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Publications

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An Ethnoarchaeological Study of Stone Quarrying Techniques in Historical Anuradhapura

Sacred City of Anuradhapura — 2016 — WHE1188418142

Stone quarrying techniques in ancient Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, reveal advanced methods of block extraction through artificial fracturing. Researchers found that quarry workers exploited natural foliations and weathering fractures, then created additional splits by channeling, heating, or applying percussion pressure to the bedrock surface. A key innovation involved chiselled holes set along targeted areas, often leaving distinctive half-holes in separated fragments—a technique still observed in contemporary stone craftsmanship. By analyzing these patterns alongside interviews with traditional craftsmen, the study estimated the time and tools required for splitting, offering new insights into the efficiency of ancient quarrying practices.

An evaluation of soil retention potential as an important factor of water balance in the landscape

Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments — 2016 — WHE516CC06779

Researchers have developed a novel model to assess soil water retention capacity (CWRC) using parameters compatible with Slovakia's vector database of classified soil-ecological units. This model addresses gaps in existing pedotransfer functions (PTF), which rely on readily available data like particle size and organic carbon but often lack precision for complex evaluations. The study presents a spatial distribution of CWRC, highlighting its significance as a critical factor in landscape water balance. Case studies from Levoča and Hriňová demonstrate the model's practical application, offering insights into soil hydrological dynamics. This approach bridges statistical estimation with ecological mapping, providing a more accurate tool for understanding soil-water interactions in Slovak landscapes.

An innovative hybrid-electric small passenger craft for the sustainable mobility in the Venice Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon — 2016 — WHE507B31CDFB

Researchers have developed a hybrid-electric small passenger craft designed to reduce environmental impact and energy consumption in the Venice Lagoon. The craft features an innovative hullform that minimizes wave generation, thereby lowering its effect on nearby buildings and improving energy efficiency. Additionally, it incorporates a Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) Integrated Power System enabling zero-emission navigation under certain conditions. This design addresses the urgent need for sustainable mobility solutions in high-tourist areas, particularly where traditional public transport relies heavily on water-based vehicles.

An innovative model of park governance: evidence from Vietnam

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park — 2016 — WHE322DF21F6C

Vietnam's transition from state-led to multi-component park governance, driven by the 2006 Special-Use Forests policy, showcases a unique model where public and private sectors share responsibilities. This study highlights how Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park exemplifies this shift, demonstrating effective co-existing management that balances tourism, recreation, and conservation. The research evaluates the model's structure, functionality, and potential global applicability, offering insights into adaptive governance strategies for protected areas. By analyzing power distribution among stakeholders, the study provides a framework for regions seeking sustainable park management solutions.

An introduction to the Mesozoic biotas of Scandinavia and its Arctic territories

Stevns Klint — 2016 — WHEDF9EE31455

Scandinavia and its Arctic territories host some of the most significant Mesozoic fossil deposits globally, offering unparalleled insights into the region's rich biodiversity during this era. Notably, the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Stevns Klint in Denmark provides one of the most complete Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary sections worldwide, while other key sites like Svalbard and the Kristianstad Basin in Sweden have revealed exceptional fossiliferous Lagerstätten. These deposits document diverse marine palaeocommunities, including benthic macroinvertebrates, pelagic cephalopods, chondrichthyans, actinopterygians, and aquatic amniotes such as ichthyopterygians and mosasauroids. Terrestrial plant remains, including exceptionally preserved carbonized flowers, further enrich the fossil record, occasionally accompanied by faunal traces like temnospondyl bones and dinosaur footprints. Despite substantial progress in research over the past 15 years, significant gaps remain, underscoring the potential for future discoveries that could deepen our understanding of Mesozoic life and environments.

An inventory of county-level biodiversity in Northwest Yunnan

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas — 2016 — WHE55EA0B881F

Northwest Yunnan, particularly within the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, exhibits exceptional biodiversity richness, with Yulong County standing out as a hotspot for both vegetation formations and species diversity. The region boasts 108 distinct vegetation formations in Yulong alone, surpassing other counties, and harbors over 4,550 higher plant species, 625 vertebrates, and 222 macro-fungi, with notable proportions of endemic species—up to 50% for plants and 17% for animals. This comprehensive county-level inventory, conducted between 2010 and 2011 by Chinese research institutions, serves as a critical baseline for understanding biodiversity patterns in this globally significant area. The study underscores the urgent need for large-scale biodiversity assessments to inform conservation strategies, particularly within China's designated Biodiversity Priority Areas.

An irreconcilable first-place: the precarious life of tourism and heritage in a southern European historic centre

Historic Centre of Naples — 2016 — WHEDA173ACFAE

Naples' historic center embodies a precarious duality, where heritage tourism intersects with local life, evoking both anxiety and liberation. Unlike conventional narratives of gentrification or museumification, this study reveals that the area's allure lies in its affective experience—mixing excitement and foreboding—rather than monumental grandeur. Through three case studies—a bus tour, online reactions to a New York Times article, and local perceptions of a pedestrianized piazza—the research demonstrates how tourism here is shaped by contradictory emotions, challenging assumptions about the inevitable transformation of historic centers under visitor economies.

