World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 22901 – 22920 of 30345 publications

90 years of systematic archaeological research of Prague historic centre and the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the specialised department for Prague archaeological heritage management in the context of the state and potential of research of Prague beginnings

Historic Centre of Prague — 2015 — WHEB6563F47B5

Systematic archaeological research in Prague's historic center, spanning nearly a century, reveals significant insights into the city's earliest history. This study, marking 50 years since the establishment of a specialized department for managing Prague's archaeological heritage, highlights the evolution and intensification of research efforts, particularly during periods of urban development. The findings underscore the potential for deeper understanding of Prague's origins through continued archaeological exploration, with special attention to the role of the National Heritage Institute's (NPÚ) department in advancing this field. The study also reflects on the challenges and opportunities in preserving and studying a site of European significance.

A ‘god-guarded’ city? The ‘new’ medieval town of Butrint

Butrint — 2015 — WHEEF6EAA0095

Extensive excavations at Butrint, Albania, reveal the revival of a medieval town (10th–11th century) with distinct urban planning, fortifications, and economic structures. The study, based on data from the Butrint Foundation, highlights a 'new' medieval settlement characterized by organized streets, property boundaries, dwellings, churches, and wells, contrasting with its ancient past. This rediscovered town provides insights into the region's post-Byzantine urbanization and maritime trade dynamics in the southern Adriatic Sea.

A Climatology of the Precipitation over the Southern Ocean as Observed at Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island — 2015 — WHECBF7F36340

Macquarie Island, a remote subantarctic site with modest elevation, provides critical insights into Southern Ocean precipitation patterns. A 32-year analysis (1979–2011) reveals that the ERA-Interim reanalysis underestimates annual precipitation by 6.8% compared to ground observations, highlighting significant biases in climate models over this region. Light precipitation dominates (29.7%), while heavy rainfall (≥1.5 mm/h) is rare but often linked to fronts and cyclonic systems, though some events occur without clear meteorological triggers. The study also identifies discrepancies between satellite-derived drizzle data and ground observations, suggesting limitations in reanalysis products for detecting weak precipitation. Two case studies further explore these inconsistencies, emphasizing the need for improved climate modeling in the Southern Ocean.

A Comparative Study of Pottery from Mersin-Yumuktepe and Arslantepe, Turkey

Arslantepe Mound — 2015 — WHEB4AED96CFF

A comparative analysis of pottery from Arslantepe Mound and Mersin-Yumuktepe reveals distinct differences in elemental composition, offering insights into the origin of raw materials and manufacturing practices during the Chalcolithic (ca. 5000 BC) and Late Bronze Age (1650–1200 BC). Using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), researchers identified key inclusions and trace elements, while multivariate statistical methods highlighted similarities and variations between the two sites. The study suggests that contamination during manufacturing may have influenced ceramic properties, providing a deeper understanding of ancient craftsmanship in Eastern Turkey.

A Comparative Study on Landscape Composition of Palace Gardens in Korea, China, Japan - Focused on Changdeokgung Palace, Summer Palace and Sento Imperial Palace -

Changdeokgung Palace Complex — 2015 — WHE67065EF5F1

A comparative analysis of palace gardens in Korea, China, and Japan reveals both shared cultural influences and distinct regional identities. The study highlights that Korean gardens, such as Changdeokgung Palace, uniquely adapt to natural terrain without destruction, reflecting indigenous styles while incorporating symbolic elements rooted in East Asian ideologies. While Chinese thoughts and techniques significantly influenced Korean garden development, all three regions—Korea, China (Summer Palace), and Japan (Sento Imperial Palace)—demonstrate homogeneity in waterscape utilization but diverge in cultural expression. Changdeokgung's rear garden notably served as a space for artistic appreciation rather than political authority, mirroring trends in Chinese and Japanese imperial palaces. The research underscores how each nation's palace gardens evolved by blending introduced elements with indigenous culture, establishing independent styles despite shared historical connections.

A Comparative Study on the Management of Marine Protected Areas Between the Philippines and United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park — 2015 — WHE2C42C20986

A comparative analysis of marine protected area (MPA) management in the Philippines' Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and the UAE's Marawah MPA reveals distinct strategies for success. Tubbataha's effectiveness stems from robust systems, stakeholder engagement, and resilience, while Marawah's sustainability is underpinned by financial stability. Both sites demonstrate unique biodiversity significance—Tubbataha as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with distinctive coral formations, and Marawah hosting 60% of the world's dugong population and critical turtle habitats. The study highlights that collaboration among stakeholders, community participation, environmental education, and long-term institutional support are key to MPA success, alongside ensuring financial stability through monitoring and adaptive management.

