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Myth, Memento, and Memory: Avebury (Wiltshire, England)

Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites — 2015 — WHED64FBF6D1B

Monuments, like Leonard Shelby’s tattoos in Memento, serve as mementos that require interpretation by future generations, often losing their original meaning over time. Wheatley argues that just as Shelby’s amnesia forces him to reconstruct his past through physical traces, human communities encounter prehistoric sites without the cultural memory of their creators' intentions. These monuments, inscribed on the landscape, become distorted or misinterpreted, much like Shelby’s notes and photos, leading to unintended actions. The study contrasts this model with traditional biographical narratives, suggesting that mementos—whether tattoos or earthworks—better represent how past traces shape future behavior while being subject to interpretation and cultural drift.

Nabatean Tombs Orientation By Remote Sensing: Provisional Results

Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) — 2015 — WHE202B3E7CC4

A study analyzing the orientation of 32 Nabatean rock-cut tombs at Hegra (al-Hijr / Madāʾin Ṣāliḥ) and Petra, Jordan, reveals no dominant alignment despite notable orientations toward cardinal directions. The research suggests that some tombs align with sunrise, sunset, or solstitial/sunrise events, potentially allowing sunlight to enter intricately sculpted facades—a feature likely designed for elite burial sites. Using Google Earth satellite imagery combined with in-situ compass and total station measurements, the study found a positional error of approximately 20 meters between remote sensing data and ground truth. However, definitive conclusions on deliberate orientation remain inconclusive due to limited evidence.

Namib Desert dune/interdune transects exhibit habitat-specific edaphic bacterial communities

Namib Sand Sea — 2015 — WHE39C0165C1A

Research in the Namib Sand Sea reveals that distinct bacterial communities inhabit specific dune and interdune zones, shaped by habitat stability, soil texture, and nutrient content. The study analyzed 125 soil samples from five parallel transects using T-RFLP and 454 pyrosequencing, identifying four unique bacterial profiles—dune top, slope, base, and interdune—linked to physicochemical gradients. Habitat filtering emerged as a key driver of microbial diversity in this hyper-arid environment, highlighting the complex interplay between soil properties and bacterial community structure.

Nanoarchaeota, Their Sulfolobales Host, and Nanoarchaeota Virus Distribution across Yellowstone National Park Hot Springs

Yellowstone National Park — 2015 — WHE937C64F1B7

A groundbreaking discovery reveals the presence of Nanoarchaeota, obligate symbionts with reduced genomes, thriving in high-temperature (∼90°C), acidic (pH ≈ 2.5 to 3.0) hot springs within Yellowstone National Park (YNP). This finding challenges previous assumptions that Nanoarchaeota were exclusive to marine thermal vent environments. Single-cell genome analysis identified two nearly identical genomes, more closely related to the recently proposed Nanobsidianus stetteri from a neutral YNP hot spring than to the marine Nanoarchaeum equitans. The study employed community metagenomics and single-cell analysis, alongside catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH), to pinpoint Sulfolobales as their host species. Additionally, an integrated viral sequence within one Nanoarchaeota genome suggests a virus replicating within these symbionts, indicating a complex microbial ecosystem in YNP's acidic hot springs.

Narratives of Peace and Progress: Atomic Museums in Japan and New Mexico

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) — 2015 — WHE791847E223

Cultural narratives of nuclear history diverge sharply between Japan and the United States, revealing contrasting memories of progress and loss. A 1991 collage by Japanese-American artist Patrick Nagatani juxtaposes scientific exhibits from New Mexico's Bradbury Science Museum with haunting imagery of Hiroshima's atomic bomb victims—ghostly children and glass jars containing bodily remains—to highlight these differences. The study analyzes the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Bradbury Science Museum, demonstrating how sites of memory can both foster group healing and expose deep cultural divides tied to trauma. This work underscores how public remembrance shapes national identity, blending scientific achievement with human suffering in complex and often conflicting ways.

Nasal probe and toothpick tool use by a wild female bearded capuchin (Sapajus libidinosus)

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2015 — WHE1E0A5A5288

Researchers document the first observation of probe tool use by a wild adult female bearded capuchin (Sapajus libidinosus) at Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil. The individual employed stick tools and grass stems to probe her nostrils, often eliciting sneezes, and used sticks to clean her teeth or gums. These self-directed behaviors—dubbed 'nasal probe' and 'toothpick'—have not been previously reported in wild capuchins. While male capuchins at the site commonly use tools for foraging, this female's novel actions expand the known behavioral repertoire of the species. The study highlights idiosyncratic tool-use patterns in wild primates, offering new insights into cognitive and behavioral flexibility.

National Treasures Program Strategies for Engaging Diverse Communities

La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico — 2015 — WHEAE8CA940A4

A key insight from the study is that engaging diverse and previously underrepresented communities can significantly enhance the preservation and recognition of historic sites. The research demonstrates how strategic outreach to new constituencies, such as African American churches near Fort Monroe or Native American tribes associated with Chimney Rock, can lead to national monument designations. This approach involves collaborating with community leaders, leveraging existing partnerships (e.g., Crow Canyon Archaeological Center), and tailoring advocacy efforts to reflect the cultural significance of these sites. The study also highlights the importance of respectful engagement and trust-building in preservation efforts, as seen in the successful designation of Chimney Rock National Monument through coordinated tribal support.

