World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 27401 – 27420 of 30315 publications

Do Winds Control the Confluence of Subtropical and Subantarctic Surface Waters East of New Zealand?

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands — 2012 — WHE8DB57B8397

Sea level anomalies, surface height gradients, and eddy kinetic energy in the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands' confluence region are intensifying at accelerating rates—3.4 cm per decade for sea levels and 23 cm² s⁻² per decade for eddies—indicating a strengthening of frontal systems and ocean dynamics. While large-scale South Pacific winds appear to drive these changes, local bathymetry, including the Bounty Plateau and Bollons Seamount, also influences front positioning and eddy activity. The study, analyzing 18 years of satellite altimetry data (1993–2010), found a high correlation (r = 0.84) between frontal intensity and eddies, suggesting baroclinic instabilities. However, climate modes like the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) showed minimal correspondence with confluence variability, implying that local winds and topography play significant roles. If wind stress trends continue, this could further intensify heat and nutrient transfer, impacting energy dynamics and biological productivity.

Documentation and Conservation Guidelines of Melaka Heritage Shophouses

Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca — 2012 — WHE5EEDDDC2A5

Melaka's historic shophouses, integral to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Melaka and George Town, face significant threats from urban development that alter their architectural character and urban fabric. A comprehensive study identifies critical conservation challenges by analyzing site and facade typologies, building design influences, and environmental factors contributing to structural defects. The research underscores the need for detailed conservation guidelines to preserve these heritage structures effectively. By integrating thorough documentation with strategic planning, this approach aims to mitigate the adverse effects of modernization while safeguarding the cultural and architectural integrity of Melaka's shophouses.

Documentation in World Heritage conservation

Petra — 2012 — WHE3E807CB61C

Digital technologies, when combined with active stakeholder participation, significantly enhance the documentation and conservation of World Heritage Sites (WHS). This study demonstrates that systematic documentation tools like MEGA-J, integrated with GIS platforms for risk assessment in Petra Archeological Park (PAP), Jordan, can effectively map vulnerabilities and buffer zones. Similarly, a Geospatial Content Management System (Geo-CMS) in the Silk Roads Cultural Heritage Information System (CHRIS) project facilitates holistic information management across diverse transnational sites. The findings highlight the potential of these approaches to improve heritage conservation by providing efficient data sharing, risk identification, and stakeholder collaboration, particularly for complex or high-risk WHS.

Dolomite formation in the shallow seas of the Alpine Triassic

The Dolomites — 2012 — WHEB61AF4AA38

Recent research on the Dolomites reveals that some dolomite formations, previously thought to be late diagenetic or hydrothermal, actually formed during or shortly after sedimentation under specific ancient depositional environments. Three distinct Triassic systems—Latemar Platform in Northern Italy, San Giorgio Basin in Southern Switzerland, and the Dolomia Principale Formation—demonstrate contrasting palaeoenvironmental conditions for dolomite formation, including shallowing-upward lagoonal cycles, anoxic deeper water settings, and hypersaline sabkha-like environments. These findings challenge modern dolomitization models, suggesting that Triassic processes differed significantly in distribution and scale from contemporary ones. Advanced stable-isotope geochemistry and high-resolution geochemical probing provide new insights into Triassic palaeoceanographic conditions, advocating for a non-actualistic approach to better understand these ancient formations.

Dominican studia in Spain

Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge — 2012 — WHE41E36C2399

A significant portion of later medieval Scholastic literature was produced within the study-houses (studia) of religious orders, rather than universities. This volume highlights the pivotal role of Dominican studia in Spain and other institutional loci like the Papal Court at Avignon, where prominent Scholastic masters such as Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and John Duns Scotus taught. It challenges the conventional view that universities were the primary centers of Scholastic activity by demonstrating that mendicant orders' studia were more widespread and influential. The research compiles essays from a colloquium exploring philosophy and theology in various religious orders' studia, as well as at papal and royal courts, offering a comprehensive analysis of this understudied aspect of medieval intellectual history.

