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Showing 26921 – 26940 of 30315 publications

The ongoing Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaiʻi: 30 Years of eruptive activity

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — 2013 — WHE71541ED229

The Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, ongoing since 1983, stands as the longest rift-zone eruption in over 500 years. This prolonged volcanic activity has reshaped the landscape, burying 48 square miles (125 square kilometers) and expanding the Island of Hawaiʻi by approximately 500 acres (200 hectares). The eruption presents both challenges and opportunities: it disrupts local communities while attracting millions of visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS scientists monitor hazards and collaborate with park rangers to ensure visitor safety during lava viewing, highlighting the intersection of scientific study, conservation, and public engagement in this dynamic natural setting.

The Ordovician-Silurian boundary (late Katian-Hirnantian) of western Anticosti Island: revised stratigraphy and benthic megafaunal correlations

Anticosti — 2013 — WHEF035E3055C

A revised stratigraphy of the Ellis Bay Formation on western Anticosti Island reveals critical insights into one of Earth's most significant mass extinction events, marking the transition from the Ordovician to Silurian periods. The study identifies three new members—Fraise, Juncliff, and Parastro—within this formation, which spans approximately 80–90 meters and captures the Hirnantian shelly fauna's onset near its base. This fauna, characterized by brachiopods like Eospirigerina and Hindella, ends abruptly at the top of the reefal Laframboise Member, coinciding with a major extinction event that wiped out Hirnantian brachiopods, stromatoporoids, corals, crinoids, and nautiloids. The recovery in the earliest Silurian (Rhuddanian) is marked by small-shelled brachiopod faunas, including both Ordovician hold-over taxa and new arrivals like Viridita and Koigia. This revision highlights the formation's role as a key record of environmental changes during this pivotal period.

The Origins of the Civilization of Angkor

Angkor — 2013 — WHEF02B9CA8E3

A groundbreaking synthesis of two decades of research reveals that the civilization of Angkor emerged through a complex interplay of environmental adaptation, technological innovation, and cultural evolution. Charles Higham's work challenges long-held assumptions about the region's development, uncovering new evidence for the adoption of rice farming, copper-based metallurgy, and iron-age advancements as foundational elements in state formation. Archaeogenetic data further illuminates the genetic underpinnings of this transition. This interdisciplinary approach integrates environmental history with archaeological and genetic findings to reconstruct Angkor's rise over two millennia.

The Palace of Darius at Susa

Susa — 2013 — WHE14859E2345

The Palace of Darius at Susa, constructed 2500 years ago by the Achaemenid King Darius I, reveals groundbreaking insights into ancient Persian architecture and iconography. Key discoveries include bull-headed capitals, enamel friezes depicting archers, and intricate carvings of lions and winged monsters, which introduced novel artistic motifs to the region. Extensive excavations between 1969 and 1979, led by French archaeologist Jean Perrot, uncovered the palace's full scale and complexity, casting new light on the Achaemenid period (522-486 BCE). The research employed systematic fieldwork to document this UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a comprehensive understanding of its historical significance within the vast Persian Empire that once spanned from the Nile to the Indus Valley.

The Papers of James Madison

Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville — 2013 — WHE5B5C6E1F85

A comprehensive examination of James Madison's papers during his tenure as Secretary of State (1804–1805) and President (1813–1814), along with his retirement years (1820–1823), reveals the intricate diplomatic challenges and administrative burdens he faced. These volumes, part of a multi-decade editorial project initiated in the 1950s, showcase Madison's meticulous handling of international disputes—such as boundary negotiations with Spain and tensions with Britain—and his efforts to stabilize governance in Louisiana amid French and Spanish influence. The collection underscores Madison's role in shaping early American diplomacy and governance, providing unprecedented access to his correspondences, coded instructions, and administrative decisions. Highlighting the enduring rigor of the editorial process, these documents enrich our understanding of the Founding Fathers' contributions to U.S. political and diplomatic history.

The Past is Always Present: The Revival of the Byzantine Musical Tradition at Mount Athos

Mount Athos — 2013 — WHE7696984C43

Mount Athos serves as a living archive of Byzantine musical tradition, demonstrating how historical practices persist and evolve within sacred monastic spaces. The revival of this tradition is rooted in the site's unique role as both a center for religious devotion and a repository of cultural heritage. Research employs ethnomusicological methods to analyze oral histories, liturgical texts, and musical performances, revealing how monks adapt Byzantine chant while preserving its core elements. This study highlights the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation, showing that Mount Athos acts as a bridge between the past and present, sustaining a musical legacy that transcends centuries.

