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Marketing medieval heritage - spatial consumption

Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn — 2012 — WHEAAEB93566B

A significant gap exists in the conceptual approach to marketing medieval heritage, particularly in enabling visitors to fully experience and appreciate the urban landscape's architectural value as a cohesive whole. The study of Tallinn Old Town, Estonia, reveals that current tourism strategies fail to provide an integrated narrative or framework for spatial consumption, limiting both tourist engagement and the preservation of historical integrity. Using a mixed-methods approach—analyzing tourism literature, maps, and observational data—the research underscores the need for structured information systems that guide visitors through the heritage site's symbolic capital, enhancing its cultural and economic value. This finding carries critical implications for urban planners and marketers, emphasizing the importance of unified storytelling in heritage conservation and destination branding.

Martha Jefferson Randolph, Daughter of Monticello

Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville — 2012 — WHE9006AA689B

Martha Jefferson Randolph, daughter of Thomas Jefferson and mistress of Monticello, emerges as a pivotal yet understudied figure in American history. Her life challenges traditional narratives by illustrating the complexities of women's roles during the Founding Era—balancing privilege with domestic burdens, navigating troubled marriages, and engaging in intellectual debates on slavery, religion, and democracy. Randolph’s experiences reveal how women could transcend conventional boundaries while grappling with societal constraints. This biography leverages historical records to center her perspective, offering a fresh lens on early American society, politics, and the evolution of gender norms.

Más allá del Pacífico. Piezas de Oriente en los templos de Cundinamarca, Boyacá y Santander (Colombia)

Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville — 2012 — WHEF131441BF4

Research reveals that oriental elements, particularly church furnishings of Asian origin, were widespread in early 17th-century missionary churches across New Granada (modern-day Colombia). These objects, including silk textiles and other fabrics, arrived via two key maritime routes: the Carrera de Indias, linking Seville to Spanish territories in America, and the transpacific Galeón de Manila route. Archival records from Colombia's Archivo General de la Nación and Spain's Archivo General de Indias confirm their presence even in remote churches far from colonial centers. The study highlights the cultural exchange facilitated by these trade routes, contributing to the material heritage of New Granada's evangelization period.

Materializing the word

Aachen Cathedral — 2012 — WHE4B2FF6E3F8

Ottonian treasury bindings, once dismissed as primarily decorative, are revealed to have been sophisticated tools for communicating the Word of God through visual formulae that exploited innate and learned cognitive responses. This study demonstrates how these ornate gospel book covers, central to liturgical ceremonies in early eleventh-century Germany, captured viewer attention using reflective materials, centralized compositions, and human faces—findings supported by modern neuroscience and cognitive psychology. The research reconstructs original viewing contexts through liturgical analysis and examines the role of luxury bindings in elite collections, offering a new model for understanding the performative function and visual exegesis of these objects.

Materializing value: a comparative analysis of status and distinction in urban Tiwanaku, Bolivia

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2012 — WHE95BDDA6E8F

Inhabitants of the ancient Tiwanaku culture demonstrated selective use of material goods to express status and distinction, challenging assumptions about wealth distribution across the city's sectors. A comparative analysis of architecture and ceramics from two ritual and residential compounds revealed that while some residents employed valuable objects for social differentiation, this was not universally practiced. The study highlights the cultural embeddedness of wealth ideas and emphasizes the need for holistic interpretations to understand past material value systems.

Maternidad y niñez en el Hospicio Cabañas Guadalajara, 1920-1944

Hospicio Cabañas, Guadalajara — 2012 — WHEBC4D111676

A nuanced exploration of the Hospicio Cabañas in Guadalajara, Mexico, reveals significant contradictions between official discourses and everyday social practices during 1920–1944. The study highlights how public and private benevolence shaped maternal and childcare dynamics amidst post-Revolutionary Mexican societal shifts. By meticulously analyzing anecdotes and details, the research exposes tensions in education and gender relations, offering a critical lens on the intersection of social policies and lived experiences.

Mechanism for Burgess Shale-type preservation

Chengjiang Fossil Site — 2012 — WHE8948AB5BC6

Burgess Shale-type preservation of soft-bodied fossils, a phenomenon providing critical insights into early animal diversification, is attributed to unique sedimentologic and geochemical conditions. Research reveals that the exceptional preservation of labile tissues in Cambrian deposits like Chengjiang and Burgess Shale was driven by early inhibition of microbial activity due to oxidant deprivation. This condition arose from low sulfate concentrations in the global ocean and low-oxygen bottom water during deposition, combined with rapid fossil entombment in fine-grained sediments and sealing by carbonate cements at bed tops. These cements, facilitated by unusually high Cambrian seawater alkalinity, created a permeability barrier that restricted oxidant flux, thereby preserving organic remains as carbonaceous compressions. This mechanism, shared across multiple Burgess Shale-type deposits, offers a unique window into the immediate aftermath of the 'Cambrian explosion.'

Mechanism of garbages floating to the Iriomote Island

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2012 — WHE92EEC7F69C

A study on Iriomote Island, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Amami-Oshima and Okinawa Islands, reveals that garbage accumulation is strongly influenced by wind direction along its northern coast and both wind and ocean currents along its southern coast. Researchers used PET bottles as indicators to analyze garbage deposition patterns, tracing their origins based on production regions and environmental factors. This mechanism-based approach provides actionable insights for efficient waste management strategies not only in Iriomote but also across other coastal regions.

