World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 20901 – 20920 of 30345 publications

Ten years later: a new species of Aspilia (Asteraceae—Heliantheae) from Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2017 — WHE466FF02D43

Researchers have identified and described a new species of Aspilia, A. pseudocalea, endemic to the State of Goiás, Brazil, within the UNESCO-listed Cerrado Protected Areas, specifically Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park. This discovery builds upon previous work in the region and highlights its rich biodiversity. The new species is distinguished by its herbaceous habit, linear leaves, and a unique glabrous scar on the cypsela base, setting it apart from closely related A. prostrata. The study provides detailed illustrations, a distribution map, and conservation status assessment, along with a diagnostic key to aid in species identification. This finding underscores the importance of protected areas like Chapada dos Veadeiros in preserving Brazil's unique flora.

Tensiones coloniales en las narrativas sobre el pasado de Tierradentro (Cauca, Colombia).

National Archeological Park of Tierradentro — 2017 — WHE2468F540E3

This critical analysis reveals the colonial tensions embedded in narratives about Tierradentro's past, challenging traditional archaeological and anthropological discourses. By applying decolonial thought, the study exposes contradictions and ruptures in historical representations, offering a pluralistic reinterpretation of the region’s history. The research employs a disciplinarily repositioned approach to uncover how colonial frameworks have shaped the understanding of Tierradentro, paving the way for new interpretative pathways that center marginalized voices and perspectives.

Terraced Landscapes. The “Penisola Sorrentino – Amalfitana” Case

Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) — 2017 — WHE749738E416

Terraced landscapes, found globally in steep mountain and coastal areas, represent significant multi-disciplinary values that have gained increasing recognition for their importance. A study on the 'Penisola Sorrentino – Amalfitana' case highlights that mere preservation efforts are insufficient; instead, complex strategies integrating these terraces with other touristic attractions are necessary for effective safeguarding. This insight is drawn from a broader understanding of terraced landscapes, which includes notable UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Italian Cinque Terre and Costiera Amalfitana.

Terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetry techniques for documenting fossil‐bearing palaeokarst with an example from the Drimolen Palaeocave System, South Africa

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — 2017 — WHE247E1DBA2D

A groundbreaking method combining terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetry has been successfully employed to create highly accurate 3D models of the Drimolen Makondo palaeontological deposits, a critical fossil-bearing palaeokarst site within South Africa's UNESCO World Heritage Hominid Sites. This innovative approach allows for detailed recording and archival documentation of complex palaeocave systems, integrating seamlessly with total station survey techniques to accurately control excavations and visualize stratigraphic contexts. The study demonstrates that low-cost, time-efficient digital photographic surveys can produce precise 3D models, offering a cost-effective alternative to specialized equipment in remote locations. This method not only enhances the contextualization of excavation data but also supports the recording of sites as part of an evolving landscape, providing a robust solution for preserving and analyzing irreplaceable UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Terrestrial laser scanning for heritage conservation:the Cologne Cathedral documentation project

Cologne Cathedral — 2017 — WHE17CD9B7AE0

Terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetric imaging systems offer a precise, objective method for documenting complex heritage structures, enabling digital preservation and aiding conservation efforts. The Cologne Cathedral documentation project, a collaboration between Heriot-Watt University, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, and the Metropolitankapitel der Hohen Domkirche Köln Dombauhütte, demonstrates the effectiveness of these technologies in capturing detailed 3D representations of culturally significant sites like the Gothic masterpiece. This digital record serves as a timeless virtual archive, supporting educational and scholarly use while providing critical data for structural analysis and repair. The project highlights the potential of advanced scanning techniques to revolutionize heritage conservation by offering high-resolution, non-invasive documentation.

The ‘green militarisation’ of development aid: the European Commission and the Virunga National Park, DR Congo

Virunga National Park — 2017 — WHE8331EB85D8

Development aid from the European Commission (EC) to Virunga National Park, DR Congo, is found to contribute to 'green militarisation'—a process where conservation efforts are intertwined with paramilitary practices. The EC funds salaries and training for park guards while supporting mixed patrols with the Congolese army, framing violent conflicts around the park as economic rather than political issues. This approach allows policymakers to avoid public scrutiny over the use of aid for (para)military purposes. Unlike prior studies that focus on securitised discourses, this research highlights mundane practices within international organisations that facilitate militarisation in conservation. The findings underscore the need to examine how institutional norms and networks obscure the political dimensions of conservation-related violence.

The ‘Triple R’ Approach on the Restoration of Archaeological Dry Stone City Walls: Procedures and Application to a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Oman

Land of Frankincense — 2017 — WHE63D85E3234

A novel restoration approach, termed the 'Triple R' method—recognizable, reversible, and respectful—was successfully applied to preserve the archaeological dry stone city walls of Al-Baleed, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Oman's Land of Frankincense. This innovative technique, adapted to the monsoon-affected climate of the Indian Ocean region, ensured the conservation of the site's original architectural features using locally sourced stones and materials. The method included procedures for consolidating walls, gates, foundations, and sloping surfaces while incorporating simple on-site mechanical tests to assess the safety of restored structures. These efforts facilitated further archaeological excavations, leading to new findings that shed light on the city's evolution from its 9th-century origins over five centuries.

