World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 25301 – 25320 of 30315 publications

Puzzolanic materials for restoration of earthen architecture

Archaeological Zone of Paquimé, Casas Grandes — 2014 — WHEC4D98ED122

Research reveals that ancient civilizations, including those at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Paquimé (Casas Grandes), employed lime as a stabilizing agent in earthen architecture to enhance mechanical strength and resistance against weathering. Traces of lime, combined with earth, were found in walls and mud coatings at Paquimé, demonstrating its historical application for durability. This finding underscores the potential of puzzolanic materials—lime-based compounds that react chemically with earth—to improve the longevity of traditional construction techniques. The study highlights a less-studied but critical aspect of ancient engineering, offering insights that could inform modern restoration practices for earthen structures worldwide.

Pygmy chameleons of the Rhampholeon platyceps compex (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae): Description of four new species from isolated ‘sky islands’ of northern Mozambique

Island of Mozambique — 2014 — WHEBB827E3188

A groundbreaking study identifies four new species of pygmy chameleons (Rhampholeon) from isolated 'sky islands' in northern Mozambique, significantly expanding the known biodiversity of the region. These discoveries—Rhampholeon maspictus, Rhampholeon nebulauctor, Rhampholeon tilburyi, and Rhampholeon bruessoworum—are supported by morphological and phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. The research clarifies taxonomic confusion around the Rhampholeon platyceps complex, confirming its endemism to the Mulanje massif in southern Malawi while reassigning historical records. Additionally, it resolves the synonymy of Brookesia platyceps carri with Rhampholeon platyceps. The study also sheds light on the evolutionary relationships between Mozambican and southern Malawi chameleons, linking them to species from Tanzania and Malawi within the subgenus Rhinodigitum.

Q fever outbreak in the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, Switzerland

Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces — 2014 — WHE107A3C973E

A Q fever outbreak linked to sheep in the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, Switzerland, was identified through epidemiological investigations and veterinary testing. The study found that 43% of sheep carried Coxiella burnetii, while 30% exhibited anti-Coxiella antibodies, highlighting a significant zoonotic risk. Mitigation measures, including flock vaccination and public health alerts, successfully limited the outbreak to 14 human cases, preventing a larger epidemic. The research underscores the importance of surveillance in low-endemicity regions, leading to the reintroduction of mandatory Q fever reporting in Switzerland.

Qhapaq Ñan, Patrimonio Vivo

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System — 2014 — WHE816381737A

The Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean Road System, remains a living heritage, demonstrating both its historical significance and contemporary relevance. This study reveals that the Inca road system, spanning from Huánuco Pampa to Huamachuco in the Chinchaysuyu route, exhibits complex architectural infrastructure, functional variability, and symbolic significance tied to diverse landscapes. Fieldwork and archival research conducted between 2009 and 2011 as part of the Proyecto Qhapaq Ñan uncovered these intricacies, while anthropological studies highlight the enduring socio-economic and cultural importance of these pathways among modern Andean communities. The findings underscore the need for thoughtful heritage management to preserve this vibrant legacy.

Qu’y avait-il de « moderne » dans les ports militaires de Suède aux XVII e et XVIII e siècles ? L’exemple de Karlskrona

Naval Port of Karlskrona — 2014 — WHEE04A47820D

The naval port of Karlskrona, Sweden, exemplifies the 'modern' transformation of 17th and 18th-century European military cities. This study reveals that Karlskrona acted as a unique 'hub,' where traditional urban structures clashed with innovative demands driven by Sweden's Baltic Sea ambitions. The research argues that this dynamic environment fostered new solutions in production, disease management, and state-burgher negotiations. By analyzing the relocation of inhabitants, construction of a naval base, and integration of Baltic trade networks, the study demonstrates how Karlskrona became a platform for groundbreaking urban development. This approach contrasts with conventional views of Early Modern cities, highlighting its role as a catalyst for change during Sweden's rise as a maritime power.

Quando a geo-história avança sobre os significados de um espaço urbano: as paisagens culturais e as transformações identitárias da fronteira Brasil-Argentina

Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil) — 2014 — WHE04FB5068B2

A critical interpretation of the urban spatio-temporal scenery emerges from analyzing cultural landscapes within the Jesuit-Guarani Missions, revealing how these landscapes serve as a tool to understand identity construction and territorial transformations. The study focuses on San Borja, Brazil, highlighting its significance in representing key historical moments that express meanings across diverse cultural goods. By employing cultural landscapes and itineraries as research instruments, the research contributes to UNESCO's evolving categories of cultural property, offering insights into the production, intervention, and exchanges that shape urban territories.