Données nouvelles sur la nécropole dite des Alyscamps à Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône). Fouilles de Rochefleur (1976)et de l'ancien cinéma l'Odéon, Bd Victor Hugo (1999-2000)

Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments — 2012 — WHE97049159A1

Archaeological excavations at two sites, Rochefleur (1976) and l'Odéon (1999-2000), within the Alyscamps necropolis in Arles, revealed a dynamic evolution of funeral practices spanning from the late 1st century BC to the 5th century AD. The study identified 37 cremation structures, four inhumations from the High Roman Empire, and four sarcophagi from late Antiquity, suggesting a shift in burial customs over time. Notably, l'Odéon site, closer to the high Roman Empire wall, appears slightly earlier than Rochefleur, indicating an eastward expansion of the necropolis. Additionally, l'Odéon was reused during late Antiquity with an unexplained construction, contrasting with the continuous funeral use at Rochefleur.

Donner à voir un patrimoine invisible : de l'original à la copie. Le cas de l'Espace de restitution de la grotte Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc

Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche — 2012 — WHE07E8F71EC2

A fac-similé of the decorated cave of Pont d'Arc, or Grotte Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc, successfully bridges the gap between conservation and accessibility by rendering an 'invisible heritage' visible. This replica, opened in 2014, leverages innovative technologies to provide visitors with a sensory and cognitive experience akin to exploring the original cave while imparting knowledge about Aurignacian culture. The study examines whether such fac-similés can effectively substitute for the original site, addressing geographical, sensory, and cognitive accessibility challenges. By analyzing the Grotte Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc case, researchers highlight the potential of replicas as tools for heritage transmission, questioning the nature of patrimoniality transfer from original to copy.

Doors: On the Materiality of the Symbolic

Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau — 2012 — WHEF3595D0F62

This study examines the symbolic significance of doors, particularly within the context of Bauhaus architecture and its cultural techniques. It argues that doors serve as material symbols that mediate between spaces, ideas, and societies, acting as thresholds that shape cultural practices and perceptions. The research employs a theoretical framework rooted in media philosophy and cultural studies to analyze how doors function as both physical structures and symbolic boundaries. By focusing on the Bauhaus movement's innovative approach to design, the study explores how materiality and symbolism intersect to redefine spatial experiences and cultural narratives.

Drivers and Socioeconomic Impacts of Tourism Participation in Protected Areas

Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains — 2012 — WHE350DF8EDB5

A multi-year study in Wolong Nature Reserve, China, reveals that households with greater financial, physical, human, and social capital were more likely to participate directly in nature-based tourism, while those with higher natural capital (e.g., cropland) were less inclined. The research also found that participating households experienced both increased non-financial benefits and negative environmental impacts compared to non-participating ones. Conducted between 1999 and 2007, the study tracked 220 local households, showing a significant rise in direct tourism participation from nine to sixty households over eight years, with two-thirds of others benefiting indirectly. The findings underscore the need for socioeconomic impact analysis and monitoring in nature-based tourism management to ensure long-term sustainability of protected areas.

Drought is a recurring challenge in the Middle East

Ancient Villages of Northern Syria — 2012 — WHEA71807DE42

A millennial-scale hydrologic instability in the Middle East, reconstructed from pollen-derived climate proxies near Tell Leilan in northeastern Syria, reveals that precipitation variability was a key factor influencing crop yields, economic systems, and human settlement patterns. This study links abrupt shifts to drier conditions around AD 1400 with significant societal changes, including the transition from sedentary village life to nomadization during the preindustrial era. By integrating climate proxies with archaeological-historical data and pollen-based agricultural records, researchers demonstrate that drought was a recurring challenge, contributing to population migrations and possibly accelerating the decline of the Ottoman Empire.

Du caveau-reliquaire à la grande crypte de pélerinage : un « mausolée » pour Hilarion. Les vestiges de Umm el-'Amr à Nuseirat (bande de Gaza)

Saint Hilarion Monastery/ Tell Umm Amer — 2012 — WHEBC07C88DB6

Archaeological excavations at the site of Saint Hilarion Monastery, located 10 km south of Gaza, have revealed a monumental proto-Byzantine monastery complex spanning over 14,000 m². The site, active from the 4th to the late 8th century, is attributed to Saint Hilarion, a foundational figure in Palestinian monasticism. The monastery's architectural evolution, characterized by five successive phases for its church and three for its bath complex, highlights its significance as one of the largest monasteries in Palestine and a key pilgrimage site in the region. Notably, the memory of Saint Hilarion was preserved through multiple churches and an unprecedentedly large crypt, setting a monumental standard in Middle Eastern religious architecture.

