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Showing 25521 – 25540 of 30315 publications

The Byzantine-Islamic Transition in Palestine

Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev — 2014 — WHE879377B41E

Archaeological evidence from hundreds of sites in Palestine and Jordan reveals that the Byzantine-Islamic transition (6th–11th centuries) was a gradual, complex process rather than a rapid shift triggered by Arab conquest. Settlement patterns and material culture remained stable despite Islamic rule, with Christianity persisting as late as the 11th century. The study highlights regional variability—ranging from urban centers to nomadic fringe settlements—and challenges traditional narratives of swift religious transformation.

The Case of Fabian Philip, Karlskrona’s First Jewish Entrepreneur: A Swedish example of the Port Jews Phenomenon?

Naval Port of Karlskrona — 2014 — WHEAE773DEF08

Karlskrona, Sweden's naval port, challenges historical perceptions by demonstrating successful Jewish integration contrary to past assumptions. This study reinterprets archival sources, including newly discovered ones, to argue that Karlskrona—alongside Gothenburg—served as a Swedish example of the 'Port Jews' phenomenon, where internationally oriented naval cities fostered Jewish entrepreneurship despite restrictive settlement laws. By adopting this concept, the research reveals that Karlskrona was not an unfriendly environment for Jews in early modern Sweden, as previously thought, but rather a hub for economic activity and cultural exchange within the Swedish Royal Navy's global network.

The Centrality of Aleppo and its Environs

Ancient City of Aleppo — 2014 — WHEB89F75C0D4

Aleppo's enduring significance as a central place in the ancient Middle East, unlike other major cities of its time, is attributed to its strategic topographic location and multifunctional roles in trade, exchange, craft production, and cult activity. This study employs spatial statistics and extends the theoretical concept of 'central place' to reconstruct Aleppo's historical importance. By analyzing its relationship with surrounding settlements, researchers demonstrate that Aleppo maintained its dominance through a combination of local, regional, and supra-regional functions, ensuring its long-lasting relevance in economic and cultural networks.

The Chacoan Court Kiva

Chaco Culture — 2014 — WHED83C517765

Research reveals that courtyard kivas, large ceremonial rooms within the great houses of the Chaco culture, played a pivotal role in both architectural and social integration. Unlike previous studies that focused on artifacts or superficial room distinctions, this work provides a detailed definition of courtyard kivas and explores their significance in Chacoan communities. By analyzing numerous kivas, the study highlights their unique characteristics and functional importance, offering new insights into the ceremonial and social structures of this ancient culture.

The changing anthropogenic diets of American black bears over the past century in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park — 2014 — WHED5012F704F

American black bears in Yosemite National Park now consume human foods at the same rate as they did over a century ago, despite a four-million-fold increase in annual park visitors. This significant reduction in anthropogenic diet reliance was achieved through targeted management strategies, including closing artificial feeding areas and implementing a $500,000 annual conflict mitigation program starting in 1999. Researchers analyzed carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) stable isotopes in bear tissues to track dietary shifts over time. The findings highlight the success of park management in curbing human-bear conflicts while maintaining ecological balance, offering a model for other protected areas.

The Changing Pace of Insular Life: 5000 Years of Microevolution in the Orkney Vole(Microtus Arvalis Orcadensis)

Heart of Neolithic Orkney — 2014 — WHE32EEFFF461

Research on the Orkney vole (Microtus arvalis orcadensis) reveals that human activity can significantly accelerate and complicate evolutionary patterns in island species. Introduced to the Orkney archipelago around 5000 years ago, these voles exhibited rapid morphological changes, such as molar gigantism, shortly after colonization, likely due to founder events and adaptation. A second major phenotypic shift occurred between the 4th and 12th centuries AD, coinciding with increased pastoral farming, competition from introduced species (mice and rats), and predation by foxes and cats. This challenges the traditional model of island evolution, which predicts initial rapid divergence followed by stasis, instead demonstrating a more complex trajectory driven by human influence.

The characteristics of atmospheric ice nuclei measured at the top of Huangshan (the Yellow Mountains) in Southeast China using a newly built static vacuum water vapor diffusion chamber

Mount Huangshan — 2014 — WHEB1712C635F

Atmospheric ice nuclei (IN) concentrations at the top of Huangshan (Yellow Mountains), China, exhibit strong correlations with coarse aerosol particles (0.5–20 μm in diameter) and show significant diurnal variation, peaking at 14:00 LST. Researchers measured IN concentrations between −15 °C and −23 °C using a newly built static vacuum water vapor diffusion chamber, finding average concentrations ranging from 0.27 to 7.02 L⁻¹. The study revealed that coarse particles (R² > 0.60) are far more influential than smaller particles (R² = 0.10), with IN levels aligning closely with aerosol particle fluctuations. A parametric equation was developed to model IN variations based on temperature and supersaturation, offering new insights into atmospheric ice nucleation processes in mountainous regions.

