World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 20921 – 20940 of 30345 publications

The Białowieża Forest controversy in the light of the world dispute in conservation biology

Białowieża Forest — 2017 — WHE93B0F2820C

The Białowieża Forest controversy highlights a global divide in conservation biology, pitting biocentrists against anthropocentrists over the primary goal of nature preservation. Biocentrists advocate for the protection of natural processes and endangered species as the sole objective, while anthropocentrists prioritize sustainable ecosystem services with species protection as a secondary benefit. A key point of contention involves the management of bark beetle outbreaks, where foresters' practices of removing infested trees clash with naturalists' objections. The study reveals that both sides lack familiarity with EU guidelines on wilderness in Natura 2000, which could resolve this dispute. Additionally, the forest's complex governance structure—comprising six different national and two international legal forms—creates chaos, hindering effective conservation efforts. This research underscores the need for clearer organizational frameworks to protect such valuable sites.

The bluestones of Stonehenge

Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites — 2017 — WHEDDD0C67689

Recent investigations have challenged long-standing assumptions about the origin of Stonehenge's bluestones, identifying new potential source sites within the Mynydd Preseli region of north Pembrokeshire, Wales. While H.H. Thomas proposed specific locations in 1923, modern research suggests alternative sources from the same broad area, leading to significant archaeological discoveries and revised theories about the transportation routes used to move these stones over 230 km to Stonehenge. These findings not only refine our understanding of the bluestones' provenance but also provide fresh insights into the logistical challenges faced by ancient builders.

The bone workshop site of Yinxu Period at Tiesan Road in Anyang, Henan

Yin Xu — 2017 — WHE751D33E2FD

Excavations at the Yinxu Period bone workshop site in Anyang, Henan, revealed a significant archaeological site spanning approximately 1.76 hectares, operational from Phase II to late Phase IV of the Yinxu Period. The discovery included extensive remains such as roads, house foundations, ash pits, and burials, alongside a vast array of artifacts, predominantly bone materials. This wealth of findings provides crucial insights into late Shang Dynasty handicraft production, animal husbandry economics, and the utilization and supply of animal resources. Conducted over three excavation terms from 2002 to 2008, the study offers substantial data for understanding the social and economic structures of the period.

The book "Footbridges - Small is Beautiful"

Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar — 2017 — WHED1E44A3895

A comprehensive review of European footbridges, including the iconic Old Bridge in Mostar, reveals enduring lessons for modern bridge design. The book 'Footbridges – Small is Beautiful' (2014) compiled by 22 European authors highlights the creative synergy between architecture and engineering required to construct pedestrian bridges, often smaller yet complex structures. By analyzing over 200 footbridges—ranging from ancient to contemporary—the study underscores the historical significance of bridges like Mostar's Old Bridge, Venice's Rialto Bridge, and Ljubljana's Hradeckega Bridge as sources of inspiration for sustainable and aesthetically innovative designs. The research emphasizes the importance of integrating past expertise with modern techniques to enhance both functionality and creativity in bridge construction.

The Brown University Petra Archaeological Project: Landscape Archaeology in the Northern Hinterland of Petra, Jordan

Petra — 2017 — WHE4539C104E0

The Brown University Petra Archaeological Project (BUPAP) revealed significant patterns of human activity spanning from the Lower Paleolithic to the present in the northern hinterland of Petra, Jordan. Through an intensive survey covering 1,000 hectares using closely spaced fieldwalking and geophysical surveys, researchers documented tens of thousands of artifacts and over 1,000 archaeological features, along with test excavations at ten key sites. This approach, characterized by its methodological rigor, uncovered previously unrecognized spatial distributions that shed light on the long-term human history of the region. The study highlights the potential of such intensive methodologies to transform our understanding of landscape archaeology in Jordan and beyond.

The Buddha in Sri Lanka: Histories and Stories

Ancient City of Sigiriya — 2017 — WHE6471895558

This interdisciplinary work offers a critical reassessment of Buddhist histories and narratives, particularly focusing on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya. It challenges conventional interpretations by exploring restorative readings of the Buddha's death, the symbolic role of Kali in Buddhist parables, and the cultural significance of warrior kings like Dutthagamani. The study employs a blend of historical analysis, literary critique, and ethnographic examination to unpack the layered meanings embedded in Sri Lankan Buddhist traditions. It also delves into modern Buddhist reforms, such as those led by Anagarika Dharmapala, highlighting their impact on personal identity and cultural crises. Through this approach, it provides a nuanced understanding of how stories and histories shape Buddhist thought and practice.

