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Roman diet and nutrition in the Vesuvian region: a study of the bioarchaeological remains from the Cardo V sewer at Herculaneum

Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata — 2014 — WHE5DC37B16B3

A comprehensive bioarchaeological study of the Cardo V sewer at Herculaneum challenges long-standing assumptions about Roman diets, revealing that middle and lower-class inhabitants consumed a diverse, nutrient-dense diet. Analysis of 220 liters of soil uncovered 194 taxa, including cereals, fruits, seafood, and other edible foodstuffs, indicating close ties to local resources and contradicting the notion of widespread malnutrition in urban centers. The findings align with ancient textual descriptions but extend their applicability beyond the elite, suggesting that diet quality was not solely a function of wealth. This large-scale study integrates archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, and modern food science to provide unprecedented insights into Roman nutrition, health, and economic practices.

Roman Palmyra: Identity, Community, and State Formation

Site of Palmyra — 2014 — WHE44E6587BFA

Palmyra, an oasis city-state on the desert frontier between Rome and Parthia, developed a unique identity shaped by mutual cooperation between sedentary urban populations, village communities, and pastoralists. Unlike traditional dichotomies of settled versus nomadic lifestyles, Smith's analysis reveals a mixed economy supported by social and cultural kinship based on tribal values, as evidenced by genealogical inscriptions and Safaitic texts. The city's state formation process, marked by the establishment of civic institutions like the Temple of Bel and the 'four tribes,' reflected both Greco-Roman influences and distinct Palmyrene developments. This study provides a nuanced understanding of how Palmyra's frontier setting influenced its community dynamics and political evolution during the first three centuries CE.

Roskilde – En bygrundlæggelse i vanskeligt terræn

Roskilde Cathedral — 2014 — WHE9E7D1A9621

Roskilde Cathedral's location, founded around AD 1000, was strategically chosen to reinforce the monarchy and Church as dominant ideological forces during the transition from Viking Age society. Unlike other towns that emerged from trade or urban development, Roskilde's establishment in challenging terrain—characterized by wetland, bogs, and a high water table—was driven by its sacred significance, particularly tied to the area's numerous springs. These springs, with their mythological and Christian symbolism, likely served as focal points for pre-Christian rituals and continued to hold religious importance in the new Christian kingdom. Archaeological evidence suggests that the site's selection was not due to practical considerations but rather its symbolic and spiritual value, positioning the cathedral on a slope where powerful springs emerged, creating a visually striking landscape. This intentional placement mirrors patterns seen at other contemporary towns like Lund and Viborg, indicating a broader plan to bridge pagan traditions with emerging Christian practices.

Route choices of transport bicyclists: a comparison of actually used and shortest routes

City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg — 2014 — WHEAAB123FD1F

Bicyclists in Graz, Austria, consistently choose longer but safer routes over the shortest possible paths, favoring bicycle lanes, pathways, flat and green areas while avoiding main roads and crossings. This preference for well-developed cycling infrastructure highlights its critical role in promoting bicycling as a mode of transportation in urban settings. The study employed GPS and GIS to objectively compare actual cyclist routes with the shortest possible alternatives, revealing significant differences in distance and environmental characteristics.

Running the Gauntlet: Regional Movement Patterns of Manta alfredi through a Complex of Parks and Fisheries

Komodo National Park — 2014 — WHE6F6DFD7BC5

Manta rays (Manta alfredi) exhibit long-range migratory patterns, traveling up to 450 km between regional sanctuaries such as Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands, and Komodo National Park in Indonesia. This movement, revealed through photographic identification using the 'Manta Matcher' database, highlights connectivity between populations but also exposes them to significant threats from fishing and ship strikes in heavily trafficked areas between these protected zones. The findings underscore the need for a coordinated national conservation strategy to safeguard manta ray populations, which are currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Rural Tourism at its Peak: Socio-Cultural Impacts towards Host Communities of Kinabalu Park, Sabah (Malaysian-Borneo)

