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Gli uccelli a Shahr-I Sokhta (Iran):buoni da mangiare, buoni per lavorare

Shahr-i Sokhta — 2025 — WHEEBB83EB893

At Shahr-i Sokhta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Iran, birds played a significant but underappreciated role during the Bronze Age. While their contribution to diet was minimal—dominated by species like the coot (Fulica atra) and tufted duck (Aythia ferina)—their long bones were crafted into specialized tools, possibly used for decorating pottery. The discovery of these tools, along with production waste, sheds light on ancient manufacturing techniques. Notably, the presence of non-edible cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) bones in urban contexts suggests a rudimentary form of domestication, potentially for fishing in shallow waters. This finding, derived from archaeozoological analyses conducted as part of the MAIPS project, challenges conventional views on the economic significance of birds in ancient societies.

Glimpses into Real Life

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System — 2025 — WHEE620663969

The Qhapaq Ñan, or 'The Royal Road,' stands as a testament to the Inca Empire's advanced engineering, spanning 770,000 square miles without reliance on wheels or draft animals. This intricate road network, built over centuries with paved sections, stairways, bridges, and drainage systems, facilitated trade, communication, and unity across the empire, reaching its peak in the 15th century. The study highlights the system's meticulous planning and maintenance, offering insights into how ancient civilizations achieved such monumental feats of infrastructure without modern technology.

Global biogeographic patterns of the genus Indigofera (Fabaceae: Indigofereae)

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape — 2025 — WHE3E9F7C096F

A comprehensive phylogenetic and biogeographic analysis of the genus Indigofera (Fabaceae) reveals that the tribe Indigofereae originated in the Africa-Madagascar region around 38 million years ago, with mainland Africa serving as the primary diversification center. The study, based on a newly assembled ITS phylogeny, identifies four main clades—Cape, Tethyan, Pantropical, and Paleotropical—with the Cape Clade being narrowly endemic to the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of southwestern South Africa, while the others exhibit broader global distributions. Long-distance dispersals from Africa to South America, Australia, and Asia occurred during the late Miocene, facilitated by arid corridors in northeastern Africa and Arabia. The research underscores the critical role of the global Succulent biome in shaping Indigofera's biogeographic patterns, highlighting its influence on dispersal and diversification.

Global Governance in the Management of Komodo National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Komodo National Park — 2025 — WHE22A9BF51BB

Balancing conservation with sustainable tourism development is crucial for the long-term preservation of Komodo National Park. This study reveals that effective global governance, involving coordination among international organizations like WWF and UNESCO, national authorities, and local communities, can mitigate challenges such as illegal activities and habitat degradation. Advanced technologies, including satellite and drone surveillance, play a pivotal role in monitoring ecosystem health and enforcing conservation measures. The research highlights the importance of integrated approaches, such as zonation strategies and ecotourism training programs for locals, in safeguarding the park's ecological and cultural value while supporting economic growth. Qualitative methods, including literature reviews and document analysis, were employed to assess these governance dynamics.

Göbekli Tepe − Bauforschung in den Anlagen C und E in den Jahren 2010–2012

Göbekli Tepe — 2025 — WHEB3C8D2BD7F

Excavations at Göbekli Tepe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest known human-made religious sites, have revealed new insights into its construction phases. Research conducted between 2010 and 2012 in Structures C and E uncovered the bedrock foundation exposed in 2008 and explored areas between outer ring walls to assess the feasibility of a protective roof. These findings enabled a more detailed differentiation of the site's stratigraphy, particularly Layer III, providing crucial evidence for understanding its architectural evolution. The study employed rigorous archaeological methods to analyze structural layers, offering deeper context for Göbekli Tepe's significance as a precursor to Neolithic temple complexes.

Going Global

Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae — 2025 — WHE0AB109EF00

The obfuscation of white supremacy is deeply embedded in the technopolitical foundations of the UNESCO World Heritage List, which was enabled by the mass displacement of Nubians in Upper Egypt during the 1960s and 1970s. The dismantling and transport of Abu Simbel and Philae temples, led by American and European engineers, largely disregarded displaced residents but laid the groundwork for the World Heritage List. Institutional efforts in the 1980s aimed to address the overrepresentation of European sites by increasing recognition of 20th-century sites, particularly in the Global South. This study reveals how DOCOMOMO, a European-based modernist-preservation advocacy organization, contributed to the institutionalization of narrative strategies that facilitated the inclusion of white cities on the World Heritage List. The collaboration with DOCOMOMO established the conditions for adding such cities, extending institutional transformations from the 1980s into the 1990s and 2000s.

Going straight in a sacred landscape: the Great Hopewell Road

Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks — 2025 — WHE58879BCFDF

A definitive analysis confirms the existence of the Great Hopewell Road, a ceremonial double-walled straight road connecting the Newark Earthworks to the Hopewell Heartland, 90 km away. Using LiDAR and satellite imagery combined with archaeoastronomy methods, researchers propose that this road was part of a unified sacred landscape project, positioning Newark as a 'cosmic' pilgrimage center within the Hopewell culture's network. The study strengthens the understanding of the symbolic significance and connectivity of these ancient geometric earthworks.

