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‘When Going to Saint James’: An Old Russian Graffito from the 12th Century in Aquitania

Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) — 2016 — WHE0064F5CABF

A significant epigraphic discovery from the 12th century provides direct evidence of Russian pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela. An Old Russian graffito, inscribed by Ivan Zavidovich on the wall of St. Vivien church in Pons (France), reads: 'Ivan Zavidovich wrote this when going to Saint James.' The inscription, dated to the 1160s–1180s, is the second such finding in France and offers valuable insights into medieval pilgrimage routes and cultural exchanges between Eastern Europe and Western Christendom. The study combines palaeographic analysis with historical context, linking the name Zavidovich to Novgorod boyars and highlighting the shrine's prominence in Old Russia.

"H2Ride" Fuel Cell Plug-in Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hydrogen Fueling Demonstration Project on the Big Island of Hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — 2016 — WHE920B416338

A hydrogen fuel cell shuttle bus, 'H2Ride,' successfully demonstrated the viability of clean energy transportation at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The project, led by the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, showcased how hydrogen infrastructure can support zero-emission shuttles, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in remote areas. Researchers also explored the feasibility of hydrogen fueling stations on the Big Island, assessing logistical and environmental impacts. This demonstration highlighted the potential for hydrogen as a sustainable energy source in transportation, particularly in regions with limited access to traditional fuel infrastructure.

“Daytsh iz dokh Yidish:” Sholem Aleichem’s Motl the Cantor’s Son as Born-Translated Literature

L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre — 2016 — WHEE4E7C0EF12

Sholem Aleichem's unfinished story cycle 'Motl the Cantor’s Son' challenges traditional narratives of Jewish diaspora literature, revealing the linguistic and ideological complexities of Eastern European Jewish life on the eve of the First World War. The study highlights how Sholem Aleichem's works, often perceived as evoking a lost shtetl world, were also deeply engaged with contemporary Zionist movements and multilingual Jewish communities. By analyzing the story cycle, which traces the journey of a widow and her children from Ukraine to America, the research underscores the tragic demise of Eastern European Jewish life through the lens of Motl's comic yet poignant observations. This approach disrupts simplistic oppositions between persecution in the 'Old Country' and renewal in America, offering a nuanced perspective on language, territory, and identity in world literature.

“Romantic Auschwitz”: examples and perceptions of contemporary visitor photography at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945) — 2016 — WHE81B8F2D9EF

Contemporary visitor photography at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum reveals diverse motivations and ethical dilemmas, particularly surrounding 'selfies.' The study identifies key reasons for photographing the site, including personal reflection, documentation, and social media sharing. It highlights the tension between individual expression and the solemn nature of the location, shedding light on how digitalization and social media influence visitor behavior at this significant historical site.

“The Benefits of Their Liberty”:Race and the Eurafricans of Gorée in Eighteenth-Century French Guiana

Island of Gorée — 2016 — WHE5FB19DFCC3

A pivotal moment in the evolution of racial ideology within French colonialism is revealed through the case of Eurafricans from Gorée, who arrived in French Guiana in 1768. These individuals, seeking to challenge their classification as free people of color and instead claim elite status, sparked a debate between two opposing viewpoints: an insular racialist perspective that upheld essentialist beliefs about African character and abilities, and a continental pragmatism that allowed for the possibility of change based on skin tone. The final decision by Louis XVI in favor of the Goréens represented a limited victory for the more nuanced 'continental' view, demonstrating how strategic and geopolitical considerations could temper rigid racial ideologies in peripheral colonial spaces.

”At præsentere sig selv” – Stifterfigurerne i Naumburg og psykehistorie

Naumburg Cathedral — 2016 — WHEC16A52C498

A novel interpretation of the Naumburg Cathedral's founder statues reveals their stylistic and psychological significance within medieval art. The study proposes that these lifelike yet historically inaccurate sculptures reflect a psychogenetic dialectic, shaped by courtly culture's educational ideals and its interplay with religious thought. By reidentifying the Sizzo figure and analyzing the Naumburg Master's rhetorical techniques, the research situates this ensemble as a visual representation of emerging Gothic style, blending medieval and ancient influences. This approach suggests that the statues' expressions and relationships symbolize a new 'mental architecture,' marking a shift in artistic and cultural paradigms during the 12th century.

(Re)categorization as Resistance: Civil Society Mobilizations Around the Preah Vihear Temple

Temple of Preah Vihear — 2016 — WHEF36F82B390

Civil society mobilizations around the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Preah Vihear Temple—a 9th-century Khmer temple straddling Cambodia and Thailand—can be understood as acts of resistance through (re)categorization. Unlike traditional resistance studies that focus on textual or symbolic elements, this research highlights the significance of physical and material entities in shaping discourses and fostering resistance. By analyzing the temple’s contested borders and its role in national identity narratives, the study demonstrates how matter plays a crucial part in reconstructing political and cultural discourses. This approach offers a novel perspective on how civil society leverages materiality to challenge established power structures.

