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Showing 2301 – 2320 of 15962 publications

Impacts of sea-level rise and wave inundation in the Tongariki Complex, Rapa Nui

Rapa Nui National Park — 2025 — WHE3AF02A0353

A study projects that the iconic Ahu Tongariki, part of Rapa Nui National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), could face seasonal wave inundation as early as 2080 under a high sea-level rise (SLR) scenario of 1.2 meters. Using XBeach in 2D non-hydrostatic mode, researchers simulated future wave environments and SLR impacts, finding that cultural assets at Tongariki are already vulnerable to wave run-up at current sea levels. Projections suggest the number of affected assets could triple by 2100, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptive measures across coastal heritage sites in Rapa Nui. The study highlights significant risks to tangible heritage from climate change and advocates for community-led mitigation strategies.

Impacts of warmer temperatures on the above- and belowground system of four economically important timber species

Upper Middle Rhine Valley — 2025 — WHE00D333F113

A recent study reveals significant species-specific responses of four major timber species to warmer temperatures, highlighting the vulnerability of conifers compared to broadleaved species. Research comparing forest stands in northern Germany and the Upper Rhine Valley—where mean annual temperatures are 2°C higher—found that European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea) showed increased sensitivity to water stress, while Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) exhibited stronger negative responses to summer heat. Belowground, fine root biomass and productivity declined for beech, pine, and Douglas fir in the warmer region, whereas oak remained resilient with trends toward increased productivity and longevity. The study underscores the need for adaptive forest management strategies to enhance resilience under climate change.

Imperial Ecologies

Niokolo-Koba National Park — 2025 — WHEE997929F45

Niokolo-Koba National Park (PNNK) in Senegal, established in 1954, challenges conventional narratives of colonial power by revealing its contested and multifaceted nature. This study, using original archival materials, demonstrates that the park's evolution was not solely dictated by French imperial authorities but was shaped by complex interactions among European administrators, international ecological scientists, local African villagers, and resistors at both local and imperial levels. The post-war context provided new opportunities for social control and economic development, yet the park's trajectory was also significantly influenced by local agency, environmental conditions, and emerging global conservation discourses. This research dismantles the notion of a 'colonial consensus' among Europeans and complicates the binary opposition between colonizer and colonized.

Imperial Engagements Imagined: Accounts of Northern Dynasties Rulers in the Early Record of Mount Wutai 五臺

Mount Wutai — 2025 — WHE496767779C

Research reveals that Tang period (618–907) accounts of Mount Wutai, particularly those by Huixiang in the Ancient Chronicle of Mount Clear and Cool, are imaginative reconstructions rather than historical records. These narratives were crafted to invoke memories of Northern Dynasties rulers, shaping Mount Wutai into a sacred site of imperial Buddhism during the Tang era. The study employs close textual analysis to demonstrate how Huixiang and his contemporaries used these stories to legitimize and develop the site's religious significance.

Imperialization of street names as part of the cultural appropriation of urban space in late imperial Vilnius

Vilnius Historic Centre — 2025 — WHE25035A0FCB

Late imperial Vilnius saw a systematic yet largely unsuccessful attempt by the tsarist elite to 'imperialize' its urban landscape, particularly through street names, as part of broader cultural appropriation efforts. This study reveals that despite intense state-led interventions—aimed at countering Polish influence—the local public resisted these changes, clinging to traditional place-names. The research combines critical place-name studies with the 'imperial turn,' demonstrating how imperial power dynamics shaped urban space in borderland towns, with Vilnius serving as a key case study of failed cultural assimilation.

Implications of illite X-ray diffraction characteristics and K–Ar dating for the tectonics of Mallorca (Spain)

Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana — 2025 — WHE95CD3BAC99

A pre-tectonic thermal event from the early Cretaceous, marked by a K–Ar age of 133–140 Ma and palaeotemperatures of 180–200°C, was identified in the Serra de Tramuntana of Mallorca using illite X-ray diffraction (XRD) characteristics and dating. This event reflects an extremely high geothermal gradient at the end of Mesozoic extension, predating the Oligocene–Miocene Alpine orogeny that shaped the mountain range. The study analyzed 16 samples from two outcrops, employing XRD, microscopy, microanalysis, and K–Ar dating on clay fractions. Pure volcanic rock samples yielded consistent ages, while contaminated samples confirmed the Cretaceous origin of the thermal event. Maximum palaeotemperatures during later tectonic burial were estimated to be below 250°C, preserving Cretaceous illite XRD features that indicate conditions near the diagenesis/anchimetamorphism boundary.

Importance of Peace for the Promotion of Tourism in Pakistan

Rohtas Fort — 2025 — WHEDC507E8BDF

Pakistan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Rohtas Fort, Mohenjo-Daro, and Taxila, alongside its breathtaking landscapes like those in Gilgit-Baltistan, hold immense potential to attract global tourism. However, the country has struggled to realize this due to a lack of peace and security, which are critical for sustainable tourism growth. The study highlights that internal conflicts and instability have significantly hindered Pakistan's tourism industry despite its rich cultural and natural heritage. Over the past decade, efforts to restore peace have begun to improve the nation's image and stimulate tourism, suggesting a direct correlation between stability and visitor numbers.