Goldfunde aus dem Heraion von Samos

Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos — 2025 — WHEF4A1676BF0

Recent excavations at the Heraion of Samos, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos, have uncovered significant quantities of gold fragments, expanding the known collection substantially. Unlike similar findings from the Artemision of Ephesos, these discoveries primarily consist of gold foil pieces and fewer gold strip fragments, with minimal representation of jewelry or small sculptures. The foils, interpreted as ornamental or floral decorations for lost carrier objects—possibly textiles—offer new insights into ancient decorative practices. This study highlights the underappreciated role of such materials in archaeological research, providing a unique perspective on the cultural and ritual significance of gold in ancient Greek sites.

Gorillas are arboreal apes

Virunga National Park — 2025 — WHEBA25C0362E

Gorillas, long perceived as primarily terrestrial apes, are far more arboreal than previously believed. A study comparing frugivorous populations of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, and western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Loango National Park, Gabon, found that both groups spent significantly more time in trees than the Virunga mountain gorillas. Adult females in these populations were 21% and 34% arboreal, respectively, compared to just 7% for Virunga gorillas, while adult males were 18.1% and 18.6% arboreal versus 2%. The research challenges the assumption that gorilla arboreality is solely driven by fruit consumption or limited by body size, revealing that nearly half of Loango gorilla fruit-eating occurred on the ground and most arboreal feeding involved non-fruit items like leaves. These findings reshape our understanding of gorilla ecomorphology and have implications for interpreting fossil ape evolution.

Graffiti and Other Evidence of Bulgarian Pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the Ottoman Period: A Photographic Survey

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2025 — WHE7732CFAC68

A groundbreaking photographic survey reveals the long-standing presence of Bulgarian pilgrims in Jerusalem's Greek Orthodox monasteries during the Ottoman period, spanning over 500 years. By employing advanced multispectral and RTI imaging techniques, researchers uncovered previously hidden graffiti inscriptions that not only document the pilgrimage routes but also identify specific individuals and their origins. This method allowed for a reconstruction of Bulgarian pilgrimage patterns, enriching our understanding of historical religious travel in the region.

Grain merchants and famines in late Renaissance

City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto — 2025 — WHEE2B915EC09

A study of grain trade and victualling systems in late Renaissance Veneto reveals that while cities and merchants relied on established procedures during food shortages, population growth and market closures necessitated adaptations. Using public records like council rolls and municipal accounts, alongside private notarial documents, researchers analyzed the careers of two key merchants—Giovanni Maria Mersi from Padua and Simone Barana—to illustrate how selective application of regulations shaped grain supply strategies. Barana's probate inventory provides rare insight into a merchant's operations during this period. The research challenges a one-dimensional view of grain trade, highlighting its complexity and the dynamic interplay between policy and practice.

Greening Heritage: Sustainable Interventions in the Historic Center of Naples

Historic Centre of Naples — 2025 — WHEFAB892F4B8

Sustainable green interventions can enhance environmental resilience and community well-being in densely built historic centers without compromising cultural heritage. A study on the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Naples demonstrates that temporary landscape designs improve social life while preserving architectural integrity, offering a replicable model for other urban areas facing similar challenges. The research employed a multi-methodological approach to assess spatial and environmental features, identifying short-term actions that balance sustainability with historical preservation.

Grievances, greed or tactics? The political ecology of jihadist expansion in West Africa’s WAP complex

W-Arly-Pendjari Complex — 2025 — WHEC223D3978A

Jihadist expansion in West Africa's W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) complex is primarily driven by tactical military advantages, not environmental grievances or economic motives. Contrary to earlier hypotheses, the study finds that protected forest areas serve as strategic rear bases rather than being leveraged for local resistance or illicit economies like poaching or gold mining. Qualitative evidence from interviews and surveys with stakeholders in Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso challenges the notion that conservation efforts exacerbate conflict, even in high-risk contexts. The research bridges political ecology and conflict studies, demonstrating that jihadist presence is more about securing operational advantages than exploiting local discontent.

Ground Motion at the World Heritage Archaeological Site of Monte Albán, Oaxaca, Mexico during Recent Damaging Earthquakes

Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán — 2025 — WHE7A85631F65

Research reveals that the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Monte Albán, Mexico, experiences significant ground motion during major earthquakes, with horizontal peak ground acceleration (PGA) exceeding 120 cm/s² potentially causing damage. The study estimates PGA values for past earthquakes, including those in 1999 and 2017, using spectral amplification ratios derived from intermitten strong-motion data collected between 2004 and 2019. Notably, the 2020 Huatulco earthquake had similar or higher PGV and PGD values but caused no reported damage, suggesting post-2017 conservation efforts may have mitigated vulnerability. The findings indicate that such strong ground motion could occur with a return period of approximately 20 years, while 1 g acceleration might exceed once every 1000 years, providing critical insights for seismic risk assessment and preservation strategies.