(Urban) sustainability in practice: Insights from the Veneto region

City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto — 2016 — WHE37FCF30E6C

The Veneto region, long recognized as Italy's economic powerhouse, faces significant sustainability challenges due to rapid transformations driven by globalization, environmental pressures, and shifting social dynamics. A study of Vicenza, a medium-sized city in the region, reveals that while sustainability is increasingly emphasized in regional planning and local discourse, its implementation remains complex and multifaceted. The research adopts a pragmatic approach, analyzing urban transformation through a multi-scalar lens, examining decision-making processes related to environmental issues—particularly land consumption—and the role of mega-projects in shaping the city's future. This work highlights the tension between traditional governance structures and emerging configurations, offering insights into how sustainability can be practically integrated into urban planning amid evolving regional dynamics.

Our land is our voice: First Nation heritage-making in the Tr’ondëk/Klondike

Tr’ondëk-Klondike — 2016 — WHE331ECA9C78

First Nations communities, such as the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in of northwestern Canada, have employed heritage-making strategies to assert territorial sovereignty and preserve cultural identity amid settler colonialism. This study highlights how the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, through treaty advocacy, cultural expression, and support for residential school survivors, have resisted Western heritage narratives while adapting their own traditions. The research demonstrates that continuous heritage-making enables Indigenous communities to navigate modernity while maintaining autonomy and identity. Approaches included analyzing historical records, interviews, and cultural instruments developed by the community.

Palaeoamyda messeliananov. comb. (Testudines, Pan-Trionychidae) from the Eocene Messel Pit and Geiseltal localities, Germany, taxonomic and phylogenetic insights

Messel Pit Fossil Site — 2016 — WHEA716592F1E

A new combination, Palaeoamyda messeliana nov. comb., is proposed for soft-shell turtle specimens from the Eocene Messel Pit and Geiseltal localities in Germany, previously attributed to Trionyx messelianus or Rafetoides austriacus. This species is revealed as a sister taxon to the extant Asian soft-shell turtle Amyda cartilaginea, both belonging to the clade Chitrini. The study describes five well-preserved specimens, providing a revised diagnosis and integrating phylogenetic insights into Pan-Trionychidae. These fossils represent some of the most complete pan-trionychid skeletons known, offering significant taxonomic and evolutionary perspectives on this group.

Perestroika to Parkland: The Evolution of Land Protection in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan

Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) — 2016 — WHE0F4FE00BC4

Tajik National Park, located in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan, has undergone significant transformation from a depopulated landscape during Stalin's era to a thriving protected area. The study highlights that the park's establishment in 1992 and its subsequent designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 were driven by a combination of natural resilience and human advocacy. The research, based on field and archival data, traces the evolution of land protection from Soviet restrictions to post-perestroika migration and conservation efforts. It also identifies the park's potential for transboundary conservation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, aligning with the Man and the Biosphere model.

24.000 ha de paduri primare de fag, propunerea Romaniei pentru Patrimoniul Mondial UNESCO

Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe — 2016 — WHE8C6D3E5AD1

Romania's proposal to extend the UNESCO World Heritage List with approximately 24,000 hectares of primeval beech forests, located across eight protected areas in the Romanian Carpathians, aims to create a transnational serial property encompassing over 95,000 hectares. This initiative, supported by 13 European countries and coordinated by Austria, seeks to illustrate the ecological process of beech expansion across Europe. The selected sites were chosen to complement existing World Heritage properties and provide a more comprehensive representation of the species' distribution. The nomination, submitted in January 2016, reflects a collaborative effort to highlight the ecological significance and conservation value of these ancient forests.

3D Digital Models for Scientific Purpose

Villa Adriana (Tivoli) — 2016 — WHE1AB55ABD3F

Advanced 3D digital modeling techniques offer a reliable method for analyzing and reconstructing complex historical structures, particularly those with deteriorated or altered conservation states. This approach was successfully applied to the Octagonal Hall of Small Baths at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, Italy—a monument renowned for its intricate vault designs and innovative building techniques. By integrating reverse modeling procedures with standard design analysis and archaeological investigation protocols, researchers demonstrated how detailed digital reconstructions can provide scientifically grounded insights into the original construction methods and structural integrity of such sites. The study highlights the potential of these models to support accurate conservation efforts and historical interpretation.

3D Documentation of 40 Kilometers of Historical Porticoes – The Challenge

The Porticoes of Bologna — 2016 — WHE8CF8C0D05E

Terrestrial photogrammetry emerged as the optimal method for 3D documentation of Bologna's 40-kilometer historical porticoes, offering unmatched flexibility and productivity. This approach generates high-precision colored point clouds and textured 3D meshes, crucial for the porticoes' potential UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) candidacy. The study evaluated multiple surveying techniques, ultimately selecting photogrammetry for its ability to deliver detailed digital products accessible online. These 3D models serve as complementary documentation, bridging historical preservation with modern digital archiving.

