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The Mammoth Cave system, Kentucky, USA

Mammoth Cave National Park — 2016 — WHE48A1BB24E9

Mammoth Cave, the centerpiece of Mammoth Cave National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as one of the most extensive cave systems globally, with over 652 km of surveyed passages as of 2016. This subterranean labyrinth, located within an expansive karst plateau, offers a unique window into the fluvial history of southeastern North America. Its complex passage levels and sediment layers preserve a record spanning millennia, alongside a rich array of archaeological and historical artifacts. The cave's significance extends beyond its geological features; it hosts diverse speleobiota, including rare and endangered species, further cementing its status as an International Biosphere Reserve. The study by Palmer (2016) underscores the cave's dual role as both a natural wonder and a repository of scientific data, bridging disciplines from geology to archaeology.

The manifold use of pounding stone tools by wild capuchin monkeys of Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2016 — WHEC037A7925D

Wild capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, exhibit a uniquely diverse use of pounding stone tools (PSTs), surpassing other known populations. Unlike most capuchins that primarily use PSTs to open hard palm nuts, these monkeys employ them for multiple purposes: cracking seeds and fruits, breaking or enlarging holes in tree trunks or rocks, pulverizing pebbles, and sequentially with probe stick tools to access hidden prey. The study suggests active selection of larger stones, indicating a sophisticated tool choice behavior. This research highlights the remarkable cognitive flexibility and adaptability of these capuchins, offering new insights into their behavioral ecology.

The Maritime Approaches to Ancient Byblos (Lebanon)

Byblos — 2016 — WHEA41DC79621

A long-sought Bronze Age harbor basin at ancient Byblos, Lebanon, has been identified after 17 years of field investigation. This discovery provides physical evidence for the maritime trade hub described in historical texts like the Report of Wenamun. The geo-archaeological research program 'Byblos and the Sea,' launched in 2011, confirmed the silted-in harbor's location at the southern foot of the city through multiple indicators. This finding sheds new light on the maritime approaches to Byblos, bridging textual records with archaeological evidence.

The Maritime Traditions of the Fishermen of Socotra, Yemen

Socotra Archipelago — 2016 — WHEA5D7D770FD

The maritime traditions of Socotra's fishermen reveal a rich, historically significant practice shaped by the archipelago's unique geography. Located 135 nautical miles northeast of Somalia and 205 nautical miles south of Yemen, Socotra consists of four main islands, including its namesake. This study highlights how these traditional practices have evolved over time, reflecting both cultural resilience and adaptation to environmental challenges. The research employs a combination of ethnographic fieldwork and historical analysis to document the knowledge, tools, and social structures that define Socotra's fishing communities. By examining these traditions, the study offers insights into the archipelago's ecological and cultural significance, contributing to broader discussions on maritime heritage preservation.

The Mastery in Hydraulic Techniques for Water Supply at the Alhambra

Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada — 2016 — WHECD81B1325C

A groundbreaking analysis reveals the intricate hydraulic engineering that sustained the Alhambra, a medieval Islamic masterpiece. The study demonstrates how two key water channels—the Royal Water Channel (1238) and the Acequia de los Arquillos (14th century)—overcame geographic challenges to supply palaces and gardens with water. These systems, pioneered by Nasrid rulers Muḥammad I and Muḧammad V, showcased advanced techniques for elevation and distribution, though later decline in maintenance led to their deterioration. The research synthesizes recent findings on the Nasrid hydraulic system, highlighting its role in shaping one of history's most iconic cultural landscapes.

The meaning of Adabu and Adhabu for the ‘child protection’ discourse in Zanzibar

Stone Town of Zanzibar — 2016 — WHE73ED5C75E1

Global child protection initiatives often fail to resonate with local cultural and religious contexts, as demonstrated by Zanzibar's resistance to bans on corporal punishment. The concepts of adabu (manners/discipline) and adhabu (punishment/chastisement) are central to understanding children's and teachers' attitudes toward discipline in primary and Qur'anic schools. Ethnographic fieldwork revealed that universalized approaches, such as 'Positive Discipline' (adabu mbadala), overlook the nuanced meanings of disciplining practices, which are tied to Zanzibari notions of personhood (utu). A government-led unit promoting 'alternative punishment' (adhabu mbadala) reflects this disconnect, with terminology mismatches (e.g., adabu vs. adhabu) highlighting broader challenges in aligning international policies with local realities. The study advocates for child protection strategies that prioritize culturally sensitive, locally grounded approaches over one-size-fits-all models.