Dual power in Susa: Chronicle of a transitional period from Ur III via Šimaški to the Sukkalmaḫs

Susa — 2012 — WHEDC84DAF7D3

A new chronology for the early Sukkalmaḫat period at Susa, previously poorly understood, has been established by analyzing documentary texts and royal inscriptions. This breakthrough refines the timeline of Atta-ḫušu's rule, a key figure in the transition from the Ur III empire to the Sukkalmaḫ regime, and provides fresh insights into the socio-economic dynamics of this pivotal era. The study integrates archaeological and archival evidence, offering a more coherent narrative of political and administrative changes during this transitional phase.

Durrington Walls to West Amesbury by way of Stonehenge: a major transformation of the Holocene landscape

Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites — 2012 — WHE585A8A01DD

A major transformation of the Holocene landscape around Stonehenge, Avebury, and associated sites has been revealed through sediment analysis, pollen data, and molluscan studies conducted during the Stonehenge Riverside Project. The research shows that while early post-glacial vegetation was slow to establish, human activities began to significantly alter the landscape around 2900 cal BC, coinciding with the rise of Neolithic settlements like Durrington Walls and Stonehenge. This period marked a shift from intermittent woodland modification to a more open downland with increased anthropogenic activity, including tree clearance and wet floodplain development. The landscape remained stable and managed through the Neolithic and Bronze Age but was completely cleared around 800–500 cal BC, except for marshy fringes, due to intensified arable agriculture. These findings highlight the profound impact of human settlement on the region's ecology during prehistoric times.

Dynamics of habitats and macroinvertebrate assemblages in rivers of the Australian dry tropics

Wet Tropics of Queensland — 2012 — WHE71E2B66F88

Dryland rivers exhibit complex, dynamic macroinvertebrate assemblage patterns that challenge conventional monitoring and management approaches. Unlike the assumption that wet-season flooding resets assemblages, post-flooding communities vary significantly between years, indicating strong resistance and resilience traits among invertebrates. Biophysical conditions during the late dry season, often harsh, exert significant influence on these assemblages. The study, conducted across 15 sites in four rivers of Queensland's Burdekin catchment over one hydrological cycle, revealed no consistent patterns in taxonomic richness or assemblage turnover, underscoring the need for nuanced strategies to understand and conserve these ecosystems.

Dynamique sédimentaire intertidale en baie du Mont-Saint-Michel entre évolution naturelle et aménagements

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2012 — WHE8F4260BC3A

The Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel exhibits unique intertidal sediment dynamics shaped by exceptional tidal ranges (up to 14 meters) and vast intertidal zones, creating a rare megatidal hydro-sedimentary system. Research reveals that while the western bay's sediment dynamics are stable with minimal annual changes (<10 cm), wave action erodes coarse bioclastic sands, transporting them at rates of tens of meters per year to form discontinuous but stable shell bars along the shoreline. The eastern estuarine zone is characterized by channel migration influencing sandy intertidal morphology. Sediment accretion near Mont-Saint-Michel varies from 0.2 to 10 cm/year, depending on morpho-dynamic context, supporting regular mudflat deposition and salt marsh expansion at ~17 ha/year. The bay's long-term filling, driven by sea-level oscillations, has historically led to the gradual infilling of Dol Marsh and shoreline progradation. Human activities, including fixed fisheries, shellfish farming, polderization, and dike construction, have significantly altered these natural processes, with historical reconstructions providing insights into their impacts.

