World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 23201 – 23220 of 30345 publications

Deformation of foundation stones and building on West cocoon warehouse of Tomioka Silk Mill

Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites — 2015 — WHE0D733BA76C

Researchers identified significant deformation patterns in the foundation stones and building of the West Cocoon Warehouse at Tomioka Silk Mill. The study found that the northern region exhibited substantial column tilting and floor subsidence, attributed to the consolidation settlement of cohesive soil. Maximum differences in elevation (E) between foundation stones were recorded as 43 mm, with notable disparities of up to 17 mm observed between four stones spaced 12.5 meters apart along the south and north walls. The investigation employed precise measurements of column inclination and floor unevenness to assess structural stability, providing critical insights into the long-term effects of soil compression on historical buildings constructed using 19th-century Western technology.

Democratising world heritage: The policies and practices of community involvement in Turkey

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2015 — WHE0C53C7509C

Turkey's efforts to integrate community involvement in UNESCO World Heritage management reflect a complex interplay between global standards and local politics. The study reveals that while these policies aim to democratize heritage governance, they often reinforce existing power hierarchies rather than challenge them. Using Çatalhöyük as a case study, the research applies Sally Merry’s concept of 'vernacularization' to analyze how Turkish officials adapt UNESCO's best practices, leading to contested ethical norms and governance structures. An ethnographic approach was employed to examine the social consequences of these policies, highlighting both unintended outcomes and the tension between transnational heritage ideals and state authority.

Demographic Change and Ethnic Survival among the Sedentary Populations on the Jesuit Mission Frontiers of Spanish South America, 1609-1803

Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos — 2015 — WHEE821650BB4

Despite severe mortality crises from epidemics, warfare, and famine, sedentary native populations on the Jesuit missions of Paraguay and Chiquitos survived and retained their unique ethnic identity between 1609 and 1803. This finding challenges conventional assumptions about Native American historical demography. The study analyzed demographic patterns, including the impact of old-world diseases like smallpox and measles, which occurred approximately every generation, killing thousands. By comparing these patterns with other mission populations, researchers contextualized the resilience and survival of the Paraguay and Chiquitos missions, highlighting their distinct demographic trajectories.

Dendroecological analysis of Fagus orientalis temperate rainforest in northern Turkey

Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands — 2015 — WHE21392AE6B7

An old-growth temperate rainforest in northern Turkey, part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Camili, exhibits characteristics consistent with gap dynamics, a key process shaping forest structure. This conclusion stems from a dendroecological analysis comparing three disturbance detection methods—radial growth averaging (RGA), boundary line method (BLm), and time series approach (TSa)—which revealed that tree growth and forest development are significantly influenced by periodic disturbances. The study, conducted on Fagus orientalis trees, also highlighted the forest's resilience to climate variability while noting that further research is needed to validate these findings across larger plots or through additional ecological investigations, such as seedling recruitment or canopy gap dynamics.

Density, size, and biomass of Diadema mexicanum (Echinoidea) in Eastern Tropical Pacific coral reefs

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo — 2015 — WHE5166BD0456

Low densities and small sizes of the sea urchin Diadema mexicanum across Eastern Tropical Pacific coral reefs, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Revillagigedo Archipelago, are primarily driven by predation from macrophagous fishes. This pattern likely stems from overfishing of top predators, which has cascading effects on lower trophic levels. The study, conducted at 12 localities between 2009 and 2010, found average densities of 0.47 ± 0.15 individuals per square meter, with most urchins measuring 2 to 3 cm in test diameter and a biomass of 0.26 ± 0.33 grams per square meter. These findings highlight the ecological vulnerability of ETP coral reefs, where increased macroalgal cover due to past El Niño events has intensified bioerosion activity by sea urchins, further weakening reef frameworks.

Dental calculus evidence of Taï Forest Chimpanzee plant consumption and life history transitions

Taï National Park — 2015 — WHE30242C9B08

Dental calculus from Taï Forest chimpanzees reveals long-term dietary patterns and behavioral insights, including weaning age and learned food processing techniques like nut-cracking. The study, combining high-resolution microremain analysis with over two decades of field observations, demonstrates that phytolith abundance in calculus accurately reflects plant diet proportions, though starches do not follow this pattern. This approach bridges dietary records and behavioral data, offering a novel method to interpret primate ecology and life history transitions.

Dental fluorosis and fluoride in Willoq and Cuzco: assumptions and reality in Peru

City of Cuzco — 2015 — WHE64FC9A2866

A low prevalence of dental fluorosis (DF) in the indigenous community of Willoq and higher levels in Cuzco, Peru, contradicts previous predictions based on fluoride (F) concentrations. The study found DF rates of 7% in Willoq and 29% in Cuzco, with corresponding Community Fluorosis Index values of 0.03 ± 0.13 and 0.60 ± 1.14, respectively. Water F levels were 0.285 mg/L in Willoq and 0.151 mg/L in Cuzco, while Arequipa's water had a concentration of 0.193 mg/L—all below the threshold for DF development. These findings challenge global DF predictions, suggesting unaccounted F sources or inaccuracies in current models. The study used Dean’s Index to assess DF and EPA method 340.2 to measure F concentrations, providing critical data for refining public health interventions.