Groundwater contamination with heavy metals: A case study in Hebron, Palestine

Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town — 2025 — WHEA1F4041DC5

Groundwater in Hebron's Wadi Al-Samen exhibits significant heavy metal contamination, with 17 samples exceeding selenium limits during the dry season and 15 in the wet season. Four samples surpassed barium and lithium permissible levels year-round, while three exceeded zinc limits. The study, analyzing 20 wells for 16 trace elements using atomic absorption spectrometry, found spatial variations in heavy metal pollution index (HPI) values—17.2 in the dry season and 11.99 in the wet season—both below the critical threshold of 100 but indicating poor to very poor water quality. Mean metal index (MI) values suggested moderate contamination. The research underscores urgent mitigation needs to address health risks for local residents, highlighting critical deviations from World Health Organization standards.

Groundwater/Surface Water Temperature Variations and Hydrogeological Implications in Doñana National Park

Doñana National Park — 2025 — WHE9E423B041F

A recent study on Doñana National Park reveals significant groundwater and surface water temperature shifts during a dry-warm period (2020–2023), marked by reduced precipitation and rising air temperatures. While shallow piezometers (~15 m depth) showed increased annual mean water temperatures, deep piezometers recorded a decrease in water temperature and reduced variability. A phase shift between groundwater temperature extremes and air temperature variations was also observed, with its magnitude depending on sensor depth. These findings highlight the sensitivity of Doñana's wetlands to global environmental changes and provide insights into aquifer recharge and discharge dynamics at local and regional scales. The research analyzed eight hydrometeorological years (2016–2024) using temperature data from sand-dune ponds and piezometers, offering a comprehensive assessment of flow variability under extreme climatic conditions.

Growing, Healing, Knowing, And Sharing: The Community Museum Of Traditional Medicine Of Huancollo, Bolivia Exhibition Review

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2025 — WHE9052177414

The Community Museum of Traditional Medicine in Huancollo, Bolivia, serves as a vital repository for preserving and sharing Aymara ancestral knowledge. The museum, part of the Qhapaq ñan network, highlights three interconnected roots: the literal roots of healing plants used by the community, the foundational roots of resisting cultural erasure through healers' practices, and the interdependent roots linking contemporary heritage efforts with precolonial Andean communication systems. By analyzing the museum's displays, this review underscores its role in safeguarding indigenous traditions while connecting them to broader historical and ecological contexts.

Guardians of the Sigiriya Frescoes: A Legal Perspective on Cultural Heritage Management

Ancient City of Sigiriya — 2025 — WHECA4D0D67F7

Current legal frameworks for protecting Sri Lanka's Sigiriya World Heritage Site, particularly its fifth-century frescoes, fall short of international conservation standards. The study identifies critical gaps in environmental protection, emergency response regulations, and site-specific conservation protocols, despite the Antiquities Ordinance and UNESCO guidelines. It advocates for redefining Sigiriya's legal status and proposes legislative reforms to enhance heritage management, contributing to global discussions on cultural preservation.

Guardians of the Sigiriya Frescoes: A Legal Perspective on Cultural Heritage Management in Sri Lanka

Ancient City of Sigiriya — 2025 — WHE760C831E2F

A critical analysis reveals significant gaps in Sri Lanka's legal framework for protecting the Sigiriya frescoes, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. These fifth-century wall paintings, depicting the 'Maidens of the Clouds,' face vulnerabilities due to insufficient environmental safeguards and lack of emergency-response regulations. The study highlights the inadequacy of current laws, including the Antiquities Ordinance and Central Cultural Fund Act, compared to international conservation standards. It proposes redefining Sigiriya's legal status and targeted legislative reforms to ensure sustained preservation, contributing to global heritage law discourse.

Gulf of Aqaba as a thermal refuge: Insights from four years of intensifying marine heatwaves

Aqaba Marine Reserve — 2025 — WHED6CFBD2E9F

Despite intensifying marine heatwaves (MHWs) threatening coral reefs globally, the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA) in the Northern Red Sea has emerged as a thermal refuge for corals. A four-year study tracking coral-algae symbiosis in Stylophora pistillata and Pocillopora damicornis revealed their resilience during moderate to severe MHWs, including an unprecedented 113-day event in 2024 with record temperatures (32.6°C) and Degree Heating Weeks (30). Unlike other reefs, these corals persisted without bleaching or photosynthetic impairment, maintaining stable energy reserves. While Porites spp. showed metabolic tolerance, Cyphastrea spp. exhibited temporary symbiont reduction but recovered by January 2025. The study highlights the GoA's status as a climate refuge for corals, though emerging shallow bleaching suggests its limits may be approaching. These findings underscore the urgent need for regional conservation efforts to protect this critical ecosystem.