In choro, ad occidentem spectans. Les peintures de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe d’un autre point de vue

Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe — 2025 — WHEF191AC3E7E

A novel perspective on the painted nave of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe Abbey reveals that the spatial organization and perception of its murals were significantly influenced by the monastic closure, which separated the clergy from laypeople. The study identifies a previously understudied partition in the third bay, marked today only by a painted bestiary, which defined the monks' space and altered their view of the western paintings. This finding challenges conventional interpretations of the nave's cycle of Old Testament scenes and sheds light on lesser-known murals visible only when exiting the church after facing west. By integrating the monastic closure into the analysis, the research offers a fresh understanding of the distribution of paintings and the function of the western tower-porch.

In safe hands: moving the medieval archive of Durham Cathedral

Durham Castle and Cathedral — 2025 — WHED7C5BAE7E6

A large-scale, collaborative project successfully relocated Durham Cathedral's medieval archive while prioritizing preservation and addressing unique challenges. The initiative involved rigorous testing of packaging for shock absorption to mitigate transport turbulence and implemented weather-related mitigations. Beyond the move, it also enabled a comprehensive stock check and significantly improved the packaging of thousands of vulnerable items. This interdisciplinary effort showcased innovative, sustainable approaches that enhanced project efficiency. The study highlights the importance of preservation in large-scale archive relocations and offers practical solutions for similar projects.

In the Land of Olives and Vines: A Conversation about Climate Justice as Political Resistance in Palestine

Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir — 2025 — WHEFD839C4DC0

A unique exploration of climate justice as a form of political resistance emerges from the conversation between journalist Sheila Reid and three student journalists, centered around their live journalism piece 'Letter from Battir.' The work, developed during an international journalism course focused on food reporting through decolonial and community-based perspectives, sheds light on the struggles faced by the West Bank village of Battir. Presented at the 2023 International Live Journalism Festival, this piece highlights global climate issues, particularly in the context of Palestine's cultural landscape, offering a nuanced understanding of how local communities engage with climate justice as an act of defiance against systemic challenges.

In the Shadow of El Tajín: The Political Economy of Archaeology in Modern Mexico (intro)

El Tajin, Pre-Hispanic City — 2025 — WHE0B8532B48A

El Tajín, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Veracruz, Mexico, is often overlooked in global archaeology despite its rich history shaped by Indigenous Totonac labor and extractive industries. This study reveals how the site's transformation into an archaeological landmark silenced local Indigenous histories and decenters traditional narratives focused on tourism or state involvement. By centering the experiences of Indigenous workers and communities, Sam Holley-Kline exposes the political economy behind El Tajín’s development, highlighting the often-invisible labor networks that sustain such sites. The research combines historical analysis with Indigenous perspectives to challenge dominant discourses, offering a nuanced understanding of El Tajín’s past beyond its ancient ruins.

In the Shadow of George Cœdès: Jean-Yves Claeys and the Mission to Siam (1929)

Historic City of Ayutthaya — 2025 — WHE594775D525

A groundbreaking archaeological mission led by Jean-Yves Claeys in 1929, under the auspices of the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), revealed significant insights into Siam’s historic cities, including Ayutthaya. Despite working in the shadow of George Cœdès, Claeys contributed original observations and documentation, captured in a 1931 article and a silent documentary film now serving as a valuable archival record. This study revisits the mission's origins and its broader significance, highlighting its role in shaping EFEO’s relations with Siamese scholarly institutions during that era.

Inca Imperial Algorithms: Quipu, Qhapaq Ñan, and the Calculi of Spatial Control

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System — 2025 — WHE50CE3ADF4B

The Inca Empire, despite lacking an alphabetic writing system, developed sophisticated 'imperial algorithms'—the quipu and the Qhapaq Ñan—that enabled unprecedented spatial control, information management, and resource allocation. The quipu, a decimal positional knotted cord system, functioned as a data storage and communication tool, recording census details, tribute obligations, and narratives. Meanwhile, the Qhapaq Ñan, a 40,000-kilometer road network, facilitated rapid chasqui-runner communications, military logistics, and state control across the Andean terrain. This interdisciplinary study, integrating archaeology, ethnohistory, and systems theory, demonstrates how these systems were designed to sustain imperial cohesion and project power over vast distances, offering a unique model of ancient governance and logistical innovation.

Increased wildlife activity associated with tourism-related disturbances at a wilderness World Heritage area

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2025 — WHE686AD48864

A study on the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area reveals that some wildlife species, such as brush-tailed possums, rufous-bellied pademelons, bare-nosed wombats, and black currawongs, increase their activity in response to low-level tourism-related disturbances. However, eastern quolls exhibit higher activity inside the tourist precinct but avoid areas with heavy traffic or buildings. The research suggests that while certain species may tolerate or even benefit from minor disruptions, potential adverse impacts like roadkill, food dependency, and disease could emerge as visitation rates rise. The study used camera traps to monitor wildlife activity during peak tourism seasons, analyzing data in relation to habitat type, proximity to roads and buildings, and precinct boundaries. Habitat type proved a stronger influence on wildlife activity than tourism disturbances, with forests being more preferred by most species.

