World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 26441 – 26460 of 30315 publications

Los señores de Xochimilco en 1548

Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco — 2013 — WHEED7DE1C037

A rare Colonial-era legal document from Xochimilco, near Mexico City, reveals critical insights into the land tenure system and sociopolitical dynamics of the region's native lords during the early Spanish conquest. The 1548 text, analyzed by Dr. Carrasco, details the lands and tribute obligations of three key divisions—Tepetenchi, Tecpan, and Olac—offering unprecedented clarity on both pre-Conquest cacique governance and the transition to Colonial administration. The study leverages archival legal records to reconstruct historical economic structures and power relations, bridging gaps in our understanding of this pivotal period.

Low burrow occupancy and breeding success of burrowing petrels at Gough Island: a consequence of mouse predation

Gough and Inaccessible Islands — 2013 — WHE61B01A1436

Introduced house mice on Gough Island are severely impacting burrowing petrels, leading to low burrow occupancy (4–42%) and poor breeding success (0–44%) across multiple species. Research reveals that smaller petrel species and winter breeders are particularly vulnerable, with high chick mortality rates observed in Atlantic Petrels. The study suggests that predation by house mice is likely causing population declines among most burrowing petrels on the island, including Soft-plumaged Petrels and Broad-billed Prions, which show greatly reduced abundance compared to earlier decades. These findings indicate a broader threat than previously documented, emphasizing the urgent need for mouse eradication to protect Gough Island's petrel populations.

Low utilization of skilled birth attendants in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania: A complex reality requiring action

Ngorongoro Conservation Area — 2013 — WHE18193BB9C8

In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, only 7% of deliveries are attended by skilled birth attendants (SBAs), contributing to a high maternal mortality ratio of 642 deaths per 100,000 live births. This study identifies complex barriers to SBA utilization, including negative community perceptions of hospital care, financial insecurity, road limitations, and insufficient hospital resources. Using Thaddeus and Maine’s Three Delays model, researchers analyzed delays in decision-making at home, reaching the hospital, and receiving care through participatory action research involving Maasai stakeholders, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), and healthcare workers from 2009 to 2011. Key solutions proposed include increasing food security, integrating TBA/SBA care for culturally appropriate support, expanding hospital staffing, and improving emergency obstetric care availability. The study highlights the need for collaborative, multi-actor efforts to align local needs with clinical best practices in maternal healthcare.

Lucabindiite, (K,NH4)As4O6(Cl,Br), a new fumarole mineral from the "La Fossa" crater at Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy

Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) — 2013 — WHEBFE83A96E5

A new mineral, lucabindiite, (K,NH4)As4O6(Cl,Br), has been discovered in the fumaroles of Vulcano's 'La Fossa' crater within Italy's UNESCO-listed Aeolian Islands. This hexagonal mineral forms as colorless to white, transparent encrustations at 170°C, characterized by its unique crystal structure featuring neutral As2O3 sheets separated by interlayer potassium, ammonium, and halide atoms. Lucabindiite is the natural analog of synthetic phases with a similar formula and is named in honor of Luca Bindi, Professor of Mineralogy at the University of Florence. The discovery was made through chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction, revealing its distinct composition and structure, contributing to our understanding of mineral formation in high-temperature volcanic environments.

Luminescence dating of brick stupas: an application to the hinterland of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Sacred City of Anuradhapura — 2013 — WHE83F1C6A6B4

Luminescence dating reveals distinct construction phases in brick stupas, offering new insights into the architectural biographies of religious monuments. This groundbreaking approach uses optically stimulated luminescence to date brick fabric, distinguishing between original and recycled materials, which provides a more accurate timeline for economic and political changes. The study, conducted in the hinterland of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, demonstrates that while brick replacement and embellishment complicate absolute dating, it effectively identifies different building episodes. This method enhances our understanding of stupa evolution and their societal significance.

Lyon 5e (Rhône). 8, rue Saint-Jean

Historic Site of Lyon — 2013 — WHE80A6239423

Rénovation work on a building in Lyon's historic district revealed architectural plans typical of the area, featuring two residential structures aligned along a narrow parcel. The buildings, measuring approximately 25.5 meters in length and 8 meters in width, do not span the entire block, offering insights into urban planning in the Vieux Lyon sector. This discovery highlights the consistent design patterns observed in this preserved region.

Macroinvertebrados dulceacuícolas de la Isla del Coco, Costa Rica: especies y comparación con otras islas del Pacífico Tropical Oriental

Cocos Island National Park — 2013 — WHE8E933F4F00

A study of freshwater macroinvertebrates on Cocos Island, Costa Ricarevealed that mountainous islands in the Eastern Tropical Pacific support richer aquatic faunas due to higher cloud interception feeding freshwater environments. Researchers collected 455 individuals from 20 taxa across three rivers and two creeks, with Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) being the most abundant group. The analysis supported the Theory of Island Biogeography, showing that elevation-corrected island area better predicts taxonomic richness than distance alone. Physicochemical variables were consistent across sites, likely due to the island's geology and lack of pollution. This suggests that topographical features play a crucial role in shaping biodiversity on tropical oceanic islands.

