Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
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Research reveals that the soil foundations of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra's Dormition Cathedral are experiencing instability, primarily due to overmoistening. This has led to deformations in the cathedral's structural elements since 2016, particularly in its northeastern part and basement premises. Numerical analysis using PLAXIS software identified plastic deformation zones, indicating that these deformations are still in a stage of incomplete stabilization. The study suggests that urban activities, such as flooding of underground parts, are the main factors contributing to this instability. While the impact of blast waves is not ruled out, further vibration monitoring is required for confirmation. The research proposes improved protection management measures to mitigate these risks.
Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua
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A directional ritual pattern linked to the Maya calendar was uncovered in Quirigua, Guatemala, through analysis of 17 consecutive hotún (20-day periods) recorded between 731 and 810 AD. The study found that stelae F, D, E, C, A, and the Zoomorfo B align with specific orientations tied to deities G9 (east) and G7 (west), suggesting a structured ritual sequence. This pattern may also connect to lunar deity worship and patron gods of 20-day periods during K'ahk'-Tiliw-Chan-Yopaat's reign (725–785 AD) and his successors, offering new insights into Maya cosmological practices.
Manú National Park
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A tenuous trade relationship has emerged between the Mascho Piro, an isolated hunter-gatherer tribe in Peru's Manú National Park, and nearby villagers along the Madre de Dios River. Despite language barriers and societal differences, this interaction has led to sporadic violence, including a 2015 incident where a fifteen-year-old boy was killed. To mitigate tensions, Peruvian authorities deployed anthropologists to monitor both groups, aiming to maintain the status quo amid growing external threats such as drug trafficking, gold mining, and missionary activity. The documentary also highlights the tribe's vulnerability to diseases from outside contact, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through cinematic techniques, the film captures the environmental and social divisions symbolized by the river, offering insights into indigenous studies, Latin American anthropology, and the complexities of civilization.
Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai
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Prehistoric rock art in the Mongolian Altai, particularly depictions of the moose (Alces alces), provides unprecedented insights into the radical environmental transformations of the region over several thousand years. This study reveals that the presence of moose in petroglyphs from the Baga Oigor valley—dating back to the late Paleolithic through the Turkic Period—signals significant shifts in the Altai Mountains' ecosystem, influencing both faunal survival and cultural dynamics. By analyzing these images within their broader pictorial contexts, researchers reconstruct a world inhabited by ancient hunters and herders, offering a nuanced understanding of how environmental changes shaped human societies. This approach bridges gaps in our knowledge of this poorly documented region, shedding light on the interplay between ecology and culture.
Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape
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Gobustan's rock art, spanning from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages, reveals distinct stylistic developments tied to specific Stone Age periods. The study identifies four petroglyph styles, with Style 1 dating back to at least 25–24 thousand years ago (kya) in the first half of the Upper Palaeolithic. Style 2 aligns with Mesolithic sites, while Styles 3a and 3b are provisionally linked to Neolithic and Chalcolithic phases. The research systematizes petroglyphs by type, technique, and theme, offering a chronological framework for Gobustan's artistic evolution. This approach combines stylistic analysis with relative dating, providing insights into the cultural and temporal layers of one of the world's significant archaeological landscapes.
Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape
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A new analysis of the Ana Zaga rock shelter, the largest in Gobustan, reveals that its petroglyphs reflect significant shifts in human settlement and cultural themes tied to changes in the Caspian Sea's sea level. Using advanced 3D modeling with Agisoft and 3D Studio Max, researchers identified stylistic features from various periods and provided radiocarbon dating for cultural layers, defining chronological stages in rock art evolution. The study concludes that the shelter became a primary habitat during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic due to rising sea levels, while the Bronze Age saw settlement expand to lower terraces as the sea receded. This work also assesses the extinct fauna depicted in the petroglyphs, linking landscape changes to thematic shifts in rock art.
