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Kissing the earth’ scene in Pashedu Tomb

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2016 — WHEDE557F4646

A notable scene of a kneeling ritual, known as 'kissing the earth,' was identified in the tomb of scribe Pashedu at Deir el-Medina Necropolis, dating to the reigns of King Seti I and Ramses II. This ritual, also performed by high priests entering temple sanctuaries, reflects deep-rooted Ancient Egyptian religious practices. The study analyzes this scene, drawing from multiple perspectives that suggest it may represent acts of prayer or water drinking rituals. By examining Pashedu's tomb, the research sheds light on the symbolic significance and daily religious practices in Ancient Egypt.

Knife stabbing attacks in the West Bank: implementing a modern response chain to an ancient foe

Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town — 2016 — WHE64618789E1

A recent surge in knife stabbing attacks in the West Bank, particularly affecting Jewish settlers near the contentious site of Hebron's Cave of the Patriarchs, has highlighted the need for medical preparedness. Unlike past decades, where such incidents were rare, the recent wave of stabbings—often linked to political tensions and religious friction—has posed significant challenges to local medical personnel accustomed to managing trauma from protests. The study underscores the importance of adapting modern medical response protocols to address this ancient yet resurgent form of violent assault, which differs in severity and context from typical criminal or social knife wounds.

Knut Helskog. Communicating with the World of Beings: The World Heritage Rock Art Sites in Alta, Arctic Norway (Oxford and Philadelphia: Oxbow Books, 2014, 240pp., 222 colour and 41 b/w figs., hbk, ISBN 978-1-78297-411-6)

Rock Art of Alta — 2016 — WHE0696DB040F

The Rock Art of Alta reveals a profound connection between ancient Arctic communities and the natural world. Knut Helskog's work demonstrates that these petroglyphs, spanning over 4,000 years, depict not only animals and humans but also spiritual interactions with beings from the natural environment. The research integrates archaeological, ethnographic, and historical perspectives to interpret the art as a form of communication with the world of beings, challenging traditional views on its purpose. By analyzing motifs, distribution, and contextual evidence, Helskog provides insights into the cosmological beliefs and social structures of past societies in Alta, Norway.

Koenigia hedbergii (Polygonaceae: Persicarieae), a distinct new species from Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, Central China

Hubei Shennongjia — 2016 — WHE020063EB45

Scientists have identified and described Koenigia hedbergii, a new species of plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family, found in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve in central China. This discovery is significant as it distinguishes itself from related species like K. nepalensis and K. pilosa through unique morphological traits such as lanceolate or lanceolate-ovate leaves with 6–11 pairs of lateral veins, undulate margins, glabrous ocreae with sparse puberulence at the bases, and sharply trigonous achenes with pronounced keeled edges. The study also provides detailed observations of the Koenigia-type pollen grains of this new species, contributing to our understanding of its taxonomic placement.

Kongo Graphic Writing and Other Narratives of the Sign

Mbanza Kongo, Vestiges of the Capital of the former Kingdom of Kongo — 2016 — WHEE2EAFCD90F

Research reveals undeniable continuity between contemporary graphic writing systems used in Central Africa and those in Cuban Palo Mayombe initiation, tracing back to millennia-old rupestrian art found in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study challenges the notion that the plantation system destroyed African heritage by documenting deep-rooted Kongo-based traditions in the Caribbean, supported by historiography, art history, linguistics, and participant observation in Bakongo and Cuban Kongo initiation schools. Author Bárbaro Martínez-Ruiz, an Afro-Cuban Palo Monte practitioner, combines firsthand ethnographic experience with academic rigor to demonstrate how over 4,000 graphic signs in Cuba reflect Kongo knowledge while showcasing creativity and cultural adaptation. This foundational work bridges Africanist studies and diaspora research, emphasizing the agency of African cultural history.

