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Conveyance of preaching by vulnerable listeners – A case study of farm workers in the Vredefort Dome South Africa

Vredefort Dome — 2015 — WHE18DAF6FADA

Farm workers living near the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site, among South Africa's most vulnerable populations, demonstrated limited but meaningful dissemination of religious messages. While they did not regularly share sermons, they could edify and encourage other vulnerable individuals when needed. Direct post-service discussions about sermons increased their confidence to proclaim these messages to those who do not attend worship services. This qualitative case study, involving four participants, explored the dynamics of preaching to and among vulnerable communities, highlighting the potential for peer-to-peer reinforcement in such contexts.

Convict Labour Extraction and Transportation from Britain and Ireland, 1615–1870

Australian Convict Sites — 2015 — WHEA41FF9B1D1

UNESCO's 2010 inscription of eleven Australian convict sites onto the World Heritage Register recognized convict transportation as a significant global mobilization of unfree labor, comparable to slavery and indenture. These sites illustrate the institutional structures governing the lives of over 166,000 convicts transported from Britain and Ireland between 1787 and 1868, highlighting Australia's pivotal role as the most substantial penal destination. The listing validated arguments that convict labor was integral to shaping modern societies, with Australia distinguished by its scale and diversity of experiences endured by convicts.

Convicts and commodities: An archaeological approach to the economic value of the Western Australian penal system

Australian Convict Sites — 2015 — WHE572195ECE3

Archaeological analysis of artefacts from Fremantle Prison reveals that the Western Australian penal system, introduced in 1850, significantly boosted the local economy by injecting capital through institutional purchases and wage-earner spending. The study found that while some capital leaked out via imports, a substantial portion circulated within the local market, highlighting the economic impact of the convict system's structure. By comparing artefacts from institutional and wage-earner contexts, researchers demonstrated how different aspects of the penal system influenced purchasing patterns and economic benefits.

Cooperation and tensions in multiethnic corporate societies using Teotihuacan, Central Mexico, as a case study

Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan — 2015 — WHE775B7ECC6C

Teotihuacan's multiethnic society, shaped by volcanic displacements and strategic elite actions, revealed complex dynamics of cooperation and tension. The ruling elite controlled distant raw materials while intermediate elites competed to display sumptuary goods like cotton attire, pigments, and pottery, fostering neighborhood identity. This competition, coupled with the corporate structure at the societal extremes, introduced tensions that may have contributed to Teotihuacan's eventual collapse. The study uses archaeological evidence to analyze these dynamics, highlighting the role of elite strategies in shaping urban society.

Coordination between Understanding Historic Buildings and BIM Modelling: A 3D-Output Oriented and typological Data Capture Method

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2015 — WHE8C2D5040C5

A novel 'structure-and-type method' enables seamless coordination between the understanding of historic buildings and Building Information Modeling (BIM), addressing the shift from 2D to 3D-output oriented surveys. This approach integrates typological methods from archaeology, Revit family systems, and tectonic logic, as demonstrated through case studies at two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Summer Palace in Beijing and Jiayuguan Pass on the Great Wall. The method enhances the accuracy and efficiency of BIM modeling for historic structures by capturing data in a way that aligns with architectural understanding and typological classification, offering a robust framework for future preservation efforts.

Cosmopolitanism in Mexican Visual Culture

Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan — 2015 — WHEF963D2DE1C

Art historian María Fernández redefines cosmopolitanism as a fluctuating complex of relations, material and virtual, where power plays a cohesive yet unstable role. Her study examines Mexican visual culture through eight case studies, from colonial monuments to modern 'relational architecture,' revealing how cosmopolitanism is intertwined with power, violence, and the haunting legacy of colonialism. A key finding is that the cultural valorization of ancient sites like Teotihuacan during the Porfiriato period was often built on the destruction of living indigenous cultures, illustrating the dual nature of modernization and its consequences.

Countermeasure against Fire Disaster in Regional Heritage Villages on the Concept of ICT-Based Disaster Prevention Design

Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong — 2015 — WHE3C2B894599

A strategic approach to safeguarding regional heritage villages from fire disasters, particularly those triggered by earthquakes, has been proposed using ICT-based disaster prevention design (DPD). The study analyzed existing fire security systems and historical records of earthquake occurrences in three Korean folk villages—Asan Oeam, Jeonju Hanok, and Andong Hahoe—to identify patterns and risks. By examining international fire-prevention strategies from Japan, the U.S., and Europe, researchers developed a more systematic and effective framework to mitigate fire damages in these culturally significant sites. This approach aims to address the increasing severity of earthquakes and their secondary effects, such as disruptions in utilities, which often lead to catastrophic fires.

