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Publications

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The Legal Parameters of the Old City of Jerusalem Special Regime

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2017 — WHE4FD9FAFE87

A proposed special regime for the governance of Jerusalem's Old City suggests a self-contained, municipal model rather than a radical sovereign entity. This approach aims to balance legal protection under existing laws, such as the Jerusalem Law, with practical governance needs. The study emphasizes creative applications of the status quo to address disputes while ensuring the city's unique character is preserved. By focusing on municipal governance, it offers a pragmatic framework for managing the complex challenges of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Lesser Snow Goose on Wrangel Island: Trophic Interactions with Ruminants and Breeding Habitat Selection

Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve — 2017 — WHEA7E1B9B0B1

Research on Wrangel Island reveals that the lesser snow goose (Anser caerulescens caerulescens), the only major nesting colony of its kind in Eurasia, faces significant competition for trophic resources from ruminants. Despite this, the geese's habitat selection is not driven by resource availability or competitive pressure but rather by microclimate and potentially other factors. The study analyzed trophic niche overlap and competitive dynamics between geese and ruminants, finding that while ruminants are stronger competitors, resource shortages do not hinder the geese's potential to restore or form new colonies. This insight challenges the assumption that resource competition alone determines breeding habitat selection in this species.

The Main Portal of the Cathedral of Monreale: First Geometric Analysis and Interpretive Assessment of Architectural Features

Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale — 2017 — WHEF5C08E87B7

A detailed 3D model and high-resolution orthophoto of the main portal of Monreale Cathedral reveal intricate sculptural details previously obscured. The study employed close-range photogrammetry to document the portal post-restoration, enabling precise geometric analysis and interpretive assessment of bas-reliefs. Researchers optimized technical solutions for 3D surveying, defining parameters for image acquisition and data processing. This approach enhances the valorization of cultural heritage by providing tools for monitoring conservation status and supporting restoration efforts.

The Making of Assisi: The Pope, the Franciscans, and the Painting of the Basilica by Donal Cooper and Janet Robson

Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites — 2017 — WHE9491E72E14

A groundbreaking re-evaluation of the frescoes in Assisi's Basilica of San Francesco challenges traditional views on patronage and authorship, revealing that the pictorial program was shaped more by local Franciscan leaders—specifically Provincial Ministers and Custodians—than by Pope Nicholas IV or the Curia. Through meticulous prosopographical analysis and a fresh visual examination of the murals' context within the basilica, Cooper and Robson demonstrate that the frescoes evolved dynamically during their creation (1288–1297), reflecting a collaborative workshop driven by intellectual and administrative expertise rooted in Assisi's Franciscan community. This work reframes the role of Nicholas IV as a commissioner rather than a primary influencer, advancing understanding of the frescoes' conceptualization and execution.

The mammalian faunas endemic to the Cerrado and the Caatinga

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2017 — WHE2782E66AF6

A groundbreaking study identifies a previously unrecognized group of mammalian species endemic to both the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, distinct from those found exclusively in either biome. This discovery highlights the unique biogeographic significance of these 'Caatinga-Cerrado endemics,' which face significant but often overlooked extinction risks due to habitat loss and misclassification in the IUCN Red List. Researchers compiled rigorous species accounts by excluding taxa with insufficient evidence, providing critical insights into distribution, conservation status, and taxonomy. The study underscores the urgent need to reassess extinction risk categories for these species, given the rapid transformation of their habitats into agricultural lands, posing a severe threat to biodiversity.

The Mausoleum of Bohemund in Canosa and the Architectural Setting of Ruler Tombs in Norman Italy

Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale — 2017 — WHE08696FB0D7

Research on the Mausoleum of Bohemund in Canosa reveals a consistent pattern in the architectural placement of Norman ruler tombs across Italy, with male rulers' tombs invariably situated on the south side of their respective churches. The study examines the mausoleum's late antique influences and its relationship to the cathedral, suggesting that its design and location may have been inspired by monuments Bohemund encountered during the First Crusade. Additionally, it proposes that Bohemund's original burial arrangement likely mirrored those of his parents in Venosa, indicating a deliberate continuity in funerary practices among Norman rulers.

The Middle Minoan Slipway for Ships at the Kommos Harbour, and Harbour Development in Prehistoric Crete

Minoan Palatial Centres — 2017 — WHEB3DEEEB8A1

A previously overlooked Middle Minoan (MM) slab pavement at Kommos, Crete, has been re-evaluated as a unique slipway for ships, challenging earlier assumptions about its purpose. Unlike typical processional walkways found in Minoan palatial sites—often flat and connecting building complexes—the Kommos pavement slopes consistently toward the water edge, featuring seven evenly spaced gaps (0.15–0.20 m wide) every 2.40 m. Five of these gaps are intentionally aligned, suggesting a functional role in ship handling, likely for sliding vessels in and out of the water. This interpretation is supported by the absence of similar structures elsewhere in Crete, except for a Phaistos walkway with narrow gaps, which may have served as drains. The discovery sheds new light on prehistoric maritime infrastructure and the sophistication of Minoan harbor development.