Native plant species richness on Eastern Polynesia’s remote atolls

Henderson Island — 2015 — WHED18BC68F81

Native plant species richness on remote atolls in Eastern Polynesia is primarily influenced by atoll area and proximity to raised atolls or large volcanic islands, such as Makatea and Tahiti. These factors explain 47.1% and 36.9% of the variation in species richness, respectively, while isolation indices show no significant relationship. The study analyzed 49 remote atolls with complete botanical surveys, using Spearman’s rank correlation and linear regression to assess eight abiotic predictors, including area, elevation, shoreline length, and distances to potential refugia or stepping-stone islands. Findings suggest that larger atolls with closer proximity to raised landmasses support greater species diversity, indicating the role of these areas as dispersal hubs during sea-level changes.

Nd:YAG long Q-switched versus short free-running laser cleaning trials at Chartres cathedral, France

Chartres Cathedral — 2015 — WHEAC93DC8833

Laser cleaning trials using Nd:YAG (1064 nm) devices on outdoor sculptures at Chartres Cathedral, France, revealed that short free-running (SFR) mode at 300 mJ output energy and long Q-switched (LQS) mode at 150 mJ output energy effectively preserved the oxalate layer lining the stone surface while removing black crust. The LQS mode resulted in a slightly yellowed appearance, whereas the SFR mode produced a darker but less yellow surface. Microscopic and scanning electron microscope analyses confirmed that both laser regimes maintained the oxalate layer, with minimal trace of black crust remaining under the chosen operating conditions. These findings suggest that precise control over laser parameters can optimize cleaning efficacy while safeguarding the stone's structural integrity.

Nelson Mandela, Robben Island and the Imagination of a New South Africa

Robben Island — 2015 — WHE7CCFBC5659

Robben Island's prison experience, particularly during Nelson Mandela's incarceration from 1962 to the early 1990s, significantly shaped South Africa's discourse on belonging. The study reveals that through formal education and informal seminars, Mandela and his fellow prisoners grappled with complex questions of identity, race, nation, and political economy. This process allowed them to articulate and rehearse alternative visions for a post-apartheid South Africa, demonstrating the transformative power of collective introspection and debate in redefining national identity.

Nest-site selection, breeding success, and diet of white-tailed eagles(Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Danube Delta, Romania

Danube Delta — 2015 — WHE0C14D9AA2F

White-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Danube Delta, Romania, primarily nest in tall trees, such as willows and white poplars, with most nests built above 15 meters. The breeding population is concentrated in the northern and northwestern parts of the delta, likely due to the availability of suitable nesting sites in less-disturbed areas. Despite a diverse diet consisting of birds, fish, and mammals—with wildfowl and large cyprinids being the most significant contributors—the population exhibits low breeding success, with an average of 0.67 fledglings per pair. The study suggests that maintaining or providing artificial nesting sites could be crucial for sustaining this population, which is locally important but has been understudied compared to other European regions.

Nesvyžiaus Radvilų Bibliotekos Paveldas Lietuvoje

Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh — 2015 — WHEFDA25506F5

The Radziwills, a prominent aristocratic family from the Great Duchy of Lithuania, assembled one of the largest private book collections in the region during the 16th to 18th centuries. However, after the first partition of Poland in 1772, this extensive library was relocated to St. Petersburg, leaving only scattered remnants in Lithuanian libraries today. Recent international efforts, including virtual reconstructions and collaborative projects, have revived interest in preserving and studying this dispersed cultural heritage. Key surviving copies, marked with Radziwill ex-librises, are housed in institutions such as the Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, Vilnius University, Kaunas University of Technology, and the Kazys Varnelis house-museum. A digital catalogue compiled by the Karol Estreicher Institute of Polish Bibliography further documents this legacy, highlighting its significance for both academic research and cultural preservation.

New Additions to the Liverwort Flora of Subantarctic Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island — 2015 — WHE2B9E437FE0

A recent study has significantly expanded the known liverwort flora of Macquarie Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Subantarctic. Researchers identified 16 new species, including two non-type varieties, bringing the total number of recorded liverworts on the island to 62. This makes Macquarie Island's hepatic diversity second only to South Georgia in the Subantarctic region. The study also introduced a new combination for Lophocolea novaezeelandiae var. meridionalis. The findings were derived from detailed taxonomic analysis, contributing valuable insights into the biodiversity of this remote and ecologically significant site.