The Petra Pool-Complex: A Hellenistic Paradeisos in the Nabataean Capital

Petra — 2013 — WHE2584BFC8B0

Excavations in Petra, Jordan, have uncovered a monumental pool-complex that played a pivotal role in the socio-political life of the Nabataean capital during its Hellenistic and Roman periods. This 'paradeisos' served as a symbol of the Nabataean king's power and status among contemporary rulers, exemplifying conspicuous consumption and the flourishing status of Petra during its Classical era. The discovery highlights the architectural and cultural sophistication of the Nabataeans, blending Hellenistic influences with local traditions to create a unique urban landscape that reinforced political legitimacy.

The Plastered Skulls

Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan — 2013 — WHE37D15164AE

A remarkable analysis reveals that Skull 88-1 from 'Ain Ghazal stands out as the most spectacular example of plastered skulls in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) tradition, offering new insights into ancient burial practices and ritualistic behaviors. By comparing this skull to a broader context—including fourteen decapitated heads from 'Ain Ghazal and assemblages from seven other Levantine sites such as Jericho, Beisamoun, and Kösk Höyük—the study highlights the cultural significance of skull removal and plastering. These practices are further contextualized through ancient Near Eastern iconography and historical texts, which often depicted decapitation as an abomination, suggesting a complex interplay between ritual, symbolism, and societal norms during this period.

The Politics of Art and Architecture at the Bauhaus, 1919–1933

Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau — 2013 — WHE14124B5E51

Artistic and architectural movements in Weimar Germany, particularly within the Bauhaus school, reflected a widespread rejection of pre-war imperial systems, which were seen as corrupt and ineffective. This study reveals that artists associated with Bauhaus and other avant-garde movements—such as Expressionism, Cubism, Dada, and Constructivism—challenged traditional structures through innovative forms and ideological diversity. The research approach involved analyzing the political and aesthetic developments of the era, highlighting how these movements responded to the challenges of industrial modernity while critiquing the complicity of institutions like the government, aristocracy, and bourgeoisie in systemic failures.

The politics of world heritage: a case study of the Pitons Management Area, St Lucia

Pitons Management Area — 2013 — WHEE833C03DF5

The Pitons Management Area (PMA) in St. Lucia, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, faces persistent challenges balancing conservation and development. A study analyzing media discourse revealed that while the inscription heightened the site's profile, political factors have overshadowed opportunities for sustainable management. The research, using content analysis of two leading newspapers, found a focus on addressing problems rather than leveraging benefits from the inscription. This highlights the primacy of politics in heritage management, with development quandaries persisting since the site's designation.

The ponds of Hattuša – early groundwater management in the Hittite kingdom

Hattusha: the Hittite Capital — 2013 — WHE7A4672FAD6

Research at Hattusha, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire (1650–1200 BC), reveals that the city's large-scale ponds were likely supplied by exfiltrating groundwater rather than through long-distance pipelines. Groundwater monitoring from 2009 to 2011 showed seasonal fluctuations in water levels, rising above former pond surfaces during winter and dropping in summer. This suggests the Hittites tapped into slope aquifers, leveraging artesian sources similar to modern willow fountains in the region. The findings challenge earlier assumptions about water supply systems, demonstrating an advanced understanding of groundwater management in ancient urban planning.

The possibility of using high resolution satellite images for detection of marine mammals

Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve — 2013 — WHE97D0DDB7A6

High-resolution satellite imagery can effectively detect marine mammals, including polar bears, walruses, and whales, as demonstrated by a study analyzing GeoEye satellite data from the Wrangel Island Reserve. The research highlights the potential of remote sensing in optical ranges for monitoring these species during seasonal thaw (June 2009), though the absence of synchronous ground truth observations limits the reliability of the findings. This approach offers promising tools for ecological studies and conservation efforts, particularly in remote or inaccessible regions like Wrangel Island.

The Potala Palace: Remembering to Forget in Contemporary Tibet

Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa — 2013 — WHE806692CC6E

The Potala Palace, an iconic Tibetan structure, has undergone a significant transformation from its role as the residence of the Dalai Lamas and the administrative heart of Tibetan Buddhism to becoming a symbol of state-led 'organised forgetting' under Chinese rule. Unlike the Taj Mahal, which commemorates the absent through deliberate design, the Potala's monumental status emerged post-1959 after the 14th Dalai Lama's exile, making it a painful reminder of his absence for many Tibetans. This study argues that contemporary monumentalisation in Tibet serves a state agenda rather than memory, contrasting the palace's immovability with the Dalai Lama's global mobility as a symbol of the Tibetan cause.