The Model Do-Di: An Emerging Methodology for the Management of the Relation Between Tourism, Culture and Development

City of Valletta — 2017 — WHE0D1EA5A52B

A paradigm shift in tourism management is proposed, integrating culture and sustainable development to maximize benefits for destinations. The study introduces the 'Model Do-Di,' a methodology combining 111 indicators derived from the Matrix Do-Di (Domains-Dimensions), which assesses the developmental impact of tourism and culture integration. Tested in Valletta as European Capital of Culture 2018, this approach leverages Mode 2's integrative framework and Dovers' dimensions of sustainability to evaluate community benefits, offering a practical tool for cities, including EcoC candidates.

The Monitoring and Analysis of the Chinese Traditional Architecture Painting Decay – the Case of Jilan Pavilion in the Summer Palace

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2017 — WHE901347DB8C

Research on the Jilan Pavilion at Beijing's Summer Palace reveals that illumination, particularly mirror reflection from Kunming Lake, is the primary cause of color decay in traditional Chinese architectural paintings. The study, conducted since 2013, compared two paintings—one facing east and one facing west—painted simultaneously but exhibiting differing decay levels. Using ECOTECT software to simulate light environments, scientists found that the west eave (facing east) experienced higher illumination due to lake reflections, leading to accelerated deterioration. This insight underscores the significance of environmental factors in preserving cultural heritage, offering a data-driven approach to conservation strategies for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The museum and the object: cultural commodities in flux at the museum of Islamic art in Cairo

Historic Cairo — 2017 — WHE1EE167F552

Value within museums is not static but dynamically re-activated during significant political, social, or physical events. Contrary to the notion that object value is suspended in museum settings, this study demonstrates that such moments trigger negotiations and constructions of value through institutional mechanisms like curation, staff, ownership, funding, and the building itself. Focusing on three pivotal moments in the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo—its founding, renovation, and the 2014 bombing—the research reveals how external dynamics reshape the museum's role as both a commodity mediator and an object of value. The study leverages Appadurai’s and Kopytoff’s frameworks to explore these processes, highlighting the fluidity and adaptability of cultural value in response to historical upheavals.

The name is the message: eagle-stones and materia medica in South America

Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville — 2017 — WHE9089D2D0FC

Eagle-stones, an ancient Asian remedy with obstetric uses, underwent a cultural transformation in early modern Europe and Spanish America, evolving from learned medicine to a symbol of popular medical lore. This study traces their 'folklorization' through historical documents, including texts from the Archivo de Indias in Seville, revealing their enduring presence in Latin American materia medica until the early 20th century. The research employs secondary bibliography and archival analysis to dissect the commercial networks and textual references that sustained eagle-stones' significance across centuries and continents.

The Natural Environment of the Ubsunur Hollow and its Anthropogenic Conditionality

Uvs Nuur Basin — 2017 — WHECCF3D03FF1

Ancient human activities in the Uvs Nuur Basin, one of Central Asia's largest arid basins, significantly altered its ecosystem dynamics and climate conditions. Research using remote sensing (Google Earth imagery) and landscape observations identified extensive traces of irrigation agriculture near the Aga-Dag ridge, suggesting past wetter climates with forested landscapes that sustained groundwater levels. Paleobotanical studies further confirmed the presence of forest-steppe environments in the recent past, particularly around Lake Shara-Nur. The study attributes the basin's current desertification primarily to deforestation, driven by human demand for fuel and construction materials, as well as historical conflicts between civilizations. This finding underscores the profound impact of anthropogenic activities on the region's environmental degradation, a pattern observed across broader Asian steppe zones.

The never-ending Quest for the Elites:New Approaches to the Study of Cemeteries and Social Organization

Archaeological Site of Troy — 2017 — WHEE4425D6CCF

A critical reassessment of Early Bronze Age (EBA) cemeteries in Anatolia reveals that the identification of non-urban sites as 'chiefdoms' and the subsequent search for ruling elites based on burial goods may not accurately reflect social organization. This study challenges conventional interpretations by proposing alternative approaches to analyze archaeological data from cemeteries, avoiding the pitfalls of social evolutionary models. While extramural cemeteries are typically associated with small-scale sites like Karataş and Demircihöyük, urban centers such as Troy lack such features, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of social hierarchies during this transitional period (3100/3000-2000 BCE). The research focuses on western Anatolia, excluding eastern regions culturally linked to Mesopotamia.