Kinabalu Park — 2014 — WHE305327C281

Kinabalu Park, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Malaysia, has significantly influenced its host communities through tourism. The study reveals that while tourism brings economic benefits and cultural exchange, it also poses socio-cultural challenges for nearby villages. Researchers found varying perceptions among locals, with some embracing tourism's positive impacts—such as improved livelihoods and cultural exposure—while others expressed concerns about environmental degradation and loss of traditional values. The research employed qualitative methods to gather insights from host communities, aiming to balance conservation efforts with sustainable tourism principles. Recommendations for continuous improvement in tourism management are proposed to ensure long-term benefits while mitigating negative effects on local cultures and ecosystems.

Rural Women's Involvement in Entrepreneurship in Sukur World Heritage Site, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Sukur Cultural Landscape — 2014 — WHE0F713E8C89

Rural women in the Sukur Cultural Landscape, Nigeria's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, are increasingly engaging in entrepreneurship due to its new status, which attracts both local and international visitors. This shift has allowed women to move beyond traditional roles, selling local cuisines, souvenirs, and crafts—potentially generating foreign exchange. The study found that both women's positive disposition toward entrepreneurship and their husbands' supportive attitudes were significantly influenced by Sukur's heritage recognition. Using a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions with 100 rural women and 100 husbands from ten clans in Madagali Local Government Council, the research revealed strong correlations between women's involvement in entrepreneurial activities and socio-economic factors. Proper motivation and training could further enhance their economic contributions while addressing unemployment challenges.

Sacred Geometries: The Dynamics of ‘Islamic’ Ornament in Jewish and Coptic Old Cairo

Historic Cairo — 2014 — WHECC54BE12B6

Geometric designs in Old Cairo's Jewish and Coptic sites, such as the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Coptic Church of Santa Barbara, serve multifaceted roles beyond mere decoration. These sacred geometries function as spiritual, communal, and experiential mediators, shaping identity across Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities. The study reveals that these ornate architectural elements have historically bridged cross-cultural relations in Cairo, continuing to influence contemporary social dynamics. By analyzing the iconographic significance of these designs within their spatial contexts, the research offers a fresh perspective on how sacred geometries reflect and mediate interfaith interactions, challenging conventional narratives about 'Islamic' ornamentation.

Sacred Imagery and Ritual Landscape: New Discoveries at the Biluut Petroglyph Complex in the Mongolian Altai

Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites — 2014 — WHEEFEC2D339D

Recent research at the Biluut Petroglyph Complex in Mongolia's High Altai reveals that integrating rock art studies with archaeology, geology, and paleoecology significantly enhances our understanding of prehistoric cultural developments in Inner Asia. The study highlights how the chronological distribution and spatial organization of petroglyphs, spanning 8–10,000 years, provide critical insights into ancient lifeways, including horse domestication, mobile pastoralism, charioteer movements, deer stone monument creation, and metallurgy. By analyzing ritual landscapes alongside pictorial details, the research demonstrates a multidisciplinary approach that can serve as a global model for studying complex societies. The Biluut Complex, with its dense concentration of petroglyphs, emerges as a key ceremonial center offering unprecedented clues about cultural transmission in this formative mountain region.

Sacrificios de Niños, Adolescentesy Camélidos Jóvenes Durante el Intermedio Tardío en la Periferia de Chan Chan, Valle de Moche, Costa Norte del Perú

Chan Chan Archaeological Zone — 2014 — WHE8997E1BAE5

Mass child and young camelid sacrifices during the Late Intermediate Period at Huanchaquito-Las Llamas, on the northern periphery of Chan Chan, reveal significant social, political, and ideological dimensions. Preliminary analyses suggest distinct patterns in these rituals, which may have mirrored broader societal structures within the Chimú civilization. The study integrates physical anthropology and zooarchaeological data to hypothesize that such sacrifices were not merely ceremonial but served as strategic acts to reinforce power dynamics during a pivotal phase of Chan Chan's development, the largest pre-Inca urban center on Peru's northern coast.