Archaeological Site of Philippi
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A groundbreaking study at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Philippi introduces a novel approach to analyzing rock-cut monuments, revealing their significant role within the city's religious landscape. By leveraging 3D modeling and spatial analysis, researchers have documented over 100 reliefs, predominantly featuring Artemis/Diana, providing unprecedented insights into their distribution, inter-visibility, and reachability. This method offers a more comprehensive understanding of the monuments' context and their potential for female ritual practices in ancient Macedon. The study also highlights the vulnerability of these archaeological sites to natural corrosion and vandalism, underscoring the importance of digital documentation for preservation and future research.
Serengeti National Park
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Rocky outcrops, or kopjes, in Serengeti National Park act as biodiversity hotspots for trees, significantly increasing tree abundance and species richness compared to the surrounding grass-dominated savannah. These unique ecosystems host distinct tree communities, particularly at sites with lower precipitation, where differences between kopje and matrix plots are most pronounced. Dominant tree species on kopjes exhibit functional traits such as evergreen foliage, higher specific leaf area, lower leaf nitrogen content, and reduced spine density, suggesting adaptations to locally moist conditions and lower fire frequencies. This study highlights the critical role of kopjes in shaping tree biodiversity, with potential implications for ecosystem functioning and higher trophic levels.
Pilgrimage Church of Wies
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Rococo art, often perceived as purely ornamental and artificial, is revealed to have deep engagement with naturalism and illusionism through its use of trompe l'oeil techniques. This study demonstrates that rococo aesthetics, exemplified in works by Fragonard, Liotard, and the Wieskirche church, challenge conventional perceptions by employing visual illusions not just to deceive but also to interrogate the role of the viewer in art. The analysis shows that rococo is a self-conscious meta-style, transcending mere decoration to explore the complexities of boundaries in artistic creation. By examining paintings, architecture, and ornamental prints, the research highlights how trompe l'oeil functions as both an artistic tool and a conceptual device, reshaping our understanding of rococo's relationship with nature and illusion.
Durham Castle and Cathedral
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Post-1066 Norman architecture in England and Wales drew heavily from Roman precedents, blending imperial symbolism with practical innovations. The study reveals a deliberate appropriation of Roman sites, architectural motifs like triumphal arches, and techniques such as marble use and chip carving to evoke monumentality. Normans applied Vitruvian principles, scaling up construction with an understanding of Roman engineering, evident in buildings like the White Tower (London), Durham Cathedral, and castles at Colchester and Castle Rising. The research highlights how this period bridged ancient Roman grandeur with medieval practicality, creating a distinct architectural iconography.
Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan
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A comprehensive catalogue of Roman decorative stones, one of the largest and most varied outside Europe, reveals new insights into architectural decoration and design from ancient Mediterranean sites. The collection, housed in the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology at the University of Michigan, includes 700 colorful stones dating to the Roman period, many sourced from renowned structures like the Baths of Diocletian in Rome and the Palace of Herod in Jericho. The study traces the formation, archaeology, and history of each stone, offering a detailed resource for Roman archaeology, antiquities, and decorative arts. Rich photographs and essays derived from original collector notes enhance the catalogue's accessibility and scholarly value.
Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia
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A comprehensive analysis of Roman urban landscapes across Caput Adriae, Noricum, and Pannoniae reveals the intricate development and integration of towns and settlements into broader imperial networks. The study, featuring contributions from 54 authors across eight countries, highlights how systematic geophysical surveys, combined with aerial photography, LiDAR imaging, surface surveys, and archaeological excavations, have uncovered extensive data on ancient urban structures—particularly in unbuilt areas. In densely developed regions, meticulous mapping of archaeological evidence has yielded rich insights over decades. The research underscores the significance of these settlements as a nexus between the eastern and western Roman Empire, bridging Mediterranean, Alpine, and Continental worlds, offering new perspectives on imperial urbanization.
Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula
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A detailed analysis of the Roman conquest of Campania reveals that the coastal strip of the Gulf of Salerno, including areas around Paestum and Velia, was densely populated with Greek and Etruscan towns that maintained their urban structures even after being conquered by the Lucanians or Samnites in the late fifth century BCE. These towns featured well-preserved defensive walls, residential zones, public spaces, and places of worship, providing significant insights into the urban planning and architectural practices of the region during this transitional period. The study employs a combination of archaeological evidence, historical records, and spatial analysis to reconstruct the urban landscape and its evolution under successive conquests.
Kronborg Castle
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A groundbreaking digital reconstruction of Kronborg Castle, Denmark's iconic Renaissance fortress and setting for Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' reveals unprecedented architectural details through advanced LiDAR scanning. The study utilized a 16-channel, 360-degree Velodyne VLP-16 LiDAR scanner paired with an Intel RealSense L515 depth camera to capture intricate structural nuances in high resolution. This dataset not only provides a comprehensive 3D model of the castle but also offers valuable resources for researchers studying Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) techniques and floorplan generation, bridging historical preservation with cutting-edge digital mapping technologies.
The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales
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This study reveals that the ruderal ecologies thriving in the abandoned Glyn Rhonwy slate quarry in Northwest Wales possess outstanding ecological, educational, and aesthetic value, challenging UNESCO's traditional nature/culture binary framework. By integrating landscape survey data with policy analysis, inspired by feminist posthumanism, it demonstrates that these 'weeds and waste' landscapes—often dismissed as insignificant—are critical biodiversity oases. The research argues for their recognition in global heritage policy, offering a new perspective on the value of post-industrial naturecultures.
Stone Town of Zanzibar
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Satellite remote sensing reveals that rural agricultural land played a pivotal role in the emergence of precolonial urbanism and remained significant as Zanzibar's Stone Town expanded during the Colonial era. This study demonstrates how high-resolution multitemporal satellite data can overcome challenges posed by rapid urbanization, which often obscures archaeological sites and limits traditional survey methods. By targeting undeveloped areas within urban interstices, researchers reconstructed settlement trajectories over the last millennium, offering new insights into African urban trajectories and heritage conservation in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Site of Palmyra
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Russian-led reconstruction efforts at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palmyra, Syria, serve as a tool for cultural diplomacy and political legitimization. While these efforts are often perceived primarily as propaganda aimed at foreign audiences, they also reflect Russia's domestic political goals, particularly under President Putin. The Kremlin uses heritage rehabilitation to promote its narrative of reasserting global power in a multipolar world order. This study, combining ethnographic and historical research on world heritage politics, highlights the dual nature of these efforts—both international propaganda and a means to bolster Russia’s geopolitical standing.
Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana
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Recent sediment analysis of S’Albufereta de Pollença, a 400-hectare wetland in Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana, reveals that the Holocene sediment fill—ranging from 3 to 5 meters thick—was primarily driven by alluvial inputs from torrents rather than significant marine transgression. The study suggests minimal subsidence and indicates that the paleotopography from the last glacial period was largely refilled during the Holocene transgression, which did not exceed one meter above current sea levels. Researchers employed mechanical coring and geomorphological mapping to characterize the wetland’s morphology and sedimentary sub-environments, providing insights into its recent geological evolution.
Yin Xu
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A groundbreaking analysis of human remains from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Yinxu reveals new insights into ancient sacrificial practices during the Shang Dynasty. The study, published in <em>Bulletins et Mémoires de La Société d’Anthropologie de Paris</em>, identifies key skeletal markers that distinguish sacrificed individuals from other funerary contexts, shedding light on ritualistic behaviors and social hierarchies of the time. Researchers employed advanced osteological techniques to examine bone morphology, trauma patterns, and isotopic signatures, providing a rigorous framework for interpreting sacrificial victims' identities and roles within ceremonial rites. This work challenges conventional assumptions about Shang-era burial practices and offers a more nuanced understanding of human sacrifice in East Asian archaeology.
Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California
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Island snakes, despite common perceptions, often exhibit high abundance and diversity, serving as powerful models for studying ecology and evolution. This volume explores how isolation and unique insular environments drive rapid adaptive changes in snake populations, including shifts in body size, reproductive biology, and trophic behavior. Key findings highlight the fragility of island ecosystems, with some species evolving to exploit marine-based food subsidies or adapt to extreme conditions, such as female snakes developing male sex organs due to inbreeding. The research synthesis combines biogeographic overviews and detailed population studies across regions like Borneo, New Guinea, the Gulf of California, and the Galapagos, leveraging genetic data to redefine snake phylogeny. Conservation challenges, including habitat destruction, climate change, and invasive species, are also addressed, emphasizing the need for citizen science and public engagement to protect these evolutionarily unique populations.
Paphos
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Salt-induced degradation poses a significant threat to coastal cultural heritage sites, particularly those in high-salinity environments. A preliminary study on the UNESCO-listed Tomb of the Kings in Paphos, Cyprus, reveals distinct salinity hotspots that correlate with proximity to seawater spray and geological features. Using a multi-method approach—combining in situ measurements, laboratory analysis, and remote sensing—the research identifies areas of varying salt concentration, suggesting differential vulnerability to degradation. While findings are preliminary, they underscore the need for a risk assessment framework to guide conservation efforts. The study highlights the urgency of further investigation into salinity’s role in heritage deterioration, offering critical insights for protecting Cyprus’ maritime archaeological treasures.
Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin
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Samuel Beckett's 1936–1937 journey through Germany, documented in his posthumously discovered 'German Diaries,' offers a unique lens on the perception and preservation of art during a pivotal historical period. His extensive visits to museums, including the Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum (now part of Museum Island, Berlin), reveal a deep engagement with classical art amidst the rising tide of Nazi censorship, particularly the purging of 'degenerate art.' Beckett's meticulous observations, from Hamburg to Munich, highlight the stark contrast between his admiration for old masters and the contemporary political climate. Notably, his visit to Dresden's Zwinger and the replacement of religious greetings with 'Heil Hitler' in Regensburg underscore the era's cultural shifts. This account provides invaluable insights into an artist's perspective on art and history during a transformative period.
San Antonio Missions
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A comprehensive geologic resources inventory report for San Antonio Missions National Historical Park reveals critical insights into the park's geologic heritage, features, and processes. The study synthesizes findings from scoping meetings held in 2008 and 2023, providing a detailed framework for managing visitor safety, infrastructure planning, and the preservation of natural and cultural resources. Key contributions include an analysis of geologic history and resource management issues, along with guidance for park managers. The report also integrates previously completed GIS data and a poster, offering a robust toolkit for interpretation and decision-making in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio Complex
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San Leucio, a 18th-century social labor experiment in Southern Italy, stands as a unique model of development that challenges conventional narratives of industrialization. This study reveals how the workers at San Leucio actively embraced modernization efforts led by King Ferdinand IV, contrasting sharply with the stagnant bourgeoisie of the Kingdom. The research highlights the complexities and contradictions of this utopian initiative, which, despite its eventual clash with structural issues, offers valuable insights into alternative economic paradigms. By reconstructing historical events, the study provides a nuanced perspective that questions traditional historiographical models and underscores San Leucio's significance in pre-unification Italy.
Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park
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Sanganeb Atoll, located in the Sudanese Red Sea, stands as a unique marine ecosystem within the northwest Indian Ocean biogeographic region, which lacks any UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This study highlights its significance through its distinct topography, bathymetry, oceanography, and biodiversity, emphasizing its potential for global conservation recognition. The research traces Sanganeb's transformation from a lighthouse to Sanganeb Marine National Park (SMNP) and its subsequent inclusion on the World Heritage List, underscoring the role of legal protection, public education, environmental monitoring, and scientific research in this process. Supported by PERSGA in 2004, SMNP developed a site-specific master plan with management guidelines, reflecting its ecological importance and the Sudanese government's efforts to secure its heritage status.
Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan
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Research reveals that the Saryarka region, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan,' played a significant role in the economic and ethnocultural relations of early nomads during the Saka and Sauromatian–Sarmatian periods (8th century BC to 2nd century AD). The study identifies two distinct phases of interaction between the Southern Trans-Urals and Saryarka, driven primarily by the demand for copper and tin. During the Early Saka period, connections were intense, as evidenced by similarities in material culture and metal composition, while during the Sauromatian–Sarmatian period, these ties weakened due to shifting ethno-political dynamics. The study also traces the evolution of supply routes for tin, transitioning from Altai sources to include Central Asian ones. This research sheds light on the complex interdependencies between nomadic societies in Central Eurasia and their adaptation to changing economic landscapes.
The Grand Canal
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A significant improvement in water quality has been observed in the Beijing section of the Grand Canal (BGC) from 2016 to 2022, with the comprehensive trophic level index (TLI) decreasing from 64.7 to 60.3, indicating a shift from light eutrophic conditions toward better water quality. This progress is attributed to reduced fertilizer and pesticide use, as well as environmental policies implemented by Beijing Municipal government. The study utilized remote sensing technology to monitor the BGC's water quality, revealing that 83% of the canal's water met good quality standards by 2022, up from 50% in 2016. These findings provide critical insights for managing and protecting the canal's water resources, while also contributing to the evaluation of UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.4.
Niokolo-Koba National Park
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A study of West African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in the anthropized habitats around Tikankali, Senegal, reveals distinct nesting behavior patterns influenced by proximity to gold mining and Niokolo-Koba National Park. Researchers recorded 213 nests across two surveys, finding a strong preference for Pterocarpus erinaceus (53% of nests) among 22 plant species used as supports. Nest height (average 7.46 m) was found to correlate with tree height (average 9.88 m), suggesting height-specific nesting preferences. The study highlights the impact of anthropogenic activities on chimpanzee behavior and provides critical data for conservation strategies in Senegal.
Wooden Churches of Maramureş
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A study demonstrates that modern laser scanning technologies can effectively capture the interior appearance of historic wooden churches in Maramureş, Romania, even under challenging lighting conditions. By developing a specialized scanning methodology and selecting appropriate equipment parameters, researchers successfully documented four 17th- and 18th-century churches, preserving their culturally significant interiors despite environmental degradation risks. The approach proved robust for future heritage documentation projects, offering a scalable solution for structures facing similar preservation challenges.
Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain
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A data-driven model reveals that CO2 concentrations in the Altamira cave, Spainpeaked dramatically between 1950 and 1972 due to high visitor numbers. The study demonstrates that real-time monitoring of cave CO2 is feasible using satellite observations and meteorological predictions. Projections indicate future CO2 levels will surpass those of the 1980s and 1990s, despite reduced tourism, posing risks to the integrity of cave walls and pigments through micro-corrosion.
Aldabra Atoll
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Seabird-derived nutrient enrichment significantly alters the size and resource use of mangrove macroinvertebrates at Aldabra Atoll, potentially enhancing mangrove ecosystem services. The study found that seabird guano increased nitrogen content in basal food sources and herbivorous littorinid gastropods and sesarmid crabs, leading to larger mean carapace widths (6–11% increase) in these species compared to non-seabird sites. Isotopic analysis revealed a shift in resource contributions, with seabird sites showing higher reliance on epiphytic macroalgae and guano (>50%) versus mangrove leaves and sediment organic matter at non-seabird sites. These findings suggest that seabird nutrient subsidies can modify trophic interactions, benefiting mangrove crab fisheries and ecosystem resilience.