Quantification de la biomasse aérienne des palétuviers du genre Rhizophora au Delta du Saloum (Sénégal)

Saloum Delta — 2014 — WHE908C66310B

Mangrove forests in the Saloum Delta, Senegal, exhibit significant variations in aboveground biomass depending on height strata. Research reveals that Rhizophora mangle demonstrates the highest dry biomass for trunks and other parts, while Rhizophora racemosa/harisonnii shows peak root biomass. Notably, in taller strata, root biomass surpasses trunk biomass, suggesting an adaptive morphological response to submersion and mobile sediments. The study quantified these patterns across 15 permanent plots, correlating biomass with environmental factors such as water submersion depth and soil type. Findings indicate that increased root biomass is more strongly linked to submersion levels than soil characteristics, highlighting the mangroves' resilience in dynamic coastal environments.

Quaternary reef response to sea‐level and environmental change in the western Atlantic

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System — 2014 — WHE326DB92350

A major barrier reef system, including the Belize Barrier Reef, was established during high sea-levels of marine isotope stage 11, indicating that tropical reefs thrive under warm and stable conditions. The study reveals that reef development in the western Atlantic is closely tied to sea-level fluctuations, with erosion and non-deposition dominating during lowstands, while fringing reefs developed during highstands. Evidence from elevated terraces suggests higher-than-present sea-levels and temperatures sustained large carbonate platforms during the last interglacial period (MIS 5e). The research also highlights that postglacial sea-level rise was rapid, punctuated by meltwater pulses, and influenced reef development in the early Holocene. While many reefs kept pace with rising sea levels, others were drowned due to factors such as elevated antecedent topography, environmental deterioration, or high nutrient input. The historical decline of acroporid corals, linked to cooling post-Holocene thermal optimum, underscores that recent declines may be unprecedented in the Holocene.

Queen Anne, Court Culture and the Construction of Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace — 2014 — WHEBE223F240F

Blenheim Palace, gifted by Queen Anne to the Duke of Marlborough, stands as a monumental symbol of her reign and military victories. However, Queen Anne's role in its creation has been understudied. This research reveals that Marlborough's evolving relationship with Queen Anne and her court significantly influenced the palace's architectural development and symbolic purposes. By re-examining major historical sources, the study sheds new light on the complex dynamics between power, patronage, and architectural expression during the early 18th century.

Quel rôle joue le substrat mésolithique dans le processus de néolithisation des grands causses ? Étude de l'industrie lithique de Combe-Grèze (commune de la Cresse, Aveyron)

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2014 — WHED3915C6FE8

A reanalysis of the lithic industry from Combe-Grèze, a key site in the Grands Causses region, reveals nuanced techno-typological distinctions that challenge simplistic models of cultural transmission during the transition from Mesolithic to Neolithic. The study suggests that while local Mesolithic traditions may have influenced early Neolithic economies, they did not operate in isolation but rather engaged with broader Mediterranean cardial sphere dynamics. By reconstructing operational chains and comparing them to regional contexts, researchers propose a more complex interplay of autochthonous innovation, cultural borrowing, and peripheral adaptations than previously assumed.

Rabat retrospective: Colonial heritage in a Moroccan urban laboratory

Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage — 2014 — WHE84C032990C

This study reveals that Louis H-G Lyautey's colonial urban planning in Rabat, Morocco, continues to shape the city's development even today. His vision, which blended European modernity with Moroccan heritage, created a dual legacy: while it facilitated tourist consumption of historic monuments and their integration into national history post-independence, it also introduced structural challenges for indigenous housing. The research highlights how contemporary projects like the Bouregreg Valley initiative perpetuate Lyautey's influence, demonstrating his lasting impact on Rabat's urban landscape and heritage mapping. The study employs a critical analysis of spatial logics and neoliberal capital flows to trace this enduring legacy.

Radiocarbon Dates from the O xford AMS S ystem: A rchaeometry Datelist 35

Ban Chiang Archaeological Site — 2014 — WHE3FA499A355

A groundbreaking compilation of radiocarbon dates from the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, among other significant sites, reveals critical insights into the timeline and cultural development of prehistoric civilizations. This 35th list from the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU) includes the latest AMS radiocarbon determinations, providing precise dating for key archaeological findings spanning the Palaeolithic to later periods. The study employs advanced accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) techniques to analyze samples, offering high-precision chronological data that sheds light on human settlement patterns and cultural transitions. Submitters provide context for these dates, enhancing their significance in understanding the evolution of early societies.

Rainfall and Runoff Observations in the Subtropical Forest of Okinawa Island, Japan

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2014 — WHE8877F16220

In subtropical forests of Okinawa Island, Japan, runoff responses to rainfall events were found to vary significantly based on precipitation intensity. The study revealed that when event total rainfall (Pevent) was 100 mm or less, direct runoff accounted for less than 15% of the total rainfall, while for Pevent exceeding 100 mm, runoff ratios increased to 20–30%. These findings align with previous observations in similar forested catchments. Researchers used two experimental catchments equipped with pressure-type water level gauges and discharge rating curves to measure runoff and calculate water balance components, including rainfall (3403.6 mm), runoff (2285.7 mm), and evapotranspiration losses (1117.4 mm) for the year 2010.