Saint François au Mont-Saint-Michel. Enquête sur la transmission mémorielle d’une image disparue

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2014 — WHE4DFC90215C

A medieval relief of Saint Francis at Mont-Saint-Michel, long assumed to depict the saint's authentic 13th-century habit, is now shown to have been entangled in later religious controversies. Analysis of 17th- and 18th-century documentation reveals that its identification was influenced by debates between Franciscan factions over the saint's true attire. This challenges the established dating of the relief to 1228 and casts doubt on the chronology of the entire Merveille cloister construction. The study recontextualizes textual and visual sources, demonstrating how scholarly memory in monastic circles was shaped by contemporary theological disputes.

Salinity and its variability in the Lagoon of Venice, 2000–2009

Venice and its Lagoon — 2014 — WHE41F0E24207

The Lagoon of Venice exhibits a stable, steady-state salinity distribution characterized by three distinct zones: a northern freshwater-influenced area with high tidal variability (salinity <28 PSU), a southern marine zone with low tidal variability (salinity >32 PSU), and an intermediate transition zone. This stability, supported by data from 13 stations spanning 2000–2009, indicates that salinity changes are primarily driven by rainfall events and tidal motion rather than intrinsic water composition shifts. The study confirms the lagoon's long-term (to 1961) equilibrium, fostering at least three separate ecosystems. Researchers analyzed monthly and bimonthly salinity data alongside semi-continuous 2009 measurements to validate these findings.

Salinity, groundwater, and water uptake depth of plants in coastal uplands of Everglades National Park (Florida, USA)

Everglades National Park — 2014 — WHE4DE96CBE73

Coastal upland plant communities in Everglades National Park exhibit distinct salinity and water uptake patterns, with hardwood hammocks featuring brackish groundwater (14–27 PPT), buttonwood hammocks showing brackish to saline conditions (23–35 PPT), and buttonwood prairies experiencing more saline groundwater (30–44 PPT). Most species predominantly access deep soil water (5–30 cm) during the dry season, switching to shallow soil water (0–5 cm) in the wet season. However, the endemic herbaceous species Chromolaena frustrata reverses this pattern, relying on shallow water in the dry season and deeper sources in the wet season. These findings highlight the varying susceptibility of these plant communities to sea level rise (SLR)-driven changes in water table and salinity, offering critical insights for adaptation planning.

Samaritan Self-Consciousness in the First Half of the Second Century b.c.e. in Light of the Inscriptions from Mount Gerizim and Delos

Delos — 2014 — WHE757A899DDA

A significant discovery sheds light on early Samaritan identity, revealing the earliest known use of 'Israelites' to describe Samaritans. Two inscriptions from Delos, combined with 395 Hebrew and Aramaic texts from Mount Gerizim, show a distinct Samaritan self-consciousness that diverged from Jewish positions by the first half of the second century BCE. The inscriptions, thanking benefactors for supporting 'Israelites who send their temple tax to Argarizein,' highlight a community deeply tied to Mount Gerizim as its place of worship. Unlike other inscriptions, the phrase 'in this place' underscores a unique regional attachment, with parallels found in Egypt, Sinai, Mesopotamia, and Turkey reinforcing broader cultural connections.

Samarkand and its cultural heritage: perceptions and persistence of the Russian colonial construction of monuments

Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures — 2014 — WHE41E3B94102

Russian colonial administration, researchers, and artists shaped Samarkand's cultural heritage by selectively designating monuments as 'historical' in the early 20th century. This study reveals how a top-down patrimonialization process, driven by Russian imperial ideology, clashed with local perceptions and European practices. By analyzing travelogues, administrative reports, memoirs, press, and artistic works, the research exposes the mechanisms behind the construction of Samarkand's heritage as a tool for colonial control. The findings highlight the persistence of these colonial narratives in modern understandings of cultural heritage.