The Chronology and Attribution of Royal Pyramids at Meroe and Gebel Barkal: BEG N 8, BEG N 12, BAR 5 and BAR 2

Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region — 2014 — WHE70CB280905

A new approach to dating Meroitic royal pyramids, avoiding circular reasoning, reveals that BEG N 12 belongs to King Taneyidamani and challenges the attribution of BAR 2 to King Teriteqas. By analyzing chapel relief decorations for continuity and change, researchers propose a revised sequence for pyramids BEG N 8, N 9, and N 10. This method leverages visual analysis of Reisner's excavation data, offering plausible solutions to longstanding chronological uncertainties in Meroe's royal pyramid chronology.

The chronology of Aksum (Tigrai, Ethiopia): a view from Bieta Giyorgis

Aksum — 2014 — WHE57D3739ECF

Archaeological research at Bieta Giyorgis, northwest of Aksum (Ethiopia), has established a detailed five-phase chronological sequence for the development of the ancient capital from 360 BC to AD 800/850. The study identified distinct phases—Proto-Aksumite, Early Aksumite, Classic Aksumite, Middle Aksumite, and Late Aksumite—based on radiocarbon dating and stratified archaeological contexts. This refined chronology challenges previous models by providing precise dating for key transitions in Aksum's history, offering new insights into its political, economic, and cultural evolution during the Axumite Kingdom's peak and decline.

The Conquest of Egypt by Piānkhi—

Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region — 2014 — WHE07BEF178FD

A monumental granite stele, discovered near Gebel Barkal in the Napatan Region of Sudan, provides a rare and detailed hieroglyphic account of King Piānkhi's conquest of Egypt. The stele, weighing approximately 2.25 tons, was found accidentally in 1862 by an Egyptian officer during a mission near Kassingar, close to the Fourth Cataract of the Nile. This artifact, along with four others, offers invaluable insights into the political and military campaigns of the 25th Dynasty of Egypt. The stele's inscriptions describe Piānkhi's invasion, highlighting its significance in understanding ancient Nubian-Egyptian relations. Archaeological excavations, including those conducted by the Anglo-Egyptian Frontier Field Force in 1897, have further revealed the ruins of temples and pyramids near Gebel Barkal, suggesting a long history of royal activity in the region. These findings underscore the strategic importance of the Napatan Region during this period.

The Conservation of Subterranean Cultural Heritage: Is it a technical problem or a political problem?

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2014 — WHE6E0AC86429

Conservation efforts for the rock-cut tomb-chapels of Djehuty and Hery (TT 11-12) in Ancient Thebes reveal that their preservation is as much a political challenge as it is a technical one. Located on Luxor's West Bank, these 15th-century B.C. monuments have suffered from environmental degradation, vandalism, and structural alterations due to reuse over millennia. A Spanish archaeological mission has been addressing these issues through annual campaigns since 2002, focusing on excavation, documentation, and restoration. The study highlights the interplay between technical interventions—such as mitigating humidity damage and stabilizing limestone—and political factors, including historical looting and modern conservation governance. The goal is to restore the tomb-chapels for public access, underscoring the need for sustainable, multi-disciplinary approaches to safeguarding subterranean cultural heritage.

The construction joint analysis of the villa Tugendhat interior furnishing

Tugendhat Villa in Brno — 2014 — WHEB98A6706A2

A detailed analysis of the structural joints in the interior furniture of the UNESCO-listed Tugendhat Villa, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, reveals innovative construction and material solutions that are critical for its preservation. The study, conducted by the Department of Furniture, Design, and Habitation, provides comprehensive production-technical documentation for 53 pieces of furniture, including surface treatment details and manufacturing specifics. This work aims to support the villa's renewal, addressing its deteriorating technical condition while adhering to original design principles. Despite the completed project documentation, legal disputes have delayed the reconstruction process.

The Continuing Significance of Rural Landscapes in the Urban Century

Konso Cultural Landscape — 2014 — WHE7FB2E45DD4

Rural landscapes, particularly those shaped by historical agricultural practices, remain crucial to food security and sustainable development despite rapid urbanization. A study highlights the enduring significance of such landscapes, exemplified by Konso terraces in Ethiopia, Marakwet irrigation in Kenya, and Engaruka terraces in Tanzania. These landscapes, formed through intensive agriculture, reflect complex interactions between environmental factors, social structures, and political dynamics over centuries. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context—such as wars, epidemics, and migrations—to grasp contemporary landscape transformations. It also underscores the role of interregional connections and landesque capital (long-term investments in land) in maintaining agricultural productivity. While the study builds on earlier work from 2004, it notes that rural landscapes are undergoing profound changes due to infrastructure development like new tarmac roads, posing both challenges and opportunities for sustainable development.