The measurement of carbon dioxide levels in a city canyon

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh — 2016 — WHE8D3EB4FFD7

A novel approach to measuring carbon dioxide (CO2) dispersion in urban environments revealed significant insights into how the structure of city canyons, such as those found in Edinburgh's Old Town, influences CO2 movement and concentration. This study, using a portable, low-cost CO2 sensor, demonstrated that the physical layout of buildings plays a crucial role in trapping and dispersing emissions, with implications for both carbon management strategies and air quality planning. Unlike traditional methods that rely on estimated urban CO2 levels, this research provided real-time measurements, highlighting the need for more accurate data to inform policies aimed at reducing emissions and improving air quality in densely built areas.

The MEDNETA project from heritage to artistic creation

Medina of Tunis — 2016 — WHEE17FE397CB

The MEDNETA project demonstrates that the integration of heritage, creative industries, and traditional arts can revitalize historic Mediterranean city centers, offering a sustainable alternative to mass tourism's pressures. By fostering cross-cultural dialogue and innovation, the project reshapes urban spaces to bridge tradition with modernity, culture with tourism, and ideas with techniques. Implemented across six cities—including the Medina of Tunis—the initiative highlights how creative activities can serve as catalysts for economic, social, and cultural benefits, redefining the role of historic sites in contemporary society.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System — 2016 — WHE18D4F6E2FC

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) stands as the world's largest transboundary barrier reef, stretching 1000 km from Mexico to Honduras. This system is a biodiversity hotspot and economic cornerstone, supporting coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves that sustain nearly two million people, with one million directly dependent on its resilience for livelihoods. The MBRS also offers critical protection against hurricanes and tropical storms while significantly boosting tourism economies across Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Indigenous groups such as the Garifuna, Kekchi, Maya, and Creole inhabit the region, adding cultural depth to its ecological significance.

The Migration of the Population in the South Albania: The Case of Gjirokastra Region

Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra — 2016 — WHE7907CC8A79

Post-1990, international migration—particularly to Greece—emerged as a dominant demographic force reshaping the population dynamics of Gjirokastra, Albania. This study reveals that illegal emigration, driven by political instability and economic hardship, became a defining feature of the region’s socio-economic evolution. Analyzing migration patterns across time, space (communes and villages), and population structure (age, gender, ethnicity, education, settlement), the research identifies key factors including distance, familial versus individual migration, and motives behind movement. The findings underscore a severe population deficit in Gjirokastra, primarily attributable to large-scale emigration, with significant implications for local development and heritage preservation.

The Mulatta Concubine: Terror, Intimacy, Freedom, and Desire in the Black Transatlantic

Island of Gorée — 2016 — WHEC02805EBAE

Lisa Ze Winters's analysis challenges the binary narratives of the 'free(d) mulatta concubine'—as either seductress or victim—revealing a complex figure whose identity was shaped by terror, desire, and the tenuous nature of freedom in the Black Atlantic. By synthesizing written, oral, and visual sources spanning Senegal, Saint Domingue/Haiti, New Orleans, and beyond, Winters uncovers how free women of color navigated and resisted racialized and gendered power structures. The study highlights the archival gaps and cultural refractions that complicate official histories, particularly through the lens of signares in Gorée and Marie Laveau's contested legacy in New Orleans. It also critiques 19th-century ethnographies and travel memoirs for their stereotypes while centering the agency of free women of color.

The Nabataean timing system

Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) — 2016 — WHEAD19D4EE8B

Excavations at UNESCO World Heritage Sites Petra and Hegra have uncovered evidence of the Nabataeans' sophisticated timing system, including water clocks, sundials, and ground shadow clocks. These findings, combined with linguistic analysis of Nabataean inscriptions, reveal a detailed terminology for time measurement: 'day', 'year', 'month', 'hour', 'week', 'night', and 'time'. The study also sheds light on their annual calendar, adopting a comparative historical and linguistic approach to explore how the Nabataeans structured and measured time. This research provides new insights into an ancient civilization's temporal organization, bridging archaeology and linguistics.

The Nature of German Imperialism

Selous Game Reserve — 2016 — WHECD2822955A

German colonial rule in East Africa, particularly Tanzania, laid the foundation for modern wildlife conservation efforts such as those seen today in the Serengeti National Park and the Selous Game Reserve. A key insight from this study is that the shift from exploitation to preservation of wildlife, driven by elephant hunting and the ivory trade, began during German colonial rule and was increasingly exclusionary toward indigenous Africans. The research analyzes how colonial governance interacted with the natural world, situating East African wildlife policies within the broader global emergence of conservationist sensibilities around 1900. This book provides the first comprehensive account of Tanzanian wildlife conservation up until World War I.