A comparison of digital modelling techniques analyzing a section of Qhapaq Ñan

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System — 2015 — WHE13D20A7378

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) emerges as the most accurate technique for 3D reconstruction of Qhapaq Ñan with photogrammetry and Kinect sensors achieving sub-centimeter precision. The study compared these methods using a 450-meter section in Lima, Peru, leveraging drone-acquired photogrammetric data, TLS scans, and Total Station measurements. Elevation contour maps and geometric comparisons revealed TLS's superior accuracy, while photogrammetry and Kinect demonstrated practical viability for high-resolution modeling with minimal error. This research underscores the potential of cost-effective, accessible technologies like photogrammetry and Kinect in heritage documentation without compromising precision.

A comparison of the diel variability in epilimnetic temperature for five lakes in the English Lake District

The English Lake District — 2015 — WHE8D276F813D

A study comparing the diel variability in epilimnetic temperature across five lakes in the English Lake District revealed that the magnitude of daily temperature fluctuations is primarily driven by the depth of the upper mixed layer. Windermere South Basin, the largest lake, exhibited the smallest diel temperature range, approximately half that of Blelham Tarn, the smallest lake. This pattern was attributed to larger lakes experiencing higher wind speeds, leading to deeper mixing and reduced temperature variability during summer months. The research highlights the significant influence of water temperature on lake biology and biogeochemistry, emphasizing the need to recognize its variability across different lake types.

A Comparison of Tourists' and Residents' Uses of the Temple of Heaven World Heritage Site, China

Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing — 2015 — WHE1194C5C77E

Residents and tourists exhibit distinct spatial and temporal patterns of use at the Temple of Heaven World Heritage Site, with local users primarily elderly individuals engaging regularly for exercise and social purposes, while tourists are more driven by the site's historical and cultural values. The study, which compared motivations, preferences, and experiences across three user groups—residents, domestic tourists, and international tourists—reveals divergent interpretations of heritage significance. Using a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and observations, researchers identified key differences in how these groups interact with the site, offering practical insights for visitor management strategies to accommodate diverse user needs while preserving the site's universal values.

A Contrastive Study of 18th-Century Word-Lists

Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville — 2015 — WHED822BB5E60

A pioneering 18th-century comparative linguistics project, involving two extensive word-lists—one compiled by Pallas and another initiated by Empress Catherine II of Russia—remains largely unstudied despite its historical significance. The second list, containing around 445 words in Spanish, was translated into approximately fifty languages but remained confined to Spain's archives. This study provides the first comprehensive overview of these translations, preserved in Seville’s Archivo General de Indias and Madrid’s Real Biblioteca, highlighting the innovative selection criteria, structure, and methodology employed by missionaries during this groundbreaking endeavor.

A Dialectic of Disinterested and Immersive Aesthetics: Santiniketan Art Education and Labour Translated

Santiniketan — 2015 — WHEB2B3DA10F5

Art education can transform mundane tasks into meaningful experiences, even within the challenges posed by capitalism and industrialism. This study highlights the contrasting yet complementary approaches of Rabindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose, two influential 20th-century Indian artist educators at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan. While Tagore's relational aesthetics acknowledged the irredeemable nature of the mundane, Bose developed an immersive aesthetic rooted in Yogic and Far Eastern philosophies, envisioning the transformation of everyday labor through creative activity. The research explores how these dialectical perspectives on art education persist today, offering a framework for reimagining work and aesthetics in modern contexts.

A funeral, a wolf and Bruce Lee in Mostar: revised urban contract and the intersection of time and space

Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar — 2015 — WHEB9F35E9F2D

This study reveals the profound impact of ethnic segregation on urban life in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting how physical partitions signify a breakdown in security and communal identity. It demonstrates that in divided cities like Mostar, the traditional urban contract—where residents exchange loyalty or taxation for safety and services—is severely disrupted, leading to vulnerability and lack of cooperation. The research analyzes this phenomenon through artistic depictions, including a film, novel, and statue performance, to illustrate the temporal and spatial dimensions of this urban fragmentation. By examining these cultural representations, the study underscores the failure of urban management in fostering unity and security.

A geobotanical investigation of the Koedoesfontein Complex, Vredefort Dome, South Africa

Vredefort Dome — 2015 — WHE73A91974FE

A geobotanical investigation of the Koedoesfontein Complex within the Vredefort Dome, South Africa, reveals that the mineralogical gradient formed by peralkaline to ultramafic intrusions significantly influences soil chemistry and woody vegetation composition. The study found that weathering of these lithologies leads to marked variations in soil chemical properties, particularly chromium and nickel content, which correlate with the abundance of sodium-, calcium-, iron-, and magnesium-rich silicate minerals. Notably, significant differences in woody species composition, especially within the Senegalia and Vachellia genera, were observed across soils derived from ultramafic–mafic, intermediate, and felsic rock types. These variations can serve as indicators for different geological substrates within the dome, providing valuable insights into the relationship between geology and vegetation in this unique impact structure.