Depleting Indigenous Knowledge of Medicinal Plants in Cold-Arid Region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks — 2015 — WHECBE5027335

A significant decline in indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants is observed among ethnic communities in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya. The study documents 38 medicinal plants used to treat 24 ailments, but their use is dwindling due to limited education and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Analysis using the Knowledge Richness Index reveals disparities across age groups, highlighting urgent conservation needs for this traditional wisdom. To address this, the research advocates for educational initiatives and the development of digital platforms like those recognized under the Convention on Biological Diversity to preserve and disseminate ethno-medicinal knowledge.

Depsipeptide Companeramides from a Panamanian Marine Cyanobacterium Associated with the Coibamide Producer

Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection — 2015 — WHE83F63405CE

Researchers have identified two novel cyclic depsipeptides, companeramides A and B, derived from a marine cyanobacterium found in Coiba National Park, Panama. These compounds exhibit high nanomolar antiplasmodial activity, making them promising candidates for malaria treatment, while showing no significant cytotoxicity to human cancer cell lines at tested doses. The study employed NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, Marfey's methodology, and chiral-phase HPLC analysis to determine the planar structures and absolute configurations of the companeramides. This discovery builds on previous findings related to coibamide A, another potent toxin from the same cyanobacterial source.

Der bedrohte David

City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg — 2015 — WHE98E4C93F04

The motif of David in danger, central to narratives from 1 Samuel and 1 Kings, has been identified as a recurring theme with significant cultural resonance. This study marks the first comprehensive examination of these texts collectively, revealing their enduring influence on Early Modern art and literature. Notably, the theme is exemplified in works such as Benito Arias Montano’s text on David, the ceiling frescos at Schloss Eggenberg near Graz, and drawings by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Rubens, and Boeckhorst. The research approach involves a thorough analysis of these texts and their artistic representations, highlighting the motif's pervasive presence and its impact across different mediums.

Der Name des bedeutendsten steinzeitlichen Baudenkmals der Iberischen Halbinsel

Antequera Dolmens Site — 2015 — WHEC21E531821

A mythical female figure lies at the heart of the name 'Menga,' attributed to the most significant megalithic monument on the Iberian Peninsula, the Cueva de Menga in Antequera (Malaga). This study reveals that the name stems from an anthroponym linked to popular traditions, where medieval Castilian settlers credited this enigmatic figure with constructing dolmens. By analyzing similar place names and archaeological documentation, researchers uncovered a widespread onomastic mechanism rooted in folklore across Iberia and parts of Europe, shedding light on how myth and history intertwine in the naming of prehistoric sites.

Derek Jarman’s garden at Prospect Cottage, Dungeness, and his Avebury paintings

Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites — 2015 — WHEF2CE9DC590

Derek Jarman’s artistic engagement with Avebury reveals a unique intersection of landscape, memory, and identity. His paintings, created during the 1980s, capture the mystical and historical essence of Avebury, blending personal reflection with cultural commentary. The study examines how Jarman’s work, often overshadowed by his filmmaking and activism, offers a distinct perspective on the site’s significance. Through an analysis of his paintings and garden at Prospect Cottage, Dungeness, the research highlights Jarman’s contribution to the interpretation of Avebury as both an artistic subject and a symbol of queer heritage.

Description of a new species of Potamonautes MacLeay, 1838, from the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park — 2015 — WHECDC27FC903

Researchers have identified and described a new species of freshwater crab, Potamonautesisimangaliso, from the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in South Africa. This discovery was made through genetic analysis, revealing a 7.4-7.8% divergence in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from its closest relative, Potamonauteslividus. The new species is distinguished by unique carapace characteristics, coloration, and size, as well as its habitat preference for oxygen-poor, ephemeral pans—a stark contrast to the surface water-dependent P. lividus. The study also provides an updated identification key for South African Potamonautes species, aiding in future taxonomic research.

Description of the final stadium larvae of Onychargia atrocyana Selys, 1865 from Sarawak, identified using DNA barcoding (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae), with an overview of larval characters in the Platycnemididae

Gunung Mulu National Park — 2015 — WHEDC6F131D18

Scientists have identified the final stadium larva of Onychargia atrocyana, a damselfly species endemic to Borneo, using DNA barcoding techniques. This marks the first description of the larval stage for any member of the subfamily Onychargiinae. By comparing mitochondrial COI gene sequences from larval specimens collected in Gunung Mulu National Park with those of known adult specimens across Sarawak and West Malaysia, researchers confirmed the species' identity with high certainty due to its taxonomic isolation. The study also provides a comparative analysis of larval morphology within the Platycnemididae family, offering insights into potential phylogenetic relationships. This discovery contributes to our understanding of damselfly biodiversity in Southeast Asia.