The “old” and the “new”: events and placemaking in Luang Prabang, Laos

Town of Luang Prabang — 2017 — WHE718908C1B4

Two festivals in Luang Prabang, Laos—a centuries-old tradition and a recent innovation—reveal that place-making is not static but a dynamic interplay of past, present, and future. The study challenges the separation of 'events' from 'place,' arguing this dichotomy undermines both lived experience and analytical depth. Through fieldwork spanning 2008–2016, including interviews, observations, and participation in Lai Heua Fai (2013) and the Luang Prabang Film Festival (2015), researchers demonstrate how these events spatially construct identity, blending tradition with contemporary markers of place attachment. This work redefines place-making as an ongoing process where 'old' and 'new' are continuously reconstituted, offering new perspectives on heritage site evolution in a globalized world.

The 2012 Earthquake: an Abacus of Surveys and Interventions in Mantua Churches

Mantua and Sabbioneta — 2017 — WHEFA049246BE

After the 2012 earthquake, over 40% of Mantua's churches were damaged due to their architectural vulnerability. A five-year survey and restoration project, led by the Diocese of Mantua and Politecnico di Milano, documented 25 churches to guide interventions such as shoring, retrofitting, and restoration. The study identified key factors contributing to damage, including unfamiliarity with seismic-resistant construction practices and poor maintenance, which informed repair techniques like mesh and plaster vault repairs, wood/steel wedge injections, and masonry gap filling. Of the 129 damaged churches, 115 have since been fully restored, providing a model for future seismic risk management in historic structures while prioritizing cultural heritage preservation.

The Afterlife of the Roman City: Architecture and Ceremony in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages by Hendrik W. Dey

Aachen Cathedral — 2017 — WHEE6F81A95E5

Aachen Cathedral embodies the architectural and ceremonial continuity of late antique urban forms into the early Middle Ages. Research by Hendrik W. Dey reveals that colonnaded avenues and processional ceremonies persisted as central expressions of civic authority from the 3rd to the 9th centuries, despite significant political and economic transformations. These porticated streets served as stages for imperial and ecclesiastical processions, such as the 'adventus,' which reinforced power dynamics between rulers and their subjects. Dey's analysis, based on diverse textual, material, and iconographic evidence from regions including Arabia and Germany, demonstrates that this urban topography remained significant even during periods of decline, influencing later monastic and palace centers like Carolingian Francia. The study challenges traditional narratives by highlighting the resilience of late antique urban forms, offering new insights into the evolution of authority and ceremony in post-Roman Europe.

The Afterlives of a Ruin

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2017 — WHE8A3FAFDE7E

During the Second Opium War, British and French forces systematically destroyed the Yuanming, Changchun, and Qichun Gardens near Beijing, looting thousands of artifacts that were subsequently sold, displayed, or collected in Europe. The study reveals how these gardens—once prized imperial landscapes—became symbols of Western cultural appropriation, with plundered items labeled as 'from the Summer Palace' entering museums, auction markets, and private collections. Additionally, the ruins of European-style palaces within Yuanmingyuan attracted foreign diplomats and their entourage, who found them a picturesque spot for leisure activities.

The age of romanticism

Cologne Cathedral — 2017 — WHE61A9F954AB

Romanticism significantly influenced the approach to conservation and restoration of historic sites, marking a pivotal shift in how buildings like Cologne Cathedral were perceived. This movement, rooted in the back-to-nature philosophy and emphasizing freedom, individuality, and creativity, led to the recognition of historic structures as national monuments. Unlike previous practices, Romanticism advocated for preserving buildings that represented transitions between architectural styles, such as Romanesque to Gothic, rather than only those embodying pure stylistic forms. The study highlights how this new historical consciousness, driven by both artistic and religious motivations, reshaped conservation efforts in Germany, France, and England.

The Alpine Club of Canada’s ‘Mountain Heritage’: Adventure and Advocacy in the Twentieth Century and Beyond

Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks — 2017 — WHED301524ABC

The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) played a pivotal role in shaping mountain adventure, conservation, and tourism in Canada's Rocky Mountain Parks during the 20th century. Its annual camps, physical culture initiatives, and advocacy efforts were instrumental in integrating mountaineering with park development. The ACC not only championed climbing traditions but also engaged in debates over land use and conservation, illustrating a complex interplay between sport, recreation, and environmental stewardship. Through archival research and alpine journals, the study reveals how the club's legacy intertwined adventure, education, and advocacy, influencing both local landscapes and broader international discussions on mountain parks.