A global phylogeny of Pelomedusoides turtles with new material of Neochelys franzeni Schleich, 1993 (Testudines, Podocnemididae) from the middle Eocene, Messel Pit, of Germany

Messel Pit Fossil Site — 2015 — WHEE5140B1414

A global phylogenetic analysis reveals that Neochelys franzeni, a pleurodire turtle from the middle Eocene Messel Pit (Germany), is closely related to the Erymnochelys madagascariensis-Peltocephalus dumerilianus clade within the Podocnemididae family. This study expands the known fossil record of Neochelys franzeni by describing five new specimens, including individuals at various ontogenetic stages, alongside a redescription of previously documented specimens. The exceptional preservation of these fossils provides critical insights into the evolution and morphology of this genus, shedding light on its relationships with South American and African-Madagascar podocnemidids.

A History of the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall — 2015 — WHEAEF73021B9

The Great Wall of China stands as the world's largest military defense structure, its enduring legacy rooted in over 2,000 years of architectural brilliance and historical significance. This comprehensive work traces its evolution through four key periods: initial construction of defensive walls, overall transformation, partial expansion, and maintenance. The Great Wall's value lies not only in its physical components—walls, gates, towns, garrisons, and signal towers—but also in the rich cultural heritage it embodies, inspiring countless classical works across poetry, literature, theater, and storytelling. Published by SCPG Publishing Corporation and distributed globally (except China) by World Scientific, this book offers a systematic and accessible exploration of the Great Wall's history, providing readers with a clear and thorough understanding of its development and impact on imperial China.

A Hoard of Silver Rhyta of the Achaemenid Circle from Erebuni

Pasargadae — 2015 — WHEC98BE0D0CA

A significant archaeological discovery from Erebuni, dating to around 330 BCE, sheds light on the final days of the Achaemenid Empire. The hoard, found in a large jug during construction work in 1968, includes three silver rhyta (drinking vessels), a silver goblet, and an unidentified fifth object that is now missing. The vessels were preserved in a flattened condition within the jug, suggesting they were deliberately hidden, possibly coinciding with the fall of the Achaemenid Empire. This parallels another hoard from Pasargadae, also concealed in a clay vessel around the same time. The study provides detailed descriptions and analysis of each piece, reinforcing the connection between the Erebuni and Pasargadae treasures.

A Journey to the Heart: Affecting Engagement at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park — 2015 — WHE4DA2F46C91

Interpretive signage in Ulu r u-Kata Tju t a National Park reflects a hierarchical valuation of places, often prioritizing colonial/settler and natural heritage narratives over Indigenous perspectives. This study reveals that such signage may alienate contemporary communities by adopting a detached, scientific tone that distances visitors from lived cultural experiences. Through textual analysis, the research demonstrates how affective engagement—emotional connection to country and history—can be both constrained or fostered depending on interpretive strategies. The findings highlight the need for more inclusive storytelling in protected areas to bridge the gap between Indigenous heritage and public interpretation.

A late-antique fountain at Aphrodisias and its implications for spoliation practices

Aphrodisias — 2015 — WHEA55913A431

A late-antique fountain at Aphrodisias, constructed entirely of spolia from other monuments, offers significant insights into late-antique practices of spoliation and re-use. The structure, initially excavated by Paul Gaudin in 1904–5 and later studied by K. Görkay in 1989, features a tetrastyle façade adorned with re-used relief panels now displayed in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. This fountain, misidentified as a 'gymnasium' by Gaudin, illustrates the city's late-antique renovations during its final Christian phase. The study highlights the importance of this underpublished structure in understanding material reuse and architectural practices in ancient Aphrodisias.

A Mechanistic Model for Wettability Alteration by Chemically Tuned Waterflooding in Carbonate Reservoirs

Stevns Klint — 2015 — WHE43E709B5E4

A novel mechanistic model demonstrates that chemically tuned waterflooding can enhance oil recovery by up to 40% original oil in place (OOIP) in carbonate reservoirs, such as Stevns Klint chalk. The model reveals that sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻) play a pivotal role in altering rock wettability from oil-wet or mixed-wet to more water-wet conditions by replacing adsorbed carboxylic groups on the rock surface, while cations like Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ have a minor effect. The study integrates multiphase flow, multicomponent surface complexation, and wettability alteration, showing that optimal brine formulations for chalk contain abundant sulfate (0.096 mol/kg water), moderate cation concentrations, and low salinity (<0.2 mol/kg water). This work provides the first mechanistic coupling of these processes to predict improved oil recovery under varying conditions, offering a powerful tool for optimizing chemically tuned waterflooding in carbonate reservoirs.

A menorah plaque from the center of Sardis

Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe — 2015 — WHEC9F3BB0CE8

A recently discovered marble relief plaque depicting a menorah and other symbols near the center of Sardis provides significant new evidence of Jewish life and culture in ancient Asia Minor. The discovery, along with previously found artifacts such as inscriptions and menorahs from a 4th-6th century synagogue in the city's NW region, underscores the prominence of the Jewish community in Roman Sardis. Historical records suggest that diaspora Jews were relocated to Lydia by Antiochus III in the late 3rd century B.C., and their descendants integrated into civic life, acquiring privileges and rights. The plaque, found through excavation near the city center, adds to the growing body of material culture associated with ancient Judaism in this region.