Sandstone Geomorphology of South-West Jordan, Middle East

Wadi Rum Protected Area — 2014 — WHE51BAEBD095

The sandstone geomorphology of the Wadi Rum Protected Area in south-west Jordan reveals striking parallels to iconic landscapes such as those found on the Colorado Plateau and central Sahara, characterized by inselbergs and mesas rising dramatically from a sand-covered desert floor. This study highlights how lithological variations within Cambrian-Ordovician sandstone sequences dictate slope shapes and evolutionary patterns through differential weathering and slope failures. Notably, ferruginous layers in the Umm ‘Ishrin Sandstone play a pivotal role in creating morphological distinctions between this unit and the similar Disi sandstone. The research employs field observations of rock falls, slides, tafoni, honeycombs, and arches to elucidate these processes, offering insights into the dynamic interplay between geological composition and erosion in arid environments.

Scale-Location Dependence of the Relationship between NDVI and Environmental Factors in Wuyi Mountain

Mount Wuyi — 2014 — WHE46282CCD29

Elevation is the dominant factor controlling vegetation cover in Wuyi Mountain, with its influence varying significantly depending on scale and location. The study reveals that NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) shows weak correlations with environmental factors at small scales (<480m), but stronger relationships emerge at medium (480-7680m) and large scales (>7680m). Notably, NDVI's correlation with elevation shifts from positive below 600m to negative above 600m on the leeward side of the southeast monsoon. Additionally, while NDVI is directly related to roads, residents, slope, and rivers below 1200m, these relationships invert at higher elevations. The research utilized wavelet coherency analysis on data from DEM, residents, roads, rivers, and ALOS remote sensing imagery (2009) across two transects to uncover these scale- and location-dependent patterns.

Scales of impact: Settlement history and landscape change in the Gordion Region, central Anatolia

Gordion — 2014 — WHE5F1836123D

Research at Gordion, Turkey, reveals that early agriculture during the Chalcolithic period caused rapid environmental degradation, with erosion rates peaking within a millennium of settlement. Surprisingly, the highest degradation occurred during the Early Bronze Age despite lower settlement density, suggesting complex interactions between land use and sociopolitical changes. By the Iron Age, erosion rates declined to one-third their earlier peak, even as settlement intensity increased, indicating that soil vulnerability decreased over time. The study combines archaeological survey data with sediment core analysis to link settlement patterns to landscape disruption, offering insights into how human activities reshape ecosystems.

Schoolchildren's Knowledge and Perceptions of Jaguars, Pumas, and Smaller Cats Around a Mosaic of Protected Areas in the Western Brazilian Pantanal

Pantanal Conservation Area — 2014 — WHED9EF0C9D4A

A study on schoolchildren's knowledge and perceptions of felines, including jaguars, pumas, and smaller cats, in the Pantanal Conservation Area revealed that larger species are better recognized than smaller ones. However, negative perceptions were also identified, highlighting a need for targeted environmental education efforts to foster positive attitudes toward these key conservation species. The research used surveys as a tool to assess environmental knowledge, underscoring the importance of such activities in regions where felines are priority conservation targets due to threats like habitat loss and poaching.

Scientific studies on decorated mud mortar of Ajanta

Ajanta Caves — 2014 — WHE808F4DCEC1

A groundbreaking analysis of the decorated mud mortar from Ajanta Caves reveals that high-silt soil, purposefully mixed with lime (calcite), was used to enhance its cementing properties. The study detected calcium oxalate, likely a byproduct of proteic materials, along with ferrugineous silicates, rare minerals like gluconite–celadonite and white zeolites, as well as quartz and sepiolite. These findings suggest that the mortar's composition was tailored using vegetal matter to optimize construction behavior. The research also confirms a strong similarity between the Ajanta mud plaster and alluvial deposits from the Waghura River, indicating potential for restoration efforts by leveraging local materials for better performance and compatibility.