The building stone of the Roman city of Dougga (Tunisia): Provenance, petrophysical characterisation and durability

Dougga / Thugga — 2017 — WHE6160604A65

Research on the building stone of Dougga (Tunisia) reveals that the Eocene nummulitic limestone used in Roman architecture exhibits exceptional durability, withstanding ice crystallization and SO₂ attack ageing tests. The study identified four distinct lithotypes, each linked to specific stratigraphic mining points in ancient quarries, demonstrating a strong correlation between petrographic variations and physical properties. These findings highlight the stone's resilience as a building material, offering critical insights for the preservation of archaeological sites.

The built environment in contemporary old Havana: building systems in a historic district

Old Havana and its Fortification System — 2017 — WHE0923B34251

A novel 'hybrid building system' has emerged in Old Havana, blending top-down and bottom-up approaches to urban development. This system integrates elements from both state-led and community-driven models, enabling resident empowerment while aligning with large-scale redevelopment goals. The study identifies three distinct building systems—top-down, bottom-up, and hybrid—that shape the built environment's configuration, labor organization, technologies used, financing, and regulatory compliance. Observing these dynamics post-Cold War, the research highlights how Cuba's shifting political and economic landscape influenced urban production, with the Community Architect Program serving as a key example of state appropriation of grassroots initiatives. This hybrid approach offers a balanced solution for preserving historic districts while meeting modern needs.

The Camps of Brutus and Cassius at Philippi, 42 B.C.

Archaeological Site of Philippi — 2017 — WHE2684E736D7

Recent archaeological investigations at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Philippi have uncovered significant remains of the military camps used by Brutus and Cassius during their confrontation with Octavian and Mark Antony in 42 B.C. The study, published in Hesperia, identifies distinct camp layouts, fortifications, and organizational structures that provide unprecedented insights into Roman military logistics and tactics during this pivotal moment in ancient history. By analyzing spatial distribution, defensive features, and artifact assemblages, researchers reconstructed the camps' functional dynamics, revealing how Brutus and Cassius adapted to the terrain and strategic demands of the Battle of Philippi. This discovery enhances our understanding of late Republican Rome's military operations and their implications for the transition to imperial rule.

The Capital of Tennis: Jeux de Paume as Urban Sport Facilities in Fifteenth- and Sixteenth-Century Paris

Paris, Banks of the Seine — 2017 — WHE9B9B4071E5

Paris emerged as the epicenter of tennis culture during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, with its jeux de paume facilities serving as pivotal urban sport hubs. This study reveals that the city's diverse sociocultural milieus—including royal residences, princely hotels, artisan quarters, and university districts—fueled a steady demand for tennis among both players and spectators, particularly appealing to the aristocracy. The research examines the urbanistic and socioeconomic prerequisites shaping this sport culture while analyzing its economic dynamics. It also explores the ambivalent perceptions of city magistrates and contemporaries, highlighting tensions between leisure activities and urban governance in premodern Paris.

The Castillo-sub at Chichen Itza

Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza — 2017 — WHE7204B9C701

Research on the Castillo-sub at Chichen Itza reveals that the pyramid, possibly built over a cenote and aligned with astronomical phenomena, may have served dual roles: as a royal burial site and later as a public calendrical structure tied to the cult of the Feathered Serpent. The study examines early descriptions, explorations, and recent discoveries, including intact offerings from the 1930s, such as a chacmool, jaguar throne, and femurs embedded in walls, suggesting ritualistic sacrificial practices. Additionally, the pyramid's orientation and placement hint at its significance in both astronomical observations and topographical features.

The Cave and the Horizon (Chapter 1)

Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley — 2017 — WHE4217F6CECF

Archaeological evidence from the Vézère Valley, France, reveals that early humans—both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens—developed sophisticated artificial shelters as far back as 30,000 years ago. Contrary to the common stereotype of primitive life centered around cave entrances or savanna hunting, these findings demonstrate a remarkable adaptability in utilizing local resources to construct complex architectural designs tailored to climatic conditions. The study challenges conventional narratives by highlighting the ingenuity and resourcefulness of prehistoric humans, showcasing their ability to innovate beyond natural shelters like caves or rock overhangs.

The Changing Geographies of Australia's Wilderness Heritage

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2017 — WHE3E19B8746D

Australia's wilderness heritage has undergone significant shifts, moving from anthropocentric to biocentric approaches in defining wilderness quality. This transition emphasizes remoteness and primitiveness as key attributes, positioning them at the high-quality end of the wilderness continuum. The study highlights parallels between Australia's wilderness preservation efforts and those in other colonial New World countries, particularly influenced by the United States. Tasmania serves as a focal point for these complexities, illustrating the challenges faced in balancing conservation with tourism, which provides economic justification for preserving wilderness areas.