Dytiscidae, Noteridae, Haliplidae, Hydraenidae, Hydrophilidae, Hydrochidae, Helophoridae, Spercheidae and Dryopidae (Coleoptera) of the Russian part of the Curonian Spit: an attempt of complex faunal analysis

Curonian Spit — 2012 — WHE1A821DCEAF

A comprehensive annotated checklist of nine beetle families (Coleoptera) from the Russian part of the Curonian Spit reveals 90 species, with Dytiscidae and Hydrophilidae being the most diverse. The study highlights that unspecialized eurybiont and stagnophil species dominate this region, particularly those associated with small temporary water bodies. Notably, species such as Hydroporus obscurus, Hygrotus parallelogrammus, and others were identified, while specialized rheobiont and rheophil groups were absent. The research also explores the potential for aquatic Coleoptera to inhabit the Curonian Lagoon, contributing valuable insights into the biodiversity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Early pleistocene human humeri from the gran dolina‐TD6 site (sierra de atapuerca, spain)

Archaeological Site of Atapuerca — 2012 — WHE46F0418BE5

A comparative morphometric analysis of two Early Pleistocene humeri from the Gran Dolina-TD6 site in Atapuerca, Spain, reveals that certain 'Neandertal' traits—such as a large olecranon fossa and thin medial/lateral pillars—emerged much earlier than previously thought (ca. 900 ka), predating the estimated divergence of modern humans and Neandertals (ca. 400 ka). These features, shared with European Middle Pleistocene hominins and the Bodo humerus, suggest they were ancestral traits in an early polymorphic population of Homo, rather than exclusive to Neandertals. The study integrates skeletal morphology with dental evidence to propose that these derived characteristics arose during the Early Pleistocene, challenging assumptions about their evolutionary origins.

Early Proterozoic U-Pb Zircon Ages from Basement Gneiss at the Solovetsky Archipelago, White Sea, Russia

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2012 — WHE3A860DEDCD

Researchers have uncovered a significant geological insight from the Solovetsky Archipelago, revealing that granitic gneiss on Solovetsky Island dates back approximately 2.43 billion years (Ga). This discovery provides the first age determination for the archipelago and offers crucial information about the central region of the Neoarchaean Belomorian Mobile Belt (BMB), which is largely obscured by the White Sea. The study employed U-Pb zircon dating techniques, specifically SIMS-SHRIMP and LA-ICP-MS, to analyze zircons from the orthogneiss. The concordant age obtained aligns with granitic intrusions found approximately 50 km west of the Solovetsky Islands, suggesting a shared geological history within this region.

Early Silurian (Aeronian) East Point Coral Patch Reefs of Anticosti Island, Eastern Canada: First Reef Recovery from the Ordovician/Silurian Mass Extinction in Eastern Laurentia

Anticosti — 2012 — WHE2C19E15FB0

A significant discovery on Anticosti Island, eastern Canada, reveals the earliest evidence of reef recovery following the devastating Ordovician/Silurian mass extinction. This study identifies a late Aeronian patch reef swarm spanning 60–70 km, comprising over 100 reefs up to 80 meters in diameter and 10 meters high. These reefs, built primarily by tabulate and rugose corals alongside stromatoporoids, represent the first phase of reef recovery after a 5–6 million-year gap. The reefs exhibit unique symbiotic intergrowths between corals and stromatoporoids, along with a diverse array of calcifying cyanobacteria, crinoids, brachiopods, and green algae. The research also redefines the Menier Formation within the North American Stratigraphic Code, encompassing the lower two members of the existing Jupiter Formation.

East with the Night: Longitudinal Migration of the Orinoco Goose (Neochen jubata) between Manú National Park, Peru and the Llanos de Moxos, Bolivia

Manú National Park — 2012 — WHE8A2C604A64

A pair of Orinoco Geese (Neochen jubata), a Critically Endangered species in Peru, was tracked migrating approximately 655 kilometers from Manú National Park to the Llanos de Moxos in Bolivia. This longitudinal migration, primarily occurring at night with or without moonlight, sheds light on the wet season location of Peru's last known breeding population, aiding conservation efforts. The study suggests that Orinoco Geese in the Llanos de Moxos are year-round residents, indicating a partial migration from the Bení region, possibly due to cavity nest limitations. Researchers used GPS/Argos satellite PTTs to monitor the geese's movements and foraging areas, highlighting the importance of grazing lawns maintained by herbivores, including cattle.