Courts, art, and power

Naumburg Cathedral — 2015 — WHE32EAD28CD7

A notable artistic evolution emerged during the later Middle Ages (1250–1500), challenging perceptions of cultural stagnation. This period saw the advent of verisimilitude in Western art, with sculptures like those in Naumburg Cathedral's West Choir (c. 1240–50) pioneering lifelike representations—unseen since the Roman Empire. By the early 14th century, identifiable portraits appeared, particularly in devotional art, often commissioned by elite patrons, including princely courts. These courts served as crucibles for Renaissance culture, fostering diplomatic, artistic, and political practices that shaped early modern Europe. The study traces how later medieval civilization, through its patronage systems and iconography of power, laid the foundation for humanism, individualism, and the 'new' monarchies of the 16th century.

Creative by Way of Adaption: Ramayana Relief of Prambanan Temple

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2015 — WHEF6A6AE9909

This study reveals that the creation of the Ramayana reliefs at Prambanan Temple follows the theory of adaptation, as proposed by Linda Hutcheon. The research focuses on the visual aesthetics of these narrative reliefs, which encircle the inner walls of the temple in Kalasan, Yogyakarta. By analyzing the adaptation process of the ancient epic Ramayana legend (by Valmiki), the study suggests that the later artistic rendition of these reliefs was shaped through this theoretical framework. The approach combines art historical analysis with theoretical adaptations, offering insights into how cultural narratives are visually reinterpreted in religious and architectural contexts.

Crowding standards at Petra Archaeological Park: a comparative study of McKercher's five types of heritage tourists

Petra — 2015 — WHE4B472246F8

Tourists' tolerance for crowding at Petra Archaeological Park decreases significantly with the number of visitors, particularly among highly motivated heritage tourists such as purposeful and sightseeing types. This finding, derived from a comparative study using McKercher's typology of heritage tourists, provides normative standards to guide sustainable management of visitor numbers. The research employed visual methods and normative theory to assess crowding perceptions across different tourist groups, offering actionable insights for balancing tourism sustainability with visitor experience.

Crusader Heritages and Imperial Preservation

Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din — 2015 — WHEE109710F2E

France's colonial-era preservation of the Crac des Chevaliers, a Crusader castle in Syria, reveals how imperial narratives shaped heritage conservation. Acquired and restored by France in 1934, the site was promoted as both a symbol of French architectural primacy and an early chapter of its empire. The Museum of French Monuments, founded in 1879, played a key role in this narrative, initially showcasing comparative sculpture but later rebranding to emphasize French influence globally. Through exhibitions like the 1931 Colonial Exhibition, France intertwined national and colonial identities, positioning Crusader heritage as a proxy for broader imperial claims. This study highlights how heritage preservation served dual purposes: domestic nationalism and international prestige, demonstrating the political dimensions of cultural conservation.

Culicoides midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) as vectors of orbiviruses in Slovakia.

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula — 2015 — WHE755B7706FD

A road-killed Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in Italy revealed the first documented case of adiaspiromycosis, a pulmonary disease caused by the soil fungus Emmonsia spp. Histological analysis showed multifocal round structures with a thick, PAS-positive tri-laminar wall and central basophilic mass within alveoli, surrounded by severe granulomatous inflammation. The otter's lesions included cholesterol granulomas, suggesting systemic involvement. This finding extends knowledge of adiaspiromycosis in Mustelidae, previously reported in otters across Europe but not Italy. The discovery underscores the potential for incidental fungal infections in apparently healthy wildlife, with implications for veterinary pathology and conservation efforts.

Cultural heritage management and monitoring using remote sensing data and GIS: The case study of Paphos area, Cyprus

Paphos — 2015 — WHEF8FB2C58EF

A multidisciplinary approach combining remote sensing and GIS analysis effectively assesses the risk to cultural heritage sites in Paphos, Cyprus. The study maps natural and anthropogenic hazards using satellite data and evaluates their impact on monuments, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. By integrating these hazards into a GIS environment and applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, researchers can understand current conservation challenges and predict future risks. This cost-effective method provides valuable insights for preserving Paphos' rich archaeological landscape.