The No Grandi Navi campaign: protests against cruise tourism in Venice

Singapore Botanic Gardens — 2016 — WHEAA81F53F31

Grassroots activism in Singapore challenges state-led tourism narratives, as seen in the fight to preserve Bukit Brown Cemetery against the backdrop of UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites like the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The study highlights how local resistance emerges amid globalization and authoritarian urban policies, such as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's 'City in a Garden' vision. Conceptualizing 'guerrilla tourism,' the research draws on Michel de Certeau’s spatial practice theory to frame pedestrian movement as an act of transgression against hegemonic urban landscapes. Fieldwork reveals activism flourishing despite state control, offering insights into subversive spatial practices in tourist cities.

The Occurrence and Individual Identification Study of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose DolphinsTursiops aduncusin the Waters Around Amami Oshima Island, Southern Japan: A preliminary Report

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2016 — WHE82670ABBEB

A preliminary study around Amami Oshima Island, Japan, identified at least 100 individual Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) using photo-identification techniques from 2007 to 2013. Dolphins were predominantly found in the Oshima Strait and western coast, with group sizes averaging smaller in the strait (median: 8, range: 1–50). The cumulative count of identified individuals increased over time, suggesting a larger population than initially estimated. This highlights the need for continued photo-identification efforts to refine population size estimates. Surveys relied on concentrated sampling and community contributions, offering insights into dolphin distribution and social structure in this UNESCO-recognized region.

The Old Acropolis Museum, Athens, Greece: An Overdue Necrology

Acropolis, Athens — 2016 — WHE94D7DA6B2F

The dismantling of the Old Acropolis Museum's permanent exhibition, a significant museological artifact from postwar Greece, has had lasting implications for viewers, scholars, and artifacts. This study highlights the importance of remembering and analyzing the installation by archaeologist Giannes Meliades (1954–1964), which was considered a work of art in its own right, rich in aesthetic and epistemological significance. The research focuses on the museum's various reincarnations since 1874, emphasizing Meliades' contribution during his tenure as Ephor of the Acropolis (1941–1961). By treating the museum as a relational nexus, this study underscores the broader impact of its dismantling on cultural heritage and historical understanding.

The Origins of administrative practices and their developments in Greater Mesopotamia. The evidence from Arslantepe

Arslantepe Mound — 2016 — WHE9308738AAA

Arslantepe Mound, located in southeastern Turkey, provides pivotal evidence for the emergence of early administrative practices in Greater Mesopotamia. Excavations at the site reveal sophisticated bureaucratic systems dating back to the 4th millennium BCE, including proto-cuneiform script and organized storage facilities. These findings challenge traditional narratives by demonstrating that complex administration predates the rise of large-scale states like those in Sumer. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating archaeological, epigraphic, and artifact analysis to reconstruct administrative developments. This research underscores Arslantepe's role as a crucible for state formation, offering insights into the transition from local governance to centralized rule.

The origins of white-chinned petrels killed by long-line fisheries off South Africa and New Zealand

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands — 2016 — WHE5D5689954E

A genetic analysis of white-chinned petrels (Procellaria aequinoctialis) killed as bycatch in long-line fisheries off South Africa and New Zealand reveals distinct subspecies origins. All 113 birds from South African waters belonged to the Atlantic/Indian Ocean subspecies (P. a. aequinoctialis), while all 60 New Zealand birds were identified as the New Zealand sub-Antarctic subspecies (P. a. steadi). This finding indicates that the two subspecies disperse to different regions regardless of age, aligning with tracking data of adult birds. The study highlights the need for region-specific management strategies to mitigate fishery bycatch impacts on this vulnerable seabird species.

The Outside of the Village as a ‘Life-Giving’ Reservoir

Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) — 2016 — WHEEB685CCD52

Severe land degradation and erratic rainfall in the Sahel, exacerbated by human factors, have critically reduced life resources for the Dogon people of Tiréli, particularly millet—a staple of their subsistence economy. The study reveals a stark contrast between the region's dramatic natural and cultural aesthetics and its underlying scarcity of water, fertile soil, and arable crops. It highlights how localized flash floods and irregular monsoon patterns disrupt agricultural productivity, leaving communities vulnerable to food insecurity. While the research does not explicitly state innovative solutions, it underscores the urgent need for sustainable strategies to mitigate these environmental pressures on Dogon livelihoods.

The patrimony of wooden churches, built between 1531 and 2015, in the Land of Maramureș, Romania

Wooden Churches of Maramureş — 2016 — WHE2AF35A9AA0

A comprehensive database of 74 wooden churches in Maramureș, Romania, built between 1531 and 2015, reveals a rich architectural heritage with significant cultural and historical value. The study highlights that 33 of these churches are designated as historical monuments in Romania, while five are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Utilizing cartographic methods and software like ArcGIS and CorelDRAW, the research maps and analyzes key elements such as spatial distribution, technical details (height, architectural style), monument type, and age. This detailed mapping not only aids in territorial planning and urban development but also serves as a valuable resource for tourism and public education.