L’art roman en Lombardie. État des questions

Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena — 2016 — WHE563DE2C63F

Romanesque art in Lombardy exhibits significant diversity in typology and technique, marked by the use of stone in alpine regions and brick in plains, with reused brick prevalent until the late 11th century. This architectural evolution is tied to episcopal reforms within the Ottonian and Salian Reichskirchensystem, with key figures like Aribert d’Intimiano leading the transformation. Innovations in structures such as Santa Maria Maggiore at Lomello and Milan’s San Sepulchro, including stone vaulting and bay articulation, highlight this period's experimentation. However, the loss of many monuments in the 12th century obscures a comprehensive view of this transition. By the late 11th century, Romanesque architecture reached maturity with buildings like Sant’Ambrogio in Milan and San Michele Maggiore in Pavia, featuring tribunes, ribbed vaults, and significant sculptural advancements. Concurrently, Cremona Cathedral’s reconstruction reflects a blend of Lombard and Po Valley influences, complicating its classification.

L’écrit et la justice au Mont Saint-Michel : les notices narratives (vers 1060-1150)

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2016 — WHEE55217C9B7

A study of narrative records from the Mont-Saint-Michel reveals that judicial practices at the site mirrored those of other Ligarian monasteries, with a peak during the abbacy of Bernard (1131-1149). These texts, part of a cartulary begun around 1150, blend diplomatic formulas and narrative styles to depict monastic autonomy while serving as tools for social reconciliation. Unlike traditional legal procedures, these records focus on mediating disputes through compromise rather than enforcing norms, involving a network of lay and ecclesiastical figures to validate written agreements. The analysis underscores the need for interpretive attention to implicit meanings within these patchwork texts.

L’édification d’un « parc imaginaire » des Cévennes

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2016 — WHEABDF8300C8

A study of the Cévennes region reveals how literary works shaped a collective identity and influenced its development as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the 18th century, diverse genres—oral and written, fictional and realistic—created shared cultural and landscape markers, forming the basis for a regional identity. This 'imaginary park' concept gained traction in the mid-20th century, blending nostalgia for rural life with traditional practices like agriculture and pastoralism, aligning with sustainable development ideals. However, by the 2000s, efforts to inscribe the Cévennes as a mixed cultural landscape on UNESCO's World Heritage List faltered due to its failure to meet universal significance criteria. The research highlights how local identity clashes with global heritage standards while noting untapped potential from Anglo-Saxon biorégionalism, which integrates place-based identity with ecocentric approaches.

L’espace comme matériau : l’architecture moderne et le complexe du Bauhaus à Dessau

Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau — 2016 — WHE9747283A8F

Urban and architectural spaces, integral to daily life, underwent profound transformations from the mid-18th century onward, marked by innovative changes and the introduction of new materials and technologies. This study highlights how the Bauhaus complex in Dessau, Germany, epitomized these shifts, serving as a pivotal platform for architectural evolution. By analyzing the interactions among Western philosophers, artists, and architects during this period, the research elucidates their collective influence on Walter Gropius's work, particularly his Dessau ensemble. The study employs a comparative approach to trace how spatial innovations in architecture reflect broader cultural and technological advancements.

L’ethnicité dans la ville : la culture urbaine des jeunes Tatars à Kazan

Historic and Architectural Complex of the Kazan Kremlin — 2016 — WHEE80976F65E

Urban spaces serve as platforms for political negotiation and nation-building, particularly in multiethnic, post-socialist cities. This study demonstrates how Kazan's urban landscape, shaped by projects like the restoration of the Annunciation Cathedral and construction of the Kul Sharif Mosque within its historic Kremlin, reflects broader political strategies aimed at redefining national identity and historical memory. Through ethnographic observations conducted from 2007 to 2010, researchers reveal how these architectural interventions are not merely restorations but deliberate political acts that reinforce ethnic and religious narratives in a post-Soviet context.