Magical Amulet from Paphos with the ιαεω- Palindrome

Paphos — 2013 — WHE9A6FB693D2

A significant archaeological discovery from Paphos, Cyprus, reveals a late Roman amulet (6th century AD) featuring a unique ιαεω- palindrome inscribed on its reverse. The amulet, unearthed during the 2011 Paphos Agora Project excavation, measures 39.41 x 41.32 x 4.81 mm and is crafted from siltstone. Its obverse depicts Harpocrates, Osiris, a crocodile, rooster, snake, half-moon, and star, while the reverse bears an eight-line Greek text translating to 'Yahweh is the bearer of the secret name, the lion of Re secure in his shrine.' The palindrome's 59 letters and the amulet's symbolism suggest a fusion of Eastern influences and solar motifs. Dated via Cypriot Red Slip Ware (AD 450-550), this artifact offers rare insight into late Roman magical practices and religious syncretism in Paphos.

Management of Living Religious Heritage: Who Sets the Agenda? The Case of the Monastic Community of Mount Athos

Mount Athos — 2013 — WHE306EE71019

Heritage management at Mount Athos reveals that top-down decision-making by monastic authorities often sidelines heritage professionals. KEDAK, the agency tasked with preserving Athonite heritage, operates under strict control of the monasteries, leading to compromises in professional expertise. The study highlights tensions between expert-driven and community-based approaches, demonstrating how religious authority can dominate heritage conservation processes.

Management of Tasmanian eucalypt forests as complex adaptive systems

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2013 — WHE7BE71655CF

Tasmanian eucalypt forests, managed under high public scrutiny and adaptive practices, exemplify effective management of native forests as complex adaptive systems. This study highlights how Tasmania's Forest Practices Code and research-driven adaptive management have refined timber production while prioritizing environmental outcomes. Key strategies—summarized in Box 12.1—involve balancing ecological integrity with economic goals, demonstrating practical applications of complex adaptive system principles. Examples from state forests managed by Forestry Tasmania illustrate this approach, offering insights into sustainable forestry that could inform global practices.

Managing heritage and cultural tourism resources in Dubrovnik.

Old City of Dubrovnik — 2013 — WHED2713A2CAD

A sustainable development model for managing cultural tourism resources in Dubrovnik, Croatia, highlights the critical role of local stakeholder engagement in preserving UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The study identifies funding shortages and seasonal tourism fluctuations as major challenges for city authorities, while also noting the emergence of institutional networks that facilitate the interpretation and presentation of the Old City's cultural heritage. It further emphasizes the need to balance attention between central and peripheral cultural elements to ensure a more sustainable and inclusive tourism product.

Manners and Customs of the ancient Egyptians

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2013 — WHEE57E07256A

Sir John Gardner Wilkinson's 'Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians' (1837) revolutionized public understanding of ancient Egyptian life, blending meticulous archaeological observation with imaginative reconstruction. As a pioneer of British Egyptology, Wilkinson traveled to Egypt in 1821, predating Champollion’s Rosetta Stone breakthrough by a year. His three-volume work, which remained influential for over a century, covered daily life, funerary beliefs, justice, architecture, diet, music, crafts, and home furnishings—topics typically reserved for contemporary societies at the time. Wilkinson's approach, combining scholarly rigor with accessibility, underpinned its enduring success. Published excerpts from his broader works, such as 'Topography of Thebes' (1835) and 'Modern Egypt and Thebes' (1843), continue to offer invaluable insights into ancient Egyptian civilization.

Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2013 — WHEF927E4812C

Sir John Gardner Wilkinson's 'Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians' (1837) revolutionized public understanding of ancient Egyptian life, blending meticulous fieldwork with imaginative reconstruction. A pioneer in British Egyptology, Wilkinson traveled to Egypt in 1821, documenting the necropolis of Thebes and other major sites through sketches and detailed observations. His work, illustrated across three volumes, became a cornerstone text for over a century, covering daily life, funerary practices, justice, architecture, diet, music, crafts, and domestic furnishings. Unlike contemporary texts focused on modern societies, Wilkinson's approach combined scholarly rigor with popular appeal, offering an early yet enduring synthesis of ancient Egyptian culture that bridged academic study and public fascination.