3D inversion of irregular gridded 2D electrical resistivity tomography lines: Application to sinkhole mapping at the Island of Corfu (West Greece)

Old Town of Corfu — 2016 — WHE312588979E

A novel approach for the 3D inversion of irregularly gridded 2D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) lines significantly enhances subsurface imaging, offering more accurate and flexible mapping compared to traditional quasi-3D methods. This study demonstrates that full 3D inversion can correctly locate and shape targets not directly beneath measured lines, as validated by synthetic data tests. Applied to the Old Town of Corfu, this method revealed critical insights into sinkhole structures linked to gypsum, elucidating potential formation mechanisms. The findings underscore the practical advantages of 3D interpretation for field surveys, improving both subsurface imaging and survey design flexibility.

3D structural model and kinematic interpretation of the Panixer Pass Transverse Zone (Infrahelvetic Complex, eastern Switzerland)

Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona — 2016 — WHEEB7C0A6781

A groundbreaking 3D structural model of the Panixer Pass Transverse Zone in eastern Switzerland reveals that the SSE-trending Crena-Martin Fold, a key feature of the Infrahelvetic Complex, was formed by multiple lateral ramps and fault-bend folds during an early thrust-dominated deformation phase (Cavistrau Phase). Contrary to previous hypotheses, this study demonstrates that ENE-WSW-directed shortening did not play a role in its formation. The model also shows that the final geometry of the zone resulted from a low-angle dextral strike-slip fault cutting across it. Field data indicates continuous NNW-directed shearing and transport, except for an early phase of north-directed shearing linked to foliation development in the Helvetic Nappes. This kinematic block model integrates seamlessly with established deformation sequences, providing a comprehensive understanding of the region's complex tectonic evolution.

A 36,000-Year-Old Volcanic Eruption Depicted in the Chauvet-Pont d’Arc Cave (Ardèche, France)?

Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche — 2016 — WHE81110832AC

Researchers have identified the oldest known depiction of a volcanic eruption, dating back approximately 36,000 years, within the Decorated Cave of Pont d'Arc (Grotte Chauvet-Pont d'Arc) in Ardèche, France. The study documents strombolian volcanic activity that occurred between 29 ± 10 ka and 35 ± 8 ka, located about 35 km northwest of the cave. This activity was visible from the hills above the cave entrance, suggesting that humans living in the Ardèche river area likely witnessed these eruptions. The findings overlap with the dates of the first Aurignacian occupations in the Megaloceros Gallery, as determined by 14C AMS and thermoluminescence dating. The spray-shape signs in the cave, which may represent volcanic activity, predate other notable depictions, such as Pliny the Younger's description of Vesuvius (AD 79) and the Çatalhöyük mural in Turkey, by over 34,000 and 28,000 years, respectively. The study provides evidence of intense volcanic activity in the Bas-Vivarais region during this period.

A basal ceratopsid (Centrosaurinae: Nasutoceratopsini) from the Oldman Formation (Campanian) of Alberta, Canada

Dinosaur Provincial Park — 2016 — WHE732AD7D77D

Researchers have identified a new subclade of centrosaurine ceratopsids, Nasutoceratopsini, from the Oldman Formation in Alberta, Canada. This discovery, based on a partial skull (CMN 8804), challenges previous assumptions about dinosaur provinciality in Laramidia during the Campanian stage. The new clade is characterized by distinct features such as a parietosquamosal frill lacking modified epimarginals, a small nasal horncore, and large rostrolaterally directed postorbital horncores. While its exact phylogenetic position remains unresolved, the presence of Nasutoceratopsini in both Alberta and Utah suggests a broader distribution than previously thought, potentially indicating different ecological preferences or misidentification of fragmentary remains. This finding weakens the hypothesis of distinct north and south Laramidian provinciality.

A brief history of exploration in Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico, USA

Carlsbad Caverns National Park — 2016 — WHE048D7FE760

Lechuguilla Cave, located within Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, USA, stands as one of the most extensive cave systems globally, surpassing 222 kilometers in mapped length and reaching a depth of 475 meters. Discovered initially as a small guano pit in the early 20th century, systematic exploration began in the 1980s after significant airflow was detected. The cave's complex three-dimensional structure, characterized by parallel branches trending west/southwest to east/northeast and deep rift features, was shaped by sulfuric-acid speleogenesis, creating remarkable speleothems and earning it the nickname 'the Jewel of the Underground.' Over four decades, international teams of cavers have mapped its extensive passages, with recent efforts focusing on tight crawls and fissures. The cave's ongoing exploration continues to yield significant discoveries, driven by multi-day expeditions and advanced cartographic techniques, promising further revelations for speleo-scientists.

A Bronze Steelyard with an Acorn-Shaped Counterweight from the Paphos Agora

Paphos — 2016 — WHEB11847D2E0

A Bronze Steelyard with an Acorn-Shaped Counterweight from the Paphos Agora reveals evidence of a local island weighting system distinct from the Roman pound (libra). The discovery, made during excavations at Nea Paphos' agora by the Department of Classical Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonian University, includes a bronze steelyard, an acorn-shaped counterweight, and fragments of chain and hooks. This Pompeian-type steelyard, dated to the 1st century AD by analogy with other examples, demonstrates the use of a lever-based weighing device in Roman and Byzantine periods, offering insights into ancient trade practices and measurement standards.