Desert pastoralists: the Kel Tadrart Tuareg from south west Libya

Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus — 2015 — WHE3DACFD92ED

A multi-year ethnoarchaeological study of the Kel Tadrart Tuareg, desert pastoralists from Libya’s Tadrart Acacus massif, reveals critical insights into their adaptation to arid environments and patchy resources. The research, conducted between 2003 and 2011, employed a comprehensive approach to explore interactions with natural resources, settlement patterns, campsite layouts, and site abandonment processes. Findings highlight the resilience and sustainability of dryland pastoralism, offering valuable data for archaeologists, anthropologists, and stakeholders invested in understanding human-environment dynamics in extreme conditions.

Design and installation of the optic based monitoring system applied to the Luiz I Bridge

Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar — 2015 — WHECDAEC22FA9

A groundbreaking optic-based monitoring system has been successfully designed and installed on the historic Luiz I Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to 19th-century Portuguese industrial engineering. This innovative approach leverages optical technology to ensure the structural integrity of the bridge, which has been in continuous operation since its construction in 1886 by Belgian engineer Teophile Seyrig, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel. The system aims to provide real-time data on the bridge's condition, facilitating proactive maintenance and preserving its cultural and historical significance. This study represents a significant advancement in bridge preservation techniques, combining traditional engineering with cutting-edge optical monitoring to safeguard this iconic landmark for future generations.

Design Competition for the Fonciére Palace, Andrássy Avenue, Budapest – A Pivotal Moment

Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue — 2015 — WHE3CF90C9C45

The Fonciére Palace, a neo-Renaissance building on Andrássy Avenue in Budapest, underwent a pivotal design competition in the 1880s that shaped early architectural culture in the city. Adolf Feszty's winning design featured a monumental cupola at its corner, which significantly enhanced its urban impact but was destroyed during World War II and later removed. The absence of this element has drastically reduced the building's architectural value, highlighting the competition's historical significance. This study analyzes the competition's stages and Feszty's role, emphasizing how architects' responses to the palace's urban setting became a defining aspect of its design legacy.

Design of an Integrated Monitoring System for Constructional Structures Based on Mobile Cloud in Traditional Towns with Local Heritage

Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong — 2015 — WHECF83BEEC91

A novel integrated monitoring system for constructional structures, leveraging mobile cloud technology, has been designed to address critical challenges in long-term maintenance and disaster prevention. This system enables real-time data collection and analysis of over 10,000 structures across Korea, including timber bridges in Asan Oeam Village and traditional houses in Andong Hahoe Village, using probabilistic and statistical techniques. Unlike conventional systems, it allows for continuous hardware upgrades and software modifications without dependency on original developers, enhancing flexibility and adaptability to advances in ICT. Performance validation through TTA authentication, web accommodation, and operation tests with emulated data confirms the system's effectiveness.

Designing for Luxury on the Bay of Naples: Villas and Landscapes (c. 100 B.C.E.–79 C.E.)

Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata — 2015 — WHE4A00585710

Roman luxury villas on the Bay of Naples (c. 100 B.C.E.–79 C.E.) were designed to maximize sensory engagement with the landscape, challenging traditional architectural norms. Unlike urban domus with inward-focused symmetry and circulatory cores, these villas lacked a performative center, instead employing 'perforated space'—a design principle that prioritized fluid connectivity, air circulation, and visual links to the surrounding environment. This approach, evident in the second and fourth styles of wall painting, redefined domestic architecture as an extension of nature rather than a protected cave-like structure. The study analyzed five villas using dispersed building perspectives, revealing their multifunctional, landscape-integrated designs through detailed design analysis and archaeological data. Key findings include the absence of Vitruvian symmetry in villa architecture and the emphasis on water features (fountains, piscinae) as central sensory elements.

Detecting and locating volcanic tremors on the Klyuchevskoy group of volcanoes (Kamchatka) based on correlations of continuous seismic records

Volcanoes of Kamchatka — 2015 — WHE6DE9FC0D67

Researchers have developed advanced seismic analysis techniques to detect and locate volcanic tremors with high precision at the Klyuchevskoy group of volcanoes in Kamchatka. By analyzing cross-correlations of continuous seismic records, they identified distinct signals between 0.2 and 2 Hz, which correspond to tremors emitted by different volcanoes. Two innovative methods—source-scanning based on envelope summation and phase-matching—were used to distinguish tremors from Klyuchevskoy and Tolbachik volcanoes, enabling real-time monitoring of their intensity. This study advances volcanic tremor detection, offering potential for improved hazard assessment at active volcanic sites.