Macquarie Island
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Macquarie Island's seabird populations exhibit significant recovery following the eradication of invasive species, as revealed by a palaeoecological study combining peat core analysis and contemporary monitoring. Radiometric dating and geochemical analyses of marine-derived nutrients from guano deposition demonstrated that seabird presence fluctuated dramatically over time, with notable declines during periods of invasive species dominance. The study underscores the effectiveness of invasive species eradication in restoring seabird populations and highlights the importance of integrating palaeoecological data with ongoing monitoring to assess ecosystem recovery. These findings provide critical insights for conservation management in subantarctic environments.
Classical Gardens of Suzhou
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A novel, multi-evidence framework for restoring perished Chinese gardens—those lost entirely or altered beyond recognition—has been developed. This approach integrates seven categories of evidence: on-site physical remains, archaeological data, poetic descriptions, pictorial records, oral histories, related artifacts, and gardening theories. By evaluating the probative strength, interrelationships, and dynamic nature of these sources, researchers can reconstruct historical garden landscapes with greater accuracy. The method addresses challenges posed by contradictory or incomplete evidence, transitioning from reliance on single sources to a robust, multifaceted evidentiary base. This work serves as a reference for historical garden research, offering deeper insights into the evolution of classical Chinese gardens.
Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island
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A study on Iriomote Island, part of the Ryukyu Archipelago, reveals that two top predators—the endangered Iriomote cat and the Crested Serpent Eagle—coexist by partitioning their diets seasonally. Using DNA metabarcoding analysis of fecal samples, researchers identified significant differences in diet composition between the species during summer and winter, despite some overlap at the species-to-order level. The findings suggest that dietary niche differentiation is a key factor enabling these predators to thrive on a small island with limited resources. This research sheds light on the ecological dynamics of predator coexistence in constrained environments.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
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Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (LMNP) in Northeast Brazil, a popular tourist destination, is also an endemic area for leishmaniasis due to the presence of sand fly species that serve as vectors for Leishmania. A seven-year study revealed that Lutzomyia longipalpis and Nyssomyia whitmani were the most abundant sand fly species, with their populations peaking from April to June. These patterns were influenced by environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and wind speed, which showed a significant correlation with sand fly abundance. Notably, tourist visits to LMNP coincide with high sand fly activity during the rainy months (May-June) and the start of the rainy season (January-February), but no cases of infected tourists have been recorded, likely due to daytime visitation when sand flies are inactive. However, there is a potential risk if tourists engage in nighttime cultural visits to nearby villages where leishmaniasis cases occur annually.
Białowieża Forest
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Resident bird species in Białowieża Forest exhibit distinct seasonal habitat preferences, with winter and spring distributions often diverging. A study found no spatial overlap between winter and spring bird diversity hotspots, indicating that resident forest birds do not rely on the same habitats year-round. Post-disturbance management, particularly following European spruce bark beetle outbreaks, further influences these patterns. While the overall wintering community and invertivore arboreal gleaners favored moderately salvage-logged sites, avoiding strongly logged areas, invertivore bark foragers shifted towards both salvage-logged and natural regeneration sites. Species-specific responses were observed, with no universal habitat preference across seasons or disturbance levels. The research underscores the need to consider non-breeding season habitat use when assessing forest bird communities and highlights the importance of maintaining habitat heterogeneity in post-disturbance management.
Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omatí Minhô
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Migratory shorebirds wintering in the Bijagós Archipelago exhibit significant seasonal shifts in diet, with smaller species increasing polychaete consumption and larger ones favoring bivalves during the critical fuelling period. This dietary flexibility, marked by low overlap between periods, suggests adaptations to prey availability or selection pressures. The study reconstructed diets for eight shorebird species across three non-breeding phases—arrival, mid-winter, and fuelling—revealing distinct trophic strategies that may underpin their survival in this UNESCO-listed coastal ecosystem.
Robben Island
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A comprehensive second bibliography of biodiversity research on Robben Island has been compiled, covering the period from 2016 to 2024. This update builds upon the previous bibliography, which covered research up to 2016, providing an extensive record of scientific output related to the island's unique ecosystem. The bibliography highlights significant contributions to the understanding and preservation of Robben Island's biodiversity, supported by the Robben Island Museum. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers, conservationists, and policymakers, offering insights into the ecological dynamics and historical significance of this important site.
Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar
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Dr. Sedad Bešlija's study, 'Hercegovački Sandžak u 17. stoljeću,' offers the first comprehensive analysis of the Bosnian Eyalet during the 17th century, addressing a significant gap in Ottoman historiography due to limited sources. The research reveals critical insights into the administrative, economic, and cultural dynamics of the Herzegovina Sanjak, highlighting its role during the Cretan War (1645–1669) and the Great Turkish War (1683/84–1699). It also provides a detailed account of everyday life, including social engagement and architectural contributions, particularly through waqf institutions. The study is based on extensive archival research from multiple locations, including Istanbul, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, and Zaostrog, alongside published sources and travelogues. This work not only enriches the understanding of the Ottoman period in Bosnia and Herzegovina but also suggests a new approach to Bosnian historiography by focusing on micro-themes and administrative units.
Soltaniyeh
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A seismic assessment of the Soltaniyeh Dome, a 14th-century Iranian mausoleum renowned for its double-shell dome construction, reveals that minarets are the most vulnerable part of the structure. The study employed three-dimensional numerical models and advanced seismic analyses, including pushover and limit analysis, to evaluate the dome's collapse mechanisms under seismic scenarios. This research highlights the structural weaknesses in secondary elements like minarets, offering critical insights for preserving such architectural masterpieces. The findings underscore the importance of targeted seismic retrofitting strategies to ensure the longevity of historically significant structures.
Historic Centre of Florence
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A seismic vulnerability assessment of the historic centre of Florence reveals that internal courts in masonry buildings significantly influence their seismic behaviour. The study, employing the Vulnerability Index Method and non-linear FEM investigations, identified specific parameters within the GNDT form that describe this vulnerability. It proposes integrating these findings into the GNDT form to better account for local vulnerabilities induced by internal courts in historical buildings. This research contributes to the safeguarding of built heritage, offering insights into the seismic resilience of historic urban centres.
Manú National Park
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Subsistence hunting in Manu National Park, Peru, appears to have selective impacts on mammal communities without causing significant depletion of most species. Research using camera trap data found that sites with no or low hunting pressure harbor relatively more large-bodied carnivores and species with long generation lengths and small litters, suggesting these are particularly vulnerable to hunting. Conversely, smaller-bodied rodents with short generation lengths and large litters dominate hunted sites. Surprisingly, large herbivores—commonly hunted—showed no significant decline across the gradient. The study also highlighted that habitat factors (e.g., distance to water bodies) can be more influential than hunting pressure for some species, underscoring the need for localized forest management strategies.
Venice and its Lagoon
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A study reveals distinct spatiotemporal patterns of public risk perceptions on social media during Heritage-Related Events (HREs), using the 2019 Notre Dame fire and Venice flood as case studies. Analysis of Twitter data shows heightened online activity and emotional responses before, during, and after these events, with machine learning models identifying dominant topics and sentiments. The research highlights how public reactions vary based on event severity, offering insights for urban risk reduction and heritage management. This methodological framework also advances Geo-AI applications in spatiotemporal clustering.
Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures
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Samarkand is identified as a unique cultural phenomenon with distinct semiotic features that set it apart from other world texts. This study reveals that Samarkand's literary representation spans centuries and diverse genres, including historical novels, poetry, travelogues, and memoirs, forming a stable and original semiotic field. The research analyzes texts from the 15th to the 21st century, uncovering its polysemantic and functional nature, while systematizing its aesthetic models, world design principles, eidetic image, and urban locus. Samarkand's rich history as a center of science, culture, and arts is reflected in these texts, presenting an authentic cultural code that distinguishes it globally.