Cultural values and sustainable forest management: the case of Europe

Historic Centre of Florence — 2015 — WHE2B081F49FA

European forests, shaped by centuries of human activity, hold significant cultural heritage value yet are often managed using ecological conservation tools that overlook their biocultural significance. Research reveals a critical gap: while Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in Europe prioritizes ecological and economic values, sociocultural values remain underrepresented, threatening the preservation of forests' historical identity. The study highlights how an emphasis on 'naturalness' risks erasing cultural landscapes, promoting abandonment rather than sustainable stewardship. It advocates for integrating tools like the MCPFE Guidelines and the UNESCO-sCBD Florence Declaration to reconcile cultural heritage with SFM practices, ensuring forests are managed holistically as biocultural assets.

Dacic Ancient Astronomical Research in Sarmizegetuza

Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains — 2015 — WHE135B736D77

Research reveals that the Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains, particularly Sarmizegetusa Regia, served as astronomical observation shrines and solar calendars. The Great Circular Sanctuary, a key site in these mountains, was used for celestial observations and ritualistic purposes, suggesting an advanced understanding of astronomy among the Dacians. This study reinterprets the Dacian civilization's cosmogony by analyzing historical evidence and architectural features, challenging previous assumptions about their societal structures and beliefs.

Dádivas preciosas en marfil: la política del regalo en la corte omeya andalusí

Caliphate City of Medina Azahara — 2015 — WHEDEFE572B69

Luxurious ivory gifts from the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba, particularly those produced at the palatial city of Madinat al-Zahra’, reveal a sophisticated political discourse centered on prestige and authority. These exquisite artifacts, crafted in official workshops, served as dialectical tools to reinforce power dynamics within the Andalusian court. The study analyzes preserved ivory pieces to uncover how regal gifts functioned as both symbols of sovereignty and instruments of diplomatic engagement, offering rare insights into the sumptuary practices of medieval Western Europe.

Data assessment for water demand and supply balance on the island of Santa Cruz (Galápagos Islands)

Galápagos Islands — 2015 — WHE684039C700

A high per capita water demand of approximately 370 liters per day (lpcpd) has been identified on Santa Cruz Island, the most populated of the Galápagos Islands, despite its water-scarce environment. This finding stems from a data assessment study that analyzed total water supply and demand, highlighting significant pressure on local resources due to rapid population growth and tourism expansion. The research compared two main urban settlements and evaluated constraints faced by the Municipal Department of Potable Water and Sanitation. By quantifying water sources and their contributions, the study provides critical insights for developing a comprehensive water balance, essential for ensuring reliable and continuous safe drinking water supply in the region.

De gestas, de salvajes y de mártires. El relato maestro sobre el Fuerte San José reconsiderado desde la arqueología histórica (Península Valdés, Pcia. de Chubut, siglo XVIII)

Península Valdés — 2015 — WHE913BD17323

Historical archaeology challenges the traditional master narrative of Argentina's colonial history, revealing that the Spanish settlement at San José Fort on Península Valdés was not merely a Eurocentric or colonialist endeavor but involved complex interactions with local actors and material cultures. This study exposes how the dominant historiographic account has shaped national identity by legitimizing the state's temporal depth and spatial extent through retrospective justification. By adopting a decolonial perspective, the research sheds new light on the colonial process in Patagonia, uncovering previously overlooked spaces, processes, and materialities that were marginalized in national and provincial historiography.

De Novo Transcriptome Assembly in Firmiana danxiaensis, a Tree Species Endemic to the Danxia Landform

China Danxia — 2015 — WHE1B68974E31

Researchers identified key genetic adaptations in Firmiana danxiaensis, a tree species endemic to the UNESCO-listed Danxia Landform in China. The study revealed 263 genes linked to cadmium (Cd) resistance, explaining its high Cd accumulation, and uncovered a whole-genome duplication event (~20 million years ago) that may have driven speciation. Transcriptome analysis of 47,221 unigenes highlighted genes involved in stress responses, nutritional starvation, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, offering insights into survival in extreme rocky environments. The findings suggest genetic mechanisms underlying environmental adaptation and diversification in Firmiana species.

Deep-plant: Plant identification with convolutional neural networks

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — 2015 — WHE16C6F90FE1

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can identify plant species by learning unique features, particularly venation patterns of different orders, without relying on manually crafted data. This approach demonstrates superiority over existing methods when combined with various classifiers. Researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, tested this system using 44 plant species, employing a visualization technique based on deconvolutional networks to interpret the CNN's learned features. The study highlights CNNs' potential for unsupervised feature learning in plant identification, offering a more efficient and accurate alternative to traditional techniques.