Map of Nasca Geoglyphs

Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa — 2013 — WHE1A72AD900A

A comprehensive digital map of the Nasca geoglyphs, created through collaboration between the Czech Technical University and the University of Applied Sciences in Dresden, offers a vital tool for preserving Peru's UNESCO-listed cultural heritage. This map, available both digitally and in paper form, integrates planimetric components, lettering, and altimetry derived from georeferenced satellite images and digital elevation models. The project, initiated in 1995 with active documentation efforts since 2004, employs ArcGIS software to digitize the geoglyphs as a vector layer, ensuring long-term preservation of these fragile soil drawings amid threats of destruction. This innovative approach not only serves as a scholarly resource but also provides an accessible means for global audiences to explore and study one of the world's most enigmatic archaeological sites.

Mapping Muslim Sacred Tombs in Palestine During the Mandate Period

Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev — 2013 — WHE7B621D02D9

A comprehensive mapping of nearly 800 Muslim sacred tombs and sanctuaries in British Mandate Palestine reveals their widespread distribution, cultural significance, and historical evolution. The study, leveraging British-era maps and sources from the 1930–40s, identifies patterns in the location, history, and transformation of these monuments, comparing them with data from the late Ottoman period. Analysis highlights the tombs' role as integral landmarks across diverse regions—from the Mediterranean to the Negev Desert—serving various population groups and reflecting changes over time. This systematic approach provides unprecedented insight into the spatial and cultural dynamics of Muslim sacred sites during a pivotal historical transition.

Mapping Pathways to Heaven: A Topographical Engraving of Meteora (1782)

Meteora — 2013 — WHE7544764B14

A late 18th-century topographical engraving of Meteora, the second-largest monastic complex in Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals how cartographic principles merged with Byzantine artistic traditions to create a unique visual representation. This 1782 print serves as both a mental map reflecting monks' perceptions of the region and a promotional tool during a period of political instability. The engraving's dual purpose—simultaneously concealing harsh terrestrial conditions while highlighting spiritual pathways—offers insight into vernacular Greek cartographic practices and the cultural significance of Meteora. The study analyzes this rare artifact to uncover its historical and artistic value, situating it within broader trends in Greek mapping and monastic visualization.

Marble use and reuse at Pompeii and Herculaneum: the evidence from the bars

Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata — 2013 — WHEE2C2BEC59E

A comprehensive analysis of marble use and reuse at Pompeii and Herculaneum reveals the pervasiveness of the pan-Mediterranean marble trade, with over 8,000 pieces of stone documented across 57 bars or shops (thermopolia). The study highlights that these establishments, often overlooked in favor of public buildings and elite houses, provide a significant source of information about material acquisition, display techniques, and economic practices. By examining the types, quantities, and distribution of marble, researchers have traced its origins and usage patterns, shedding light on the complex economics of architectural material reuse in the Vesuvian cities.

Marine benthic habitat mapping of the West Arm, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2013 — WHE553F0B6482

Research reveals that the West Arm of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, is divided into two distinct marine environments: a dynamic upper fjord and a relatively static lower fjord. This differentiation is driven by high glacial sediment flux and meltwater inputs, which dominate the seafloor substrate with mud and create a highly dynamic estuarine ecosystem. The study utilized multibeam sonar, ground-truthed observations, and geological interpretations to map benthic habitats using the CMECS classification scheme. Additionally, sediment accumulation data from differential bathymetry and water-column characteristics from CTD measurements and circulation models were analyzed. These findings not only test the utility of the CMECS classification in glacimarine environments but also establish a baseline for future research on the correlations between seafloor substrate, benthic habitats, and glacial processes.

Market segmentation based on time use: an empirical analysis in the historic city of Toledo, Spain

Historic City of Toledo — 2013 — WHE1634E4D192

A study of the historic city of Toledo, Spain, reveals that time use is an effective and profitable criterion for segmenting visitors, with distinct differences in spending and future intentions between day-trippers and tourists. The research analyzed data from 799 day-trippers and tourists, identifying four segments for each group. These findings suggest that understanding time use can help destinations prioritize which visitor groups to attract and optimize activity and service offerings.

Martha Jefferson Randolph, Daughter of Monticello: Her Life and Times

Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville — 2013 — WHE9D59399D90

Martha Jefferson Randolph, daughter of Thomas Jefferson and a prominent figure in Virginia's political landscape, is re-evaluated in this biography. While traditional historiography portrays her as a selfless, capable woman who prioritized her father's needs over her own, Cynthia A. Kierner challenges this narrative by emphasizing the socio-economic pressures she faced as an elite white woman burdened by debt and political obligations. The study highlights Randolph's strategic navigation of family politics, from supporting her father during the Revolutionary War to seeking financial aid in Andrew Jackson's White House. Her education and identity as Jefferson's daughter were her primary assets, but these also posed significant liabilities. This work offers a nuanced perspective on Randolph's life, revealing her agency within a complex political environment.