The Culture Bank: micro-credit, living objects and community development in West Africa

Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) — 2014 — WHE074741E281

A novel community-driven approach, combining micro-credit initiatives with the preservation of living objects and local crafts, successfully generated revenue for Fombori, a Dogon village in Mali's Bandiagara Escarpment. This model, implemented through a small museum initiative, leveraged tourism to support economic development while safeguarding cultural heritage. The study highlights the potential of grassroots projects to foster sustainable growth in remote West African communities, demonstrating how local leadership and international collaboration can drive meaningful change.

The decomposition of plant litter fall in an oak-linden-hornbeam forest and an oak-pine mixed forest of the Białowieża National Park

Białowieża Forest — 2014 — WHE1ACAAAB384

Decomposition rates of plant litter vary significantly between oak-linden-hornbeam and oak-pine mixed forests in Białowieża National Park, with hornbeam and linden leaves decomposing faster than oak leaves. In contrast, pine needles decompose more rapidly initially compared to spruce needles, but the latter eventually surpass pine needle decomposition. The study found that nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium release are primarily driven by microbiological processes, while potassium and magnesium are mainly released through leaching. Decomposition coefficients ranged from 0.63 for oak leaves (requiring 3–5 years to decay) to 0.21 for pine needles (taking 10–14 years). Initial decomposition rates were influenced by the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and soluble components in plant litter.

The demise of Darwin's fishes: evidence of fishing down and illegal shark finning in the Galápagos Islands

Galápagos Islands — 2014 — WHED52D6D5E08

A significant decline in high trophic level fish species, particularly groupers, has been observed in the Galápagos Islands over the past three decades. This phenomenon, known as 'fishing down,' has been replaced by planktivorous mullets due to intense fishing pressure closer to shore. The study analyzed total landings from 1950 to 2010, revealing that industrially caught tuna accounted for 80% of the 797,000 tons of seafood extracted during this period. Additionally, illegal shark finning remains a persistent issue despite conservation efforts, highlighting ongoing threats to the marine ecosystem. The research compiled and analyzed cumulative catch statistics, providing a comprehensive assessment of fishing impacts on Galápagos fisheries.

The Design Method of Tange Kenzo

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) — 2014 — WHEA8B1AE72AE

Tange Kenzo's design method revolutionized modern architecture, marking a pivotal shift in Japan's architectural landscape that is recognized globally. His groundbreaking work on the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park International Competition not only won first prize but also set a new benchmark for architectural innovation and technology, comparable to advanced Western standards. This paper dissects Tange's design philosophy through an analysis of his notable projects, including the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, which served as a centerpiece for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The study reveals how Tange's approach integrated structural sophistication with symbolic depth, earning him the moniker 'World’s Tange' and solidifying Japan's architectural prowess on the world stage.

The Design of the Spire from Temple 45 at Sanchi

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi — 2014 — WHE244B921B99

A new reconstruction of the spire from Temple 45 at Sanchi reveals innovative design principles in ninth-century Latina temples, addressing long-standing gaps in scholarly understanding. By analyzing architectural fragments and cross-referencing them with verses from the Dīpārṇava Vastuśāstra, the study proposes a detailed account of how Latina spires were designed, offering proportions and outlines that align with Temple 45's measurements. This methodology provides a more authentic virtual reassembly of the spire than previous attempts, advancing knowledge of early Indian temple architecture.

The Development of Managerial Competency for the Achievement of Sustainable National Park in Thailand

Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex — 2014 — WHE0EB89EE0C1

Successful sustainability of Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand hinges on the managerial competency of stakeholders, requiring continuous cooperation among governmental, private, and community sectors to balance social, economic, and environmental issues. The study, involving 40 participants including park executives, government officers, local communities, and tourists, employed qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, and content analysis. Findings underscore the critical role of active stakeholder participation, particularly from local communities and agencies, in effective park management. This participative approach is essential for integrating tourism promotion with forest conservation while addressing sustainability challenges.

The Dimensions of Tour Experience, Emotional Arousal, and Post-experience Behaviors: A Research on Pamukkale in Turkey

Hierapolis-Pamukkale — 2014 — WHE0E087BBD3C

A study on Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey, reveals that emotional arousal significantly influences tourists' post-experience behaviors. The research identifies four dimensions of tour experiences—escapism, education, entertainment, and esthetics—which collectively shape visitors' emotions and satisfaction. Using the 4E model (Escapism, Education, Entertainment, Esthetics) as a framework, the study found that escapism, entertainment, and esthetics positively impact emotional arousal, which in turn drives post-experience intentions such as satisfaction and repeat visits. The findings were derived from a questionnaire analyzed using Structural Equitation Model (SEM), providing insights into how emotional responses mediate tourist behavior at heritage sites.