An Ontology-Based Augmented Reality Application Exploring Contextual Data of Cultural Heritage Sites

Changdeokgung Palace Complex — 2016 — WHEFDC6251C0E

A groundbreaking Augmented Reality (AR) application enhances the exploration of cultural heritage sites by integrating rich, contextual data through an ontology-based framework. Unlike conventional AR systems that display basic Point of Interest (POI) information, this application links tangible and intangible heritages, providing users with detailed insights such as creators and historical events tied to specific locations. Implemented for Changdeokgung Palace Complex in South Korea, the system aggregates heterogeneous data into themes and relationships, offering a more immersive and informative experience. User studies validated its effectiveness, suggesting potential improvements for heritage site visits and future AR applications.

An ornithological survey of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Gunung Mulu National Park — 2016 — WHE367037F670

A comprehensive ornithological survey of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, recorded 244 bird species across its elevational gradient from 50 to 1,850 meters, including 32 species not previously documented in the park's checklists from 1979–82. This study highlights the rich avian diversity of this isolated, biodiverse site, characterized by its spectacular limestone structures and extensive primary forest. Researchers employed a combination of observation and mist-netting techniques over a 2.5-month period to document species distribution and compare findings with historical data, providing new insights into the park's ornithological composition.

An unusual funerary figurine of the early 18th Dynasty

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2016 — WHE43BB7D659E

A rare funerary figurine from early 18th Dynasty Egypt, housed in the British Museum since 1915, offers new insights into ancient Theban burial practices. This unique wooden artifact fuses elements of an anthropoid coffin and a shabti (servant) figure, suggesting a conceptual merging that enhanced its magical efficacy for resurrection and funerary cults. Stylistic analysis indicates it likely originated from the Theban necropolis, though its provenance remains unrecorded. An inscription suggests dedication by a relative, possibly Senty-resti's son, highlighting the role of family in mortuary rites. This discovery sheds light on the evolving symbolism and function of funerary objects during this period.

Análisis arquitectónico y constructivo de la techumbre en madera policromada de la iglesia de San Antonio Abad de Valencia como pervivencia de la arquitectura tardogótica mediterránea en la Valencia del siglo XV.

Mudejar Architecture of Aragon — 2016 — WHEE807430078

A rare survival of late medieval craftsmanship, the polychrome wooden roof of San Antonio Abad Church in Valencia has been revealed as a masterful example of Gothic Mudejar architecture from 15th-century Valencia. This study deciphers its construction techniques and material evolution, tracing its origins to 1409–1446 under Alfonso V the Magnanimous and surviving intact until 1987 despite neoclassical transformations in 1765–1768. Through detailed analysis of the roof's structure, pigments, and joinery—including the preservation of heraldic elements—the research reconstructs its historical behavior, sheds light on Mudejar adaptation to Mediterranean Gothic forms, and underscores its significance as an almost unknown heritage site within Valencia's medieval urban fabric.

Analisis de la participación de las comunidades locales en la gestión de sitios Patrimonio de la Humanidad. El caso del Parque Arqueológico de Petra (Jordania).

Petra — 2016 — WHE649B3A1442

A study on the Petra Archaeological Park, Jordan, reveals that while community participation in heritage management offers significant benefits—such as improved conservation policies, economic benefit distribution, and visitor satisfaction—it remains limited due to centralized power structures, lack of local training, and cultural barriers. The research highlights that participatory instruments, conflict resolution, and equitable benefit-sharing can enhance relationships between authorities and communities but notes that Petra is still in an early stage of implementation. Cultural traditions also hinder women's involvement, underscoring the need for balanced strategies to integrate conservation, tourism, and local development effectively.

Analogous Urbanism as Discourse. Robert Adam and Urban Space in Contemporary Split

Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian — 2016 — WHE40DBDE268B

A comparative analysis of Robert Adam's neoclassical interpretations of Diocletian's Palace and contemporary urban spaces in Split reveals an adaptable archetype for peripheral areas. This research, building on Ivana Sverko's original approach, applies Adam's architectural philosophy—derived from his 1754-1758 Grand Tour—to marginalized urban environments in modern Split, including illegally built and unplanned spaces. By integrating historical and empirical methodologies, the study identifies hidden spatial qualities in runaway development zones, offering insights for urban planning that prioritize immediate inhabitants' needs over formal design principles.

Analysing land cover and land use change in the Matobo National Park and surroundings in Zimbabwe

Matobo Hills — 2016 — WHEF81F805C38

A study analyzing land cover and use changes in Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe, reveals that while the park's composition remained stable from 1989 to 2014, surrounding areas experienced significant shifts. Forest coverage increased by approximately 7% outside the park, particularly on common lands, where agricultural areas decreased due to the Fast Track Land Reform of the early 2000s. The research used Landsat images and supervised classification with Random Forests, supplemented by recent observations and change detection, to identify four land cover classes: shrubland, forest, patchy vegetation, and agricultural areas. This approach demonstrates that combining recent data with change detection can effectively study the temporal dynamics of protected areas.