La cacería tradicional chol y tseltal en los acahuales de Palenque: implicaciones para la zooarqueología maya

Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque — 2016 — WHE7AEAE02A69

Traditional hunting practices among the Chol and Tzeltal Maya communities in Palenque's secondary forests (acahuales) reveal critical insights into subsistence strategies that likely mirrored those of ancient Maya populations. The study demonstrates how the 'slash-and-burn' milpa cultivation technique sustains diverse wildlife, providing a substantial protein source through hunting. By integrating ethnographic observations with zooarchaeological implications, researchers highlight the continuity of forest management practices between contemporary and pre-Hispanic Maya societies. This challenges assumptions about the extent of dietary specialization in ancient Palenque, suggesting that wild game played a more significant role than previously thought.

La ciudad inteligente, un palimpsesto digital. El caso Fray Bentos

Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape — 2016 — WHED3A168A6A7

A smart city paradigm applied to the UNESCO-listed Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape demonstrates how digital palimpsests can integrate cultural heritage with technological innovation. The study, part of a four-year strategic action plan, challenges traditional urban-rural dichotomies by treating territory as an integral cultural landscape. It employs social-based technological applications to explore smart city concepts, focusing on sustainable development and heritage preservation. Initial results highlight the potential for digital tools to enhance territorial studies while maintaining historical integrity.

La Cova dels Jurats de Calescoves (Alaior, Menorca). Un santuario rupestre en el mundo Talayótico?

Talayotic Menorca — 2016 — WHE9A3070A70C

Excavations at the Cova dels Jurats cave in Menorca reveal it as the first documented Talayotic sanctuary, with two distinct ritual phases. The earlier phase dates to the Final Talayotic Period, while later Roman use introduced new rituals linked to inscriptions found at the cave entrance. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the function and continuity of caves within the Talayotic culture, providing evidence for both pre-Roman and Roman-era religious practices in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

La diffusion du Néolithique en Méditerranée

Choirokoitia — 2016 — WHE2499EBCEE8

The spread of Neolithic agriculture from the Near East to North Africa through the Mediterranean occurred in distinct phases, with key transitions marked by technological and cultural innovations. Early maritime exchanges during the Mesolithic facilitated the movement of domesticated animals, such as pigs, to islands like Kythnos by 9000–8000 BCE. The Neolithic expansion reached Cyprus precociously around 9000 BCE, where the Khirokitia culture emerged with notable conservatism. By 7000 BCE, farmers arrived in Crete at Knossos, while monochrome pottery appeared in Corfu by 6300 BCE and impressed ware by 6000 BCE, signaling a shift toward coastal settlements. Cardial ware cultures (5500 BCE onward) completed the Neolithization of Northwest Africa, including Morocco, where domesticated wheat and sheep were introduced around 5300–5200 BCE. This synthesis integrates chronological and cultural evidence to map Mediterranean Neolithic diffusion pathways.

La educación después de Auschwitz

Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945) — 2016 — WHECCC0135C8D

The critical insight from this philosophical and sociological analysis is that the barbarism exemplified by Auschwitz is not merely a historical aberration but a persistent, systemic threat embedded within civilization itself. Adorno argues that the conditions allowing such atrocities—rooted in aggressive nationalism and societal structures—remain unaddressed, rendering the risk of repetition both inevitable and urgent. The study avoids traditional research framing, instead grounding its argument in Freud's theories on civilization and barbarism, particularly from The Maladies of Civilization and Psychology of the Masses. It critiques idealistic education debates as irrelevant without addressing Auschwitz's recurrence, emphasizing the need for structural societal reflection to confront this 'desperate' yet necessary struggle. The analysis also draws parallels between historical genocides (e.g., the Armenian genocide) and modern threats like nuclear weaponry, underscoring their shared origins in unchecked societal pressures.

La permanencia de la población en centros históricos desde la percepción de los residentes: el centro histórico de Morelia como caso de estudio

Historic Centre of Morelia — 2016 — WHEABDB4C7FD8

Residents' perceptions reveal key factors contributing to the depopulation of Morelia's historic center, despite its UNESCO World Heritage status. The study found that local urban development programs have largely overlooked resident opinions, leading to a decline in population due to unaddressed urban challenges. By analyzing residents' views on their permanence in the area, researchers identified critical issues that hinder demographic recovery. This insight suggests that integrating community perspectives into urban planning strategies could mitigate depopulation and foster sustainable development in historic centers.