The poultry thief: Subsistence farmers' perceptions of depredation outside the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park — 2013 — WHECAA50DA110

A significant portion of subsistence farmers in villages near the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, report substantial poultry losses to predators, with 48.4% of households experiencing depredation. These losses equate to an average annual economic loss of US $14.5 per household, or 10.4% of their cash income, yet this was not linked to perceived livestock depredation. The study, involving structured interviews with 481 households, found that the probability of reporting poultry predation increased with flock size and distance from protected areas. This research highlights the economic impact of smaller carnivores on rural livelihoods and underscores the need for targeted conservation interventions that address human-carnivore conflicts beyond large predators.

The Poush Mela in Santiniketan

Santiniketan — 2013 — WHE47F1830D1C

The Poush Mela, an annual fair held at Santiniketan (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), serves as a dynamic site of social exchange, fostering cultural and intellectual interactions. This study highlights its role in preserving and promoting the heritage of Visva-Bharati, Rabindranath Tagore's institution, by bringing together diverse communities for artistic, literary, and musical performances. The research employs qualitative methods, including historical analysis and ethnographic observations, to explore how the fair facilitates dialogue among participants, reinforcing Santiniketan's legacy as a hub of cultural innovation.

The Production and Reproduction of a Monument: The Many Lives of the SanchiStupa

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi — 2013 — WHEE70BCB7208

The Sanchi Stupa complex, once a disused ruin and target of ravage, has transformed into one of the best-preserved ancient structures, reflecting its dynamic historical journey. This study uncovers how colonial-era practices—such as imaging, replication, documentation, and archaeological conservation—shaped its preservation, culminating in the 'Marshall era.' It also explores the shifting politics of control and resacralization, highlighting tensions between secular and sacred, archaeological and devotional consecrations during Sanchi's transition from a colonial to a national monument. The research traces these processes through historical narratives, institutional documentation, and photographic records, offering insights into the complex afterlives of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in postcolonial and contemporary contexts.

The Public Presence of Women in the Cities of Roman North Africa. Two Case Studies: Thamugadi and Cuicul

Djémila — 2013 — WHE30E3217DBA

A notable discovery in Roman North Africa reveals the significant public presence of women through inscriptions and portrait statues, particularly in Thamugadi (Timgad) and Cuicul (Djémila). The study highlights Cornelia Valentina Tucciana s. Sertia, who was honored with five statues in the early third century AD, showcasing her prominence in the urban landscape. Additionally, Didia Cornelia and her sister Didia Cornelia Ingenua initiated three statuary monuments for their family members on the North Forum, underscoring women's roles in public commemoration during this period.

The quest of Shiman-chu: Questioning the absolutes of language, culture, and Being

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2013 — WHE18BED251FC

Despite significant loss of the Shima-guchi language and Shima-culture on Tokunoshima Island, Shiman-chu identity remains robust among residents. This finding emerges from a mixed-methods study involving surveys (N=3509) and interviews (N=40), conducted over four years within an Indigenous research paradigm that prioritizes participant voices and reciprocity. The study revealed a strong positive correlation between age and fluency in Shima-guchi, as well as knowledge of Shima-culture, with many participants emphasizing the importance of preserving 'Shima no kokoro'—the heart of the island expressed through language and culture. While linguistic and cultural erosion is evident, the majority of participants expressed a desire to retain these elements for future generations.

The Question of Jerusalem (Chapter 7)

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2013 — WHEE24FC109B8

Jerusalem stands out as a city of unparalleled spiritual significance, central to three major world religions—Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. This study highlights its unique status as the birthplace of Christianity, home to numerous sacred sites like the Holy Sepulchre, Church of Nativity, and the Via Dolorosa, while also serving as a pivotal holy city for Muslims, second only to Mecca and Medina. The research delves into Jerusalem's religious heritage, emphasizing its role in Islamic tradition, where it is revered as Al-Quds (the Holy) and hosts iconic structures such as the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Additionally, it underscores the city's deep emotional and political resonance, transcending regional conflicts to become a symbol of global importance. The analysis draws from historical and religious texts to contextualize Jerusalem's multifaceted significance.

The Range of Prey Size of the Royal Bengal Tiger of Sundarbans

The Sundarbans — 2013 — WHE6E9982F93C

A significant increase in the relative number of prey species consumed by Royal Bengal Tigers in the Sundarbans correlates with increased prey availability, suggesting a positive effect on tiger conservation. The study analyzed 214 tiger scat samples to identify undigested remains, revealing that tigers primarily consume spotted deer, wild boar, rhesus monkeys, and water monitors. While small prey species make up a low proportion of the diet, their importance is highlighted in the context of increased vigilance and habitat conservation efforts.