Biblical Tels - Megiddo, Hazor, Beer Sheba
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Serial World Heritage properties, which group multiple sites sharing common themes and values, are influenced by an 'interpretive dynamic' that affects both their nomination justifications and on-site interpretation. This study analyzes the Israeli Biblical Tels—Megiddo, Hazor, Beer-Sheba (2005)—to demonstrate how this dynamic emerges during the inscription process, highlighting a gap between the catalytic use of serial inscriptions and their core value-oriented purpose. The research traces revisions in the nomination to show that interpretive dynamics inevitably shape heritage significance, leading the authors to critique the overuse of serial inscriptions and advocate for redefining them to prioritize interpretation. The findings underscore the need for a more nuanced approach to serial properties to align with their intended role as value-driven constructs.
Wadi Rum Protected Area
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A significant positive relationship exists between service quality, organizational excellence, and employee job satisfaction at Wadi Rum Protected Area (WRPA) in Jordan. The study, one of the first to examine these factors in a developing country context, found that fostering an organizational culture prioritizing service quality and excellence—through leadership development, employee engagement, growth opportunities, recognition, and work-life balance—enhances job satisfaction while supporting effective natural resource management and tourism experiences. This underscores WRPA's role in preserving Jordan's natural and cultural heritage by investing in both staff well-being and operational efficiency.
Chiribiquete National Park – “The Maloca of the Jaguar”
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2024 —
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A taxonomic revision of the genus <em>Rinorea</em> (Violaceae) from Colombia has uncovered seven new species, significantly expanding our understanding of Neotropical biodiversity. These discoveries include <em>Rinorea chiribiquetensis</em>, found exclusively in Chiribiquete National Parkalong with others distributed across the Amazon and Andean regions. The study employed a combination of field observations and herbarium analyses to distinguish these species, particularly within complex groups like <em>R. ovalifolia</em> and <em>R. pubiflora</em>. Two new taxa, <em>Rinorea aymardii</em> and <em>Rinorea betancurii</em>, represent previously unknown lineages with affinities to other Neotropical species. The research provides detailed descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, and preliminary IUCN Red List assessments for these species, alongside an identification key for Colombian <em>Rinorea sect. Pubiflorae</em>. This work underscores the importance of Chiribiquete National Park as a critical hotspot for plant diversity.
Yin Xu
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2024 —
WHE3E7082AFBE
Archaeological excavations at the Shang royal mausoleum area of Yinxu, Anyang, Henan, have uncovered two dry moats and over 470 sacrificial pits, revealing defensive structures used during the late Shang dynasty (Dayi Shang period). The findings, based on stratigraphic and material evidence from four excavated sites in 2021–2022, confirm the moats' role as boundary markers for the royal mausoleum. Additionally, nearby Western Zhou remains, dated to the early Western Zhou, were identified southwest of the mausoleum area, providing insights into the transition between these dynasties.
Monastery of Batalha
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2024 —
WHE2444B941F2
Heraldry served as a powerful tool for late-medieval monarchies to assert power, with King João I of Portugal leveraging shared heraldic symbols during the 1383-1385 dynastic crisis and beyond. This study reveals how these symbols, integrated into the architecture and iconography of the Monastery of Batalha—a monument commemorating victory at Aljubarrota and later serving as a dynastic necropolis—reinforced royal legitimacy and dynastic continuity. By analyzing the transposition of heraldry from political propaganda to sacred space, the research demonstrates its dual role in both affirming independence and constructing enduring royal imagery.
Mammoth Cave National Park
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2024 —
WHEAB5385996A
A paleontological resource inventory of Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, has uncovered a rich diversity of Mississippian Subperiod marine vertebrate fossils, particularly cartilaginous fishes (sharks and kin), with over 70 species identified—90% of which are sharks. This discovery reveals multiple successive assemblages of ancient fish, correcting outdated records from the late 19th century. The study highlights Mammoth Cave as a significant site for understanding fish assemblage changes during the formation of Pangea. Researchers conducted a focused search across four primary horizons, two of which had no prior fossil records, providing new insights into regional paleontology.