Increasing fruiting synchrony at the community level in an Afromontane tropical forest

Nyungwe National Park — 2025 — WHEB5F8252394

A 24-year study in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, reveals that fruit production synchrony among tree species has increased significantly since 2015, particularly for pioneer and non-pioneer light-demanding (NPLD) species. This shift toward greater synchrony coincides with higher fruit production, suggesting a shared response to environmental cues like irradiance. While shade-tolerant species showed less variation in fruiting patterns, pioneers exhibited the highest synchrony at mid-to-high elevations. The study highlights how changes in community-level fruit production can impact frugivore resource availability and ecosystem stability, with implications for biodiversity conservation.

India’s Archaeological Tapestry: From Prehistoric Settlements to Buddhist Monasteries

Ellora Caves — 2025 — WHE3CD55BC970

India's archaeological heritage, spanning from prehistoric settlements to Buddhist monasteries, reveals a rich tapestry of cultural, religious, and historical evolution. Key findings highlight the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley, characterized by advanced urban planning and trade networks, as well as the profound impact of Buddhism on Indian art, architecture, and intellectual discourse. The study emphasizes the syncretism between Greco-Roman and Indian artistic traditions, exemplified in sites like Ellora and Ajanta, where Buddhist and Hindu traditions coexisted. Modern archaeological techniques, including carbon dating and LiDAR, have significantly deepened our understanding of these sites, underscoring India's globally significant cultural legacy that extended beyond its borders to Central Asia, China, and Southeast Asia.

Indian Stage in Creative Activity of Le Corbusier. Chandigarh-City Project (1950–1960)

The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement — 2025 — WHE89F4A0941F

Le Corbusier's Chandigarh city project (1950–1960) exemplifies a groundbreaking synthesis of Western and Eastern modernist urban planning ideas, serving as a pivotal case study in the evolution of 20th-century architecture. The research identifies key socio-political and architectural design principles—integrated into master plans for pedestrian networks, transport systems, green spaces, and administrative centers—that reflect Le Corbusier's theoretical concepts while adapting to India's cultural context. This project stands out for its innovative approach, blending functionalism with aesthetic and political considerations, thereby influencing global urban development practices.

Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Management of Forest Resources in a Socio-Cultural Upheaval of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve Landscape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Okapi Wildlife Reserve — 2025 — WHEB0FFCC79A0

Indigenous knowledge systems play a crucial role in sustainable forest resource management within the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite rapid socio-cultural changes. The study reveals that customary taboos and restrictions effectively regulate hunting, fishing, gathering, and honey harvesting, contributing to biodiversity conservation. However, vulnerabilities such as biodiversity decline, erosion of intergenerational knowledge transmission, and increased reliance on monetary income are evident. A mixed-methods approach, including surveys (n = 80), focus group discussions, floristic inventories, and statistical analyses, demonstrated a highly structured socio-ecological gradient, indicating strong coupling between environmental perceptions, demographic identity, and livelihood strategies. The findings underscore the resilience of Indigenous Peoples but also highlight their exposure to ecological and cultural disruptions. Formal recognition of Indigenous institutions and integration of their knowledge systems into co-management frameworks are essential for strengthening ecological resilience and aligning conservation policies with global biodiversity and climate agendas.

Indigenous-settler relations at work in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park’s tourism industry

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park — 2025 — WHEA05F5FE60A

Despite nearly four decades of joint management, the Anangu people of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park remain among Australia's poorest communities, revealing systemic inequities in tourism governance. This study demonstrates that settler logics of work and tourism prioritization systematically defer Indigenous benefits, embedding cultural biases into the park's geographies and temporal structures. Through historical analysis and qualitative interviews with Anangu, Parks staff, and tourism workers, researchers expose entrenched dynamics that marginalize Indigenous lifeworlds while offering a framework for transformation. The findings underscore the need for shared understandings of 'good work' in intercultural contexts to challenge settler colonial power structures in Indigenous tourism industries.

Individual knowledge acquisition by teachers to promote the ecological value of sacred Kaya forests in southern Kenya

Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests — 2025 — WHE23646902AF

Environmental education remains underprioritized in Kenyan schools, with only one-third of teachers incorporating such topics into their lessons. A study found that teachers who had received environmental education themselves were more likely to integrate it into their teaching. However, there was a notable lack of emphasis on the conservation of Kaya forests for their spiritual heritage. Only those teachers with a personal connection to the local culture and Kaya forests recognized their high biological and cultural significance, underscoring the importance of integrating culturally relevant content in environmental education. The study recommends increasing the priority of environmental education in school curricula to foster awareness and preserve both biological and cultural diversity.