The Co-production of Water Justice in Latin American Cities

Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas — 2017 — WHEF6F87739C7

Institutionalized co-production platforms can effectively address water justice and foster socio-political transformations, even in the face of entrenched political clientelism. This study examines case studies from Cochabamba (Bolivia) and Caracas (Venezuela), demonstrating how partnerships between state, civil society, and community-led initiatives can build resilience against infrastructural inequality and reconfigure unequal power relations in water governance. The research employs a minimalist state framework to explore the transformative capacity of co-production mechanisms, highlighting their potential to enhance accountability and reduce resource misappropriation while navigating post-neoliberal socio-political contexts.

The commodification of death: Working of the genocide museum and the killing fields in the reconciliation process in Cambodia

Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection — 2017 — WHE48D4A43F8E

Cambodia's reconciliation process following the genocide of 1975–1979, during which at least two million people perished, reveals a troubling trend: the commodification of death. Despite efforts to commemorate the tragedy through memorials like the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields, these sites have increasingly prioritized tourism over remembrance, turning collective memory into an economic commodity. The study highlights systemic issues such as limited prosecutions, reluctance in truth-seeking, and victims' ignorance about reparations, while also noting the government's role in facilitating this shift—licensing foreign corporations to manage tourism and preparing additional genocide sites for commercialization. This transformation undermines justice by subordinating the meaning of deaths to economic interests.

The conservation status and distribution of the breeding birds of the Arabian peninsula

Socotra Archipelago — 2017 — WHE09F70238D7

A comprehensive assessment reveals that the Arabian Peninsula, including Socotra Archipelago and surrounding regions, hosts 357 breeding bird species. This study provides critical insights into their conservation status, distribution, and threats, contributing significantly to regional conservation planning. By employing a rigorous methodology, it includes Red List assessments for all species, identifies key threats, and maps centers of species richness and risks. The research also aims to establish a network of regional experts to support future conservation efforts and updates. This work serves as a foundational resource for understanding the biodiversity and challenges faced by avian species in this ecologically significant area.

The Council of Aachen and the Canonical Institute

Aachen Cathedral — 2017 — WHED1D374E491

The Council of Aachen and its associated canonical reforms represent a continuation, not an innovation, of existing ecclesiastical practices under the leadership of Charlemagne and Louis the Pious. Contrary to the 'Carolingian Renaissance' narrative, these reforms were part of an ongoing process aimed at maintaining high clerical standards, with close papal collaboration. Local synods laid the groundwork for the definitive Councils of Aachen (816–17), which standardized communal living among clergy—such as regular choir attendance, shared meals, and dormitory residence—as evidenced by early ninth-century privileges granted to Canterbury clergy. The study draws on historical records, including Hadrian I's capitula and Dom David Knowles' observations, to challenge the notion of a abrupt cultural rebirth while highlighting the institutionalization of canonical life.

The Cultural Project: Formal Chronological Modelling of the Early and Middle Neolithic Sequence in Lower Alsace

Upper Middle Rhine Valley — 2017 — WHE04CF161A7E

A significant hiatus between the end of the Linear Pottery culture (LBK) and the start of the Hinkelstein group, dating to around 4000 cal BC, has been identified in Lower Alsace, part of the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley. This gap suggests a broader phenomenon across the Rhineland, with full landscape reoccupation only occurring during the Grossgartach phase. The study employed Bayesian statistical modelling of radiocarbon dates to analyze ceramic changes and settlement patterns, revealing a dynamic Neolithic period marked by frequent relocations, adjustments, and cultural shifts. Radical transitions were also documented at the end of the Middle Neolithic, offering new insights into the pace and nature of cultural change in this region.

The D-Day Landing on Gold Beach: 6 June 1944

Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944 — 2017 — WHEC3E980990A

On June 6, 1944, the D-Day Landings at Gold Beach marked a pivotal moment in World War II, characterized by significant strategic and tactical challenges. The operation involved complex coordination between Allied forces and the German defenders, with Gold Beach serving as one of five key landing zones. Historical analysis reveals that the success of the landings was heavily influenced by factors such as terrain, weather conditions, and the effectiveness of naval and aerial support. This study provides a detailed account of the events, emphasizing the role of Gold Beach in the broader context of the Normandy campaign. It underscores the importance of meticulous planning and adaptability in achieving strategic objectives during large-scale military operations.

The Decadence of Delphi

Archaeological Site of Delphi — 2017 — WHE9353548161

Delphi's decline as a major oracular site was not due to the oracle itself, but rather its inability to engage with evolving theological and religious practices. While Delphi's oracle faded, other sites like Claros and Didyma in Asia Minor gained prestige by addressing new spiritual questions. The rise of astrology and Neoplatonic theurgy, which offered personal and soteriological pathways to divine wisdom, further marginalized traditional oracular consultation. Archaeological evidence shows a shift at Delphi from its Panhellenic pagan roots toward Christian acceptance, marking a significant transformation in its sacred space's use and status.