New arsenate minerals from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. III. Popovite, Cu5O2(AsO4)2

Volcanoes of Kamchatka — 2015 — WHECECF259091

Researchers have discovered popovite, a novel arsenate mineral with the formula Cu5O2(AsO4)2, in the sublimates of the Arsenatnaya fumarole at Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka. This mineral occurs as prismatic or tabular crystals and crusts, exhibiting an olive green to dark olive-green color with a vitreous to greasy luster. Popovite is characterized by its triclinic crystal structure, featuring (010) layers of Cu(1)O6 octahedra and isolated AsO4 tetrahedra, which contribute to its unique framework. The discovery was made through electron-microprobe analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing a novel structure type not previously documented in mineralogy. Popovite is named after Russian mineralogists Vladimir and Valentina Popov, honoring their significant contributions to the field.

New botanical discoveries of Myrtaceae from Bolivia and notes on Psidium hians

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park — 2015 — WHEF7D96D951E

Researchers have identified Myrcia proencana, a new species of Myrtaceae, from the Serranía de Huanchaca within Bolivia's Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. This discovery highlights the region's rich botanical diversity and contributes to the understanding of Myrtaceae species in South America. The study also reclassifies Psidium hians as an accepted name while including P. nutans in its synonymy, resolving taxonomic ambiguities. Additionally, five other Myrtaceae species—Eugenia paranahybensis, E. pitanga, E. suberosa, Psidium misionum, and P. myrsinites—are reported for the first time in Bolivia's flora, expanding the known distribution of these plants.

New data from fortified coastal settlement of Cap de Forma, Maó-Menorca (Balearic Islands)

Talayotic Menorca — 2015 — WHEB8A456C0CE

New radiometric data from the fortified coastal settlement of Cap de Forma, Menorca, reveals insights into the early Talayotic period, a significant phase in the island's prehistory. The study, focusing on three living spaces adjacent to an atypical cyclopean monument, provides chronological context for artifacts and structures dating back to the beginning of this period. Located on a strategic isthmus near a natural harbor, the site offers a rare glimpse into the architectural and cultural practices of Talayotic settlements. The research employs radiometric techniques to interpret recent archaeological findings, contributing to our understanding of the region's protohistorical development.

New dental and isotope evidence of biological distance and place of origin for mass burial groups at C ahokia's mound 72

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2015 — WHE79F053901B

A new analysis challenges the notion that mass burial groups at Cahokia's Mound 72 were non-local sacrificial offerings, instead suggesting they may have originated from within the region. Using dental morphology and strontium isotope (Sr) analyses, researchers found these individuals phenotypically similar to other regional groups, with Sr signatures aligning with Cahokia's local range. However, one burial group (F229-lower) exhibited distinct biological traits, indicating possible migration or a restricted population from an outside region with a similar Sr signature. This study refines interpretations of early Mississippian sociopolitical dynamics at Cahokia by integrating multiple indicators of relatedness and origin.

New discoveries in a Nabataean tomb. Burial practices and ‘plant jewellery’ in ancient Hegra (Madâ’in Sâlih, Saudi Arabia)

Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) — 2015 — WHE9596A69E9E

Excavations at the Nabataean tomb IGN 117 in Madâ’in Sâlih (ancient Hegra, Saudi Arabia) revealed unprecedented 'plant jewellery'—pierced dates strung with date-palm leaflets on fabric and leather. This rare find, dating to the Nabataean-Roman period (1st–4th century AD), challenges our understanding of funerary practices in the Near East. The discovery, analyzed through interdisciplinary methods, sheds light on burial rituals, including body preservation techniques, while raising questions about the symbolic significance of date palms in ancient funerary contexts.

New Fossil Ephemeroptera and Coleoptera from the Ladinian(Middle Triassic) of Canton Ticino (Switzerland)

Monte San Giorgio — 2015 — WHEEF8F20E165

A groundbreaking discovery from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Monte San Giorgio has uncovered two new fossil insects from the Middle Triassic period, providing unprecedented insights into ancient ecosystems. The findings include Tintorina triassica, a novel species of mayfly representing a potentially new family and suborder within Ephemeroptera, and Notocupes sp., an elytron belonging to the Cupedidae family of beetles. These fossils mark the first insect discoveries in the renowned deposits of Monte San Giorgio-Besano, primarily celebrated for its vertebrate fossils. The presence of Ephemeroptera suggests the existence of landmasses with adjacent freshwater basins during this period, facilitating the exceptional preservation of organisms in fine-grained sediments. This study significantly expands our understanding of Triassic biodiversity and paleoenvironments.

New Insights into the Tiwanaku Style of Snuff Trays from San Pedro de Atacama, Northern Chile

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2015 — WHE3107C2D075

A new definition for the Tiwanaku style of snuff trays, based on three distinct morphological features—trapezoidal shape, incurving sides, and sharp top corners—reveals that such trays form a cohesive group distinct from local San Pedro-style trays. This finding, supported by principal component analysis, suggests that shape is a critical trait for style classification, irrespective of iconography. The study also indicates that during the Middle period in San Pedro de Atacama, four main types of snuff trays coexisted: Tiwanaku-style with and without iconography, and local San Pedro-style with and without iconography. This co-occurrence raises intriguing questions about the social implications of style diversity.