employed distinct time-keeping systems that reflected their climatic and sociological contexts. While Egypt's civil calendar aligned with seasonal rhythms after centuries of adaptation, evidence suggests the Hittites used a lunar-based system with potential intercalary months to synchronize with seasons, though its exact pattern remains unclear. This study contrasts these calendars, proposing that the Hittite system may have collapsed with the abandonment of Hattusha in the early 12th century BC, whereas Egypt's endured, evolving into the Julian and Gregorian calendars. The research synthesizes scarce Hittite data alongside Egyptian sources to highlight divergent approaches to time, offering insights into their cultural and environmental influences.

Thematic analysis and characterisation to support climate vulnerability assessments of cultural World Heritage

Red Fort Complex — 2025 — WHE5F0D5302C8

A novel thematic analysis framework has been developed to systematically group UNESCO World Heritage Sites by their cultural values, enabling more efficient climate vulnerability assessments. This approach, demonstrated using 49 sites across South Asia—including globally recognized ones like the Red Fort Complex and Taj Mahal—identifies eight standardized thematic groups and 71 region-specific sub-themes, validated against international heritage categories. The framework accelerates risk evaluation by grouping properties with similar characteristics, threats, or geographic co-location, offering practical management strategies for policy and site conservation. Beyond climate adaptation, it provides a transferable tool for broader heritage management applications.

Thermography Applied to Old Masonry Constructions

Tower of Hercules — 2025 — WHEFB4B8EDFE0

Infrared thermography emerges as a powerful, non-invasive tool for diagnosing structural pathologies in historical masonry, offering critical insights into material deterioration without physical contact. This study demonstrates its effectiveness in identifying hidden elements, moisture infiltration, and thermal bridges—key factors in the degradation of cultural heritage sites like the Tower of Hercules. By combining terrestrial and aerial thermography, including drone-mounted cameras, researchers captured hard-to-reach areas with high accuracy. The findings underscore the importance of optimizing camera parameters and environmental conditions to enhance measurement precision, ultimately contributing to preventive conservation strategies for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Threats and Opportunities for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use in the Buffer Zones of National Parks in the Brazilian Cerrado

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2025 — WHEE052D149B1

Eleven of the 15 buffer zones surrounding national parks in Brazil's Cerrado biome are identified as high to very high priority for conservation actions, with the Serra da Bodoquena, Emas, Canastra, and Brasília parks ranking highest. The study, using multicriteria analysis methods like the analytic hierarchy process and weighted linear combination, highlights severe ecological connectivity losses (up to 44.5%) in buffer zones such as Grande Sertão Veredas, Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba, and Serra das Confusões between 2012 and 2020. The research emphasizes the need for targeted conservation efforts in the northern Cerrado, where natural vegetation remains relatively intact, while promoting sustainable land use practices in the more densely occupied southern regions.

Three Graves in Red Square, Moscow

Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow — 2025 — WHE3FD4BD5138

A rare glimpse into the gender dynamics of early Soviet Russia emerges from an analysis of three women buried in Red Square's necropolis between 1917 and 1924, contrasting them with a woman who was not. This study reveals how these ten women—out of over five hundred interred—were uniquely honored, challenging traditional stereotypes about women's roles in post-revolutionary society. By examining funeral practices through a gendered lens, the research fills a significant gap in historical studies, which have largely overlooked or marginalized female perspectives. The approach combines biographical analysis with comparative case study methods, offering new insights into the intersection of politics, gender, and memory in the formative years of Soviet Russia.

Three million ringed birds on the Curonian Spit (Baltic area) and ten thousand results on their migration routes: a brief overview, statistics and examples

Curonian Spit — 2025 — WHEFC0EFEA5DB

Over six decades of bird ringing on the Curonian Spit, spanning from 1956 to 2020, has yielded unprecedented data, with 3.2 million birds from 202 species ringed and over 10,000 reports of distant recoveries for 99 species. This extensive dataset provides critical insights into migration routes along the White Sea-Baltic flyway, revealing patterns in migratory connectivity, population dynamics, and demographic trends. Despite its significance, this research was notably excluded from the Eurasian-African Bird Migration Atlas due to non-scientific reasons. The study highlights the effectiveness of ringing as a tool for tracking long-distance migrants while also addressing challenges such as declining recovery rates. It underscores the importance of long-term monitoring in understanding migratory behavior and population changes.

Three new species of Pleurothallis (Orchidaceae) from Costa Rica and Panama, with a note on asexual reproduction by prolification in Pleurothallidinae

Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park — 2025 — WHED00E040DB3

Researchers have identified three new species of Pleurothallis orchids—P. matrisilvae, P. pridgeoniana, and P. winkeliana—from the Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves in Costa Rica and Panama, distinguished by their prolific vegetative growth and unique morphological traits. These species exhibit asexual reproduction through prolification, where new ramicauls develop from floral meristems, either constitutively or under stress conditions. P. matrisilvae resembles P. bothros but features thinner ramicauls, longer flower segments, and black flecks on reproductive structures. P. pridgeoniana, similar to P. vinealis, is characterized by smaller yellow flowers with rose-purple suffusion and a triangular-ovate lip without a central sulcus. P. winkeliana mirrors P. longipetala but differs in broader, cordate leaves and a pendent lip perpendicular to the column. The study highlights the diversity of Pleurothallidinae orchids in high-altitude, humid environments.

Three-Dimensional Digital Documentation for the Conservation of the Prambanan Temple Cluster Using Guided Multi-Sensor Techniques

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2025 — WHE15C61A1284

A novel approach combining architectural pattern design (APD) with multi-sensor techniques demonstrates high accuracy in 3D digital documentation of the Prambanan Temple cluster. The study achieved millimeter- to centimeter-range precision using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), aerial close-range and terrestrial-mode photogrammetry, and nadiral Lidar/photogrammetry. Point cloud data integration and validation confirmed the effectiveness of this method for complex heritage documentation. These findings provide a robust foundation for future structural vulnerability assessments and conservation strategies, addressing the site's instability due to its location near the Opak Fault and Mount Merapi.

Tidal Zonation Shapes Microbial Communities and Sediment Properties in a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Gomso Bay, Korea)

Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats — 2025 — WHE0F88949807

Tidal zonation significantly shapes microbial communities and sediment properties in Gomso Bay, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats. Research reveals distinct spatial variations along the intertidal gradient, with inner zones featuring finer sediments, higher organic carbon (TOC), acid volatile sulfide (AVS), and metal concentrations, while outer zones exhibit coarser sediments with lower values. Microbial composition varies, with aerobic organisms dominating high tidal flats and anaerobic taxa prevailing in low tidal flats. Chemolithotrophs thrive in the inner zone, whereas heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria are more abundant in the outer zone. The study used sediment sampling, chemical analysis, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to confirm that tidal exposure drives these ecological patterns, underscoring the complexity of intertidal ecosystems.