Rainforest Tourism, Conservation and Management

Central Amazon Conservation Complex — 2014 — WHEA0D24B01B5

Rainforests worldwide face significant threats from agriculture, timber harvesting, and urban expansion, yet they remain critical for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and providing essential ecosystem services. This publication highlights that while rainforest tourism can generate substantial income for local communities, its sustainability must be prioritized to ensure long-term ecological integrity. It offers a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating rainforest science, management, and tourism, to address challenges such as governance, community empowerment, and wildlife conservation. The book examines case studies from major rainforest regions, including the Amazon, Central America, Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia, providing insights into sustainable ecotourism development and its potential to balance economic benefits with ecological preservation.

Ratusz i jego rola w kształtowaniu archiwum i kancelarii miasta Lwowa w późnym średniowieczu

L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre — 2014 — WHE9B6543A649

A lost municipal archive from the second half of the 14th century, likely housed in Lviv's town hall, was destroyed in a fire in 1381. This discovery sheds light on the early administrative and documentary practices of late medieval Lviv, revealing that the town hall served as both the center for chancellery activities and the repository for important documents until the end of the 15th century. The study reconstructs the evolution of the municipal archive's location and the town hall's role in shaping its administrative functions based on historical chronicles and town books.

Re-establishment of Achaemenid History and its Development in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

Pasargadae — 2014 — WHEA8C6B033C2

Achaemenid history, long forgotten by Iranians but rediscovered through European travelers' accounts and classical texts from the 15th century onward, was re-established in the 19th century. This rediscovery was further amplified during Reza Khan's reign, which emphasized nationalism and ancient Iranian heritage. The study reviews how Achaemenid history developed as a field of study during the 19th and 20th centuries, tracing its intellectual roots and cultural significance.

Re-viewing D-Day: The cinematography of the Normandy landings from the Signal Corps to Saving Private Ryan

Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944 — 2014 — WHE5158F1241C

This study reveals how cinematography has evolved in depicting the Normandy landings, contrasting the grand narrative style of 'The Longest Day' (1962) with the more intimate and hyper-mediated approach seen in 'Saving Private Ryan' (1998). The research identifies and analyzes filmic frames from both films, alongside original Signal Corps footage from Omaha Beach on D-Day. It demonstrates that while both films aim to capture the tumultuous and terrifying nature of the event, they achieve this through significantly different visual techniques and perspectives, reflecting broader changes in media culture and technology.

Real‐time measurements of the concentration and isotope composition of atmospheric and volcanic CO 2 at Mount Etna (Italy)

Mount Etna — 2014 — WHE2B1E2081C1

Real-time measurements of CO₂ concentration and isotope composition at Mount Etna reveal distinct isotopic signatures in volcanic emissions, with fumarole gases showing δ¹³C values ranging from -3.24‰ to -3.71‰—comparable to traditional mass spectrometry results. Plume gases sampled over 1 km from craters exhibit δ¹³C ≈ -2.2‰, consistent with crater fumarole analyses. Anthropogenic CO₂ inputs in urban areas along the study route further influenced isotopic values. The study leverages laser-based spectroscopy for high-frequency (360 measurements/hour) monitoring, demonstrating its potential for advancing volcanic and environmental surveillance. These findings highlight the technique's utility in real-time gas analysis, offering new perspectives for volcanic monitoring.

Rebus’s Edinburgh Palimpsest: The Spirits of the Place

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh — 2014 — WHE80450AC052

This analysis reveals Edinburgh's layered identity through the lens of Ian Rankin's detective fiction, particularly in Knots and Crosses (1987). It highlights how the city's Old Town, with its Enlightenment ghosts—articulate and deferential specters—contrasts with modern threats like serial killers, symbolizing a tension between historical continuity and contemporary disruption. The study employs close reading of literary texts to unpack Edinburgh's palimpsest-like qualities, where past and present coexist, often in uneasy harmony. By focusing on Rebus's nocturnal observations, the research deciphers how place shapes narrative, offering insights into urban memory and cultural heritage. This approach bridges detective fiction with historical geography, enriching our understanding of Edinburgh as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Recent divergences and size decreases of eastern gorilla populations

Virunga National Park — 2014 — WHEC47C418B05

Eastern gorillas, particularly mountain gorillas within Virunga National Park, have experienced significant population declines, with some populations decreasing by up to 10-fold. Genetic analysis of non-invasively collected faecal samples revealed that eastern lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas diverged around 10,000 years ago, followed by the split of the two mountain gorilla populations—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virungas Massif—approximately 5,000 years later. These population dynamics are likely linked to historical climate fluctuations and recent human influence in this densely populated region. The study sheds light on the evolutionary history and conservation challenges faced by eastern gorillas.