La Prehistoria Reciente del entorno de la Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, España): Catálogo de sitios del VI al II milenio cal. BC, análisis tecno-tipológico de las industrias líticas y cerámicas, y organización funcional del poblamiento

Archaeological Site of Atapuerca — 2016 — WHEA59D07F2AB

The Sierra de Atapuerca region (Burgos, Spain) emerges as a pivotal area for understanding Late Prehistory on the Northern Iberian Plateau. This study reveals that the region's karst contexts, megalithic structures, and open-air sites—spanning the 6th to 2nd millennium cal. BC—offer unprecedented insights into prehistoric settlement evolution. Through a decade-long research project (1999–2014) covering 314 km², the study cataloged over 200 Holocene archaeological sites, analyzed lithic and ceramic industries, and mapped subsistence strategies centered on agriculture and livestock. Radiocarbon dating, techno-typological analysis, and GIS-based geospatial databases provided a comprehensive framework for periodization, technological evolution, and functional organization of prehistoric populations. These findings position Atapuerca as a key reference for Late Prehistoric studies in Iberia.

La prohibición de actividades mineras en la ordenación territorial y urbanística, a la luz de la jurisprudencia

Las Médulas — 2016 — WHE265F2D725F

Las Médulas, a former Roman gold mining site in León, Spain, exemplifies the transformation of degraded landscapes into UNESCO World Heritage Sites through effective environmental restoration. The study highlights that while natural recovery takes centuries, human-led restoration can achieve significant results in short periods, as seen in projects like Cabárceno Natural Park and Madrid's Manzanares Linear Park, which repurposed former mining areas into ecologically valuable spaces. Conversely, many abandoned mines, particularly in the Bierzo coal basin, lack adequate restoration, leading to severe environmental impacts on soil, water, and ecosystems. The research underscores the need for proactive spatial planning and participatory decision-making to balance economic benefits with environmental protection, drawing parallels with global initiatives like the Minamata Convention. It also critiques the reactive nature of post-mining restoration, advocating for preemptive strategies to mitigate conflicts over resource extraction in sensitive areas.

La synagogue de la Ghriba à Djerba. Réflexions sur l’inclusivité d’un sanctuaire partagé en Tunisie

Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory — 2016 — WHEF6796AC858

The synagogue of the Ghriba on Djerba, Tunisia, stands as a rare example of sustained interreligious inclusivity in the Maghreb, where Jews and Muslims have shared the site for centuries. Unlike other regions where Jewish communities dwindled due to emigration, Djerba retained its mixed religious practices until recent decades. However, the study reveals that this inclusivity has been significantly disrupted by events such as the 2002 Al-Qaïda attack and the aftermath of the Tunisian Revolution (2011), which limited both the physical presence of Jewish Tunisians and their return for annual pilgrimages. The research highlights the synagogue's role in fostering a shared memory and identity, while also questioning the sustainability of such interconfessionality in modern times. The study combines historical analysis with ethnographic observations to explore this unique phenomenon.

La voie d’Aquitaine entre Tolosa (Toulouse, Haute-Garonne) et Carcaso (Carcassonne, Aude) : stations et sites de bord de route

Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne — 2016 — WHEA3EE343351

A comprehensive analysis of the Roman road 'La voie d’Aquitaine' between Toulouse and Carcassonne reveals its significant role in regional occupation and economy during antiquity. The study, combining ground and aerial surveys, identifies a network of official stations and numerous private 'roadside service sites,' which were primarily used by travelers and transporters. These sites, ranging from 0.5 to 2 hectares, often located near water sources, show evidence of blacksmithing activities and equipment related to vehicle maintenance, indicating specialized functions. The absence of alternative navigable routes underscores the road's critical importance in connecting regions and facilitating economic activity during the Roman period.