The new communication network for an internet of everything based security/safety/general management/visitor's services for the Papal Basilica and Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi, Italy

Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites — 2017 — WHE4AE26B03EF

A groundbreaking communication network leveraging the Internet of Everything (IoE) has been successfully implemented at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Papal Basilica and Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi, Italy. This innovative system integrates smart sensors, wearable devices, and data analytics to enhance visitor security, safety, and accessibility, including for individuals with disabilities. The network also supports cultural heritage preservation and operational management for site personnel, such as the Friar's community. By connecting people, things, and processes, this IoE-based solution addresses complex challenges posed by high-traffic sites like Assisi, which attracts millions of pilgrims annually. The study demonstrates how advanced technologies can be harnessed to protect and manage culturally significant locations while improving visitor experiences.

The New Urban Agenda: key opportunities and challenges for policy and practice

City of Quito — 2017 — WHEE91283414E

The New Urban Agenda, emerging from the UN-HABITAT III conference in Quito (2016), introduces Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) to foster inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. This agenda, while promising, risks reductionism by overlooking diverse urban spaces, potentially marginalizing certain areas in global urban policy. The study highlights the need for reflexive awareness to ensure equitable urban development. It examines the implications of this agenda through a critical analysis of its metrics, indicators, and evaluation systems, advocating for a more nuanced approach that considers the complexities of urban environments.

The numbers of the beast: Valuation of jaguar (Panthera onca) tourism and cattle depredation in the Brazilian Pantanal

Pantanal Conservation Area — 2017 — WHEB6B99BD690

Jaguar ecotourism generates approximately US$6.8 million annually in the Brazilian Pantanal, far outweighing the estimated US$121,500 in cattle depredation losses. This study quantifies the economic value of jaguar tourism and contrasts it with livestock damage costs, highlighting a significant financial incentive for conserving jaguars on private ranches. Researchers analyzed land-use revenue from ecotourism and cattle predation data to demonstrate how voluntary tourist donations could compensate ranchers for depredation, fostering coexistence between traditional livelihoods and wildlife conservation. The findings underscore the potential of tourism as a powerful tool for promoting jaguar conservation while mitigating rural-urban conflicts.

The Order of the Kushite Kings According to Sources from the Eastern Desert and Thebes. Or: Shabataka was here first!

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2017 — WHE3E5C9E35C4

A new analysis of prosopographic, archaeological, and epigraphic data from the Eastern Desert and Thebes challenges the traditional chronological order of the first two Kushite kings of Egypt's Twenty-Fifth Dynasty. Contrary to the long-held belief that Shabaka established the dynasty by defeating Bocchoris, this study presents compelling evidence supporting Bányai’s 2013 proposal that Shabataka preceded Shabaka as the founder and opponent of Bocchoris. Key insights emerge from a detailed examination of Kushite Nile Level Records at Karnak, reinforcing the revised sequence 'Shabaka—Shabataka.' This revision reshapes our understanding of early Kushite rule in Egypt.

The origin and evolution of Iskanderkul Lake in the western Tien Shan and related geomorphic hazards

Western Tien-Shan — 2017 — WHE84E0C34D2D

A massive rockslide, the Kchazormech, with a volume of approximately 1 km³, blocked the Iskanderdarja river valley during the Middle Holocene, leading to the formation of a large palaeolake known as Iskanderkul. This palaeolake suddenly decreased in size by 83% in volume and 65% in areal extent, releasing about 0.84 ± 0.1 km³ of water. The current Iskanderkul Lake is a remnant of this much larger palaeolake. Recent geomorphic activities, including slope movements and erosion, have led to the formation of a bypass gorge. The study also outlines current geomorphic hazards and discusses the future evolution of Iskanderkul Lake in the context of ongoing climate change, suggesting that lakes in the Tien Shan may have relatively low longevity.

The Origin of Venice According to the City’s Chronicle Tradition and the “Venetian Myth”

Venice and its Lagoon — 2017 — WHE2547CBC7C0

Venice's self-perception as a unique island state with a glorious past, rooted in myth and chronicle traditions from the 10th to the 20th century, was solidified by the 16th century. This study reveals how Venice strategically 'appropriated' its ancient origins—linking itself to Trojan foundations and imperial heritage—to construct a powerful cultural narrative. The 'Venetian Myth' emphasized its unparalleled geographic location, economic dominance as a global trade hub, innovative republican governance, and artistic prestige. Through analysis of historiographic and artistic sources, the research demonstrates how this myth evolved from humble beginnings during the Migration Period into a complex ideological framework that persisted even after the fall of the republic in 1797.

The Osario of Chichen Itza

Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza — 2017 — WHE0CF0C4B06F

Research on the Osario of Chichen Itza reveals that this radial temple, coeval with the Temple of the Warriors, symbolized Flower Mountain—a sacred place of abundance and afterlife for warriors. The study combines early 20th-century explorations with recent INAH excavations to propose that the cave beneath the temple served as a final resting place for cremated warrior remains, aligning with central Mexican funeral traditions. This interpretation suggests the Osario was not only an architectural parallel to the Castillo but also a significant cultural and spiritual site, rewarding warriors for their contributions to trade and economic prosperity.