The Ancient Walls of Damascus and the Siege of Mouaddamiyya: A Historical and Spatial Analysis of Bounded Place and Cultural Identity

Ancient City of Damascus — 2017 — WHE5699448B0A

Historical and spatial analysis of Damascus' ancient walls reveals their role in shaping cultural identity and contributing to political cleavages during the Syrian crisis. The study highlights how material boundaries, such as city walls, have influenced spatially grounded divisions within Syrian and Damascene identity, with a focus on public responses to the siege of Mouaddamiyya neighborhood. By revisiting the historical spatial organization of Damascus, this research demonstrates the impact of bounded places on cultural identity and political turmoil, offering insights into the complexities of regional conflicts.

The archaeoastronomy and feng shui of Xanadu: Kublai Khan’s imperial Mongolian capital

Site of Xanadu — 2017 — WHE05CF18747F

Xanadu, Kublai Khan's imperial summer capital during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), was designed with feng-shui principles that harmonized it with natural forces. A key discovery reveals that celestial alignments played a significant role in achieving this harmony, integrating visible and invisible elements of earth, sky, and water. The study combines archaeoastronomy and feng shui analysis to demonstrate how Xanadu's layout reflected sophisticated understanding of cosmic and terrestrial dynamics, offering new insights into the architectural and cultural sophistication of Mongolian imperial design.

The Archaeological Site of Tipasa, Algeria: What Kind of Management Plan?

Tipasa — 2017 — WHE82B7660D34

UNESCO's conditional listing of the archaeological site of Tipasa, Algeria, on its World Heritage list hinges on the implementation of a robust management plan. A study by Benali Aoudia and Chennaoui (2017) addresses this critical requirement by translating the prescriptions of the Protection and Enhancement Plan of Archaeological Sites (PPMVSA), approved in 2012, into a comprehensive long-term strategy. This approach ensures the preservation and enhancement of Tipasa while fostering socio-economic development in its region. The research employs a systemic analysis and ex ante evaluation of the site's dynamics, proposing five strategic visions and seven action plans to meet UNESCO's demands effectively.

The Archaeology of Chichen Itza

Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza — 2017 — WHEF7B923F085

Chichen Itza's urban growth, architectural development, and interactions with surrounding sites are now better understood through a synthesis of ceramic analysis, stratigraphy, paleoclimatology, and hieroglyphic decipherment. This study resolves long-standing debates about its Terminal Classic or Postclassic classification by integrating multiple lines of evidence, offering a refined timeline for construction phases and cultural transitions. The research challenges traditional narratives by providing new data on settlement patterns and ethnohistoric sources, shedding light on the site's political and economic dynamics during Mesoamerica's Late Classic to Early Postclassic periods.

The Australopithecines – An Extinct Group of Human Ancestors: My Scientific Interest in South Africa

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — 2017 — WHEB69F256FFC

Paleoanthropological research on South Africa's australopithecines reveals significant insights into the morphology, social behavior, and evolutionary history of these extinct human ancestors. A key finding is the pronounced sexual dimorphism in facial features among Australopithecus robustus and Australopithecus africanus, resembling gorilla-like proportions. The study also highlights the multimale-multifemale social structure inferred from fossil evidence dating back approximately 2 million years. Additionally, it explores the taxonomic status of Australopithecus robustus from the Kromdraai site and provides a graphic reconstruction of a partial skull (TM 1517). The research further examines the historical significance of the Taung Child, the first australopithecine skull discovered, by analyzing its 1924/25 photographs. This comprehensive approach combines morphological analysis with behavioral inferences to deepen our understanding of early hominid evolution.

The Barrier in Jerusalem

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2017 — WHE00194395F5

A significant reshaping of Jerusalem's boundaries, particularly around its walled Old City—a site sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—is underway due to Israel's separation barrier project. This infrastructure, designed to address security concerns, risks altering the city's character and status, a concern highlighted by UN Resolution 478 in 1980, which condemned Israel's actions as violating international law. The study examines how this barrier, situated within a city divided between Jewish and Arab neighborhoods, challenges its development and application, while also impacting national identities and claims to the city as capital. The research explores the legal and geopolitical implications of such infrastructure on a site deeply tied to religious significance and international relations.

The Beefeaters at the Tower of London, 1826–1914: Icons of Englishness or Britishness?

Tower of London — 2017 — WHE6F6809BE97

The Beefeaters at the Tower of London emerged as enduring symbols of British national identity during the 19th century, embodying loyalty to the Crown and historical continuity amidst societal changes. This study reveals how their distinctive uniforms and visible roles served as a unifying force in a multifaceted UK, addressing the complexities of Britishness across its constituent nations. By analyzing the period as one of crisis, the research demonstrates how the monarchy leveraged these figures to reinforce constitutional loyalty and national cohesion.