Analysis of an urban design competition: The case of Edirne/Selimiye and the discussion of “vehicular road in a historic core”

Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex — 2016 — WHE2F2EBCDD37

A contentious urban design competition for Edirne’s Selimiye Mosque, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece by Mimar Sinan, revealed deep divisions over integrating vehicular roads in historic cores. The debate, sparked by the 2010 competition, challenged conventional practices and exposed tensions between preservation, mobility, and modern urban planning. Analyzing jury-architect interactions, the study highlights how such competitions can serve as platforms for critical discourse on conservation ethics and disciplinary institutionalization. This case suggests that process-oriented evaluations of design contests could strengthen urban planning standards in heritage contexts.

Analysis of building structures and valorization of cultural heritage in Jeddah (KSA)

Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah — 2016 — WHE64C4DCF0A4

Historic Jeddah, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, showcases unique architectural resilience through its coral stone construction. This study reveals that the city's buildings, characterized by plastered coral stone blocks reinforced with wooden beams, effectively mitigate environmental stressors despite their vulnerability to erosion. The research highlights how south-facing facades, prone to high irradiation, are shielded by cantilevers and deep window soffits, demonstrating adaptive design strategies for desert urban settings. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of localized conservation efforts, supplemented by expertise from abroad, to sustain this cultural heritage. The findings underscore the significance of courtyard layouts and tight building positioning in optimizing thermal comfort and resource efficiency.

Analysis of drip water in an urban karst cave beneath the Hungarian capital (Budapest)

Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue — 2016 — WHE74F406A2A3

Urban pollution significantly alters the natural hydrochemical processes in karst caves, as demonstrated by a study of drip water in Budapest's Pál-völgyi Cave System. Researchers found that anthropogenic factors—such as de-icing agents and reduced land cover—dominate water quality at shallow, fractured sites (TG), whereas deeper, tectonically stable areas (YC) retain stronger natural periodicity linked to karst processes. Time-series analysis revealed that while pH and redox potential (Eh) showed mature diurnal cycles at both sites, electrical conductivity exhibited far less periodic behavior in polluted zones (21% vs. 56% at YC). These findings highlight the vulnerability of urban caves to human activity, offering critical insights for conservation efforts.

Analysis of Mortar Used in Sheesh Mahal Pond in Lahore Fort, Pakistan

Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore — 2016 — WHEB8384E7283

Research on the mortar used in the Sheesh Mahal Pond of Lahore Fort, Pakistan, reveals a unique composition that reflects Mughal engineering practices during Emperor Shah Jahan's reign (1630-1658). The study found that the mortar was a variable mixture of burnt lime, phyllosilicates, and fine Ravi Sand. Notably, local kankar (a sedimentary rock) near Lahore was identified as a key component, consisting of 70% calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and 30% clay with sand impurities. The analysis further determined the optimal ratio for the mortar's durability: an average mixture of 1.0 part sand to 1.3 parts fine kankar and 1.5 parts coarse kankar. This study utilized qualitative, quantitative, mechanical, and instrumental techniques, including petrographic studies and X-Ray Diffraction Analysis, providing insights into the material science behind one of Pakistan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Analysis of nutritional quality and food digestibility in male Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) in Ujung Kulon National Park

Ujung Kulon National Park — 2016 — WHE8FF0CA466F

A critical insight from this study is that the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus), the rarest rhino species, may face nutritional limitations in Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP). Despite preferring certain food plants like Leea sambucina and Zanthoxylum rhetsa, these were not among the most nutritious options available in their habitat. This mismatch suggests that the rhinos' diet might be nutritionally suboptimal, potentially leading to seasonal shortages of key nutrients such as fat. The research employed a novel method using acid-insoluble ash (AIA) content in feces to estimate food digestibility, which proved reliable for tracking nutrient intake without requiring total fecal collection. The study also found strong correlations between home range size and both food diversity and wallow hole usage, indicating that habitat quality and nutritional availability significantly influence the rhinos' behavior and population density. These findings underscore the need for targeted habitat improvement, such as planting highly nutritious plants, to support the survival of this critically endangered species.

Analysis of the Changing Landscape of a World Heritage Site: Case of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

Town of Luang Prabang — 2016 — WHEAA54AE2244

Rapid development and tourism growth have significantly transformed the built environment of Luang Prabang. A study using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) identified four key changes between 1999 and 2009: a shift from residential to touristic use, particularly guesthouses; replacement of modern architecture with Lao traditional styles; substitution of modern building materials with traditional ones; and the adoption of traditional roof materials over modern alternatives. These findings were derived from indicators in the Safeguarding and Preservation Plan (PSMV) and stakeholder perspectives, providing critical insights for managing heritage values amid inevitable urban evolution.