Media framing of a cultural disaster: the case of Ancient Olympia

Archaeological Site of Olympia — 2012 — WHE17767DF601

National media coverage of the 2007 forest fires at Ancient Olympia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and cradle of the Olympic Games, primarily focused on the disaster itself rather than the site's cultural significance or the museums' response. A study analyzing framing choices in Greek newspapers found minimal representation of museum activities during the crisis, highlighting a need for improved media relations strategies to better communicate the site's unique heritage value amid natural disasters.

Melt inclusion constraints on the magma source of Eyjafjallajökull 2010 flank eruption

Surtsey — 2012 — WHE52F9C475F4

A 2010 flank eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, Iceland, revealed that its magma source is linked to those of Katla and Surtsey basalts, with a dominant contribution from the Katla source. This finding was derived from analyzing melt inclusions (MIs) in olivine phenocrysts, which preserved primary magma compositions before ascent and differentiation. The study identified two basaltic end-members mixed during magma formation, with trace element data indicating significant proportions of recycled oceanic crust in their mantle sources. The compositional range of MIs (MgO 5.2–7.2 wt%) reflected binary mixing followed by fractional crystallization, providing rare insights into deep magmatic processes in Iceland.

Mementos of Place: Souvenir Purchases at the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal in Barbados

Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison — 2012 — WHEB42873BD27

A study on souvenir purchases at the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal in Barbados reveals that gender significantly influences tourist shopping behavior, with high-quality window displays and location being key factors in retail entry decisions. Tourists purchase souvenirs not only as mementos of their trip but also as gifts for family and friends, driven by the authenticity, size, weight, and quality of items. The research surveyed 178 cruise visitors to analyze purchase intentions and the role of retail atmospherics, offering actionable recommendations for industry design and layout improvements.

Memory and the everyday landscape of violence in post-genocide Cambodia

Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection — 2012 — WHE0088AB507F

Research reveals that Cambodia's genocide, while officially memorialized at Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek, extends beyond these sites to unmarked locations like the Sre Lieu mass grave and Kampong Chhnang Airfield. These overlooked sites serve as critical lenses for understanding the politics of memory, transitional justice, and the interplay between remembering and forgetting in post-genocide landscapes. The study employs a case study approach to argue that unremarked sites of violence offer deeper insights into contemporary societal dynamics, challenging conventional narratives by highlighting their significance as political resources.

Metallogeny of deep structures of the Earth’s crust in Southern Sikhote-Alin: Evidence from gravity data

Central Sikhote-Alin — 2012 — WHEDF084AC42A

Research reveals that ore deposits in Southern Sikhote-Alin exhibit a discrete correlation with deep crustal density anomalies, likely caused by magmatic bodies at depths of 1 to 24 km. These anomalies vary in composition and vertical range, influencing metallogenic specialization. Tin ore systems show a smaller vertical range (5–10 km), while tin-tungsten-gold systems span wider depths (20–25 km). The study used gravity data to analyze the spatial relationship between ore regions and deep crustal structures, demonstrating that lithostructural boundaries and central-type structures play a significant role in controlling ore mineralization. This finding provides new insights into the metallogenic processes governing ore distribution in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Methods for lion monitoring: a comparison from the S elous G ame R eserve, T anzania

Selous Game Reserve — 2012 — WHE1D9C1EA259

Africa's largest lion population, residing in Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve, has been estimated at 4,300 individuals (range: 1,700–6,900) using innovative call-up surveys. This method, employing buffalo calf distress calls to census lions in hunting sectors and photographic areas, proved effective for monitoring cryptic hunted carnivores. While the overall density estimate of 0.02 to 0.10 lions per km² remained consistent with previous data from 1997–1999, a notable decline in adult sex ratio was observed—dropping from 1 male : 1.3 female to 1 male : 3 females. The study underscores the importance of long-term projects for calibrating survey responses and tracking demographic trends, providing critical insights for conserving this iconic population amidst trophy hunting and tourism pressures.

Methods for mapping the tundra vegetation of sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island — 2012 — WHEE5471AE15C

A novel mapping technique for sub-Antarctic tundra vegetation, particularly the critically-endangered cushion plant Azorella macquariensis, has been developed and validated with high accuracy. This approach combines very high-resolution satellite imagery, terrain modeling, and random forest classification to overcome challenges posed by Macquarie Island's remote location, cloud cover, and small-statured vegetation. The study demonstrates that traditional community-based mapping is ineffective due to the island's ecological disturbance, necessitating single-species mapping. Additionally, a new photographic field sampling method reduces field time while maintaining data quality compared to conventional quadrat methods. Geographically-stratified random sampling effectively captures terrain-driven plant distribution variations, providing a robust framework for monitoring rapid vegetation changes on this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Metz (Moselle). Allée de la Tour des Esprits : « Fermeté de la Grève »

Fortifications of Vauban — 2012 — WHED003FD56FD

The fortifications of Metz, constructed in the early 13th century to protect outer quarters beyond its late antique ramparts, once encompassed 160 hectares with over 5.5 kilometers of walls. By the end of the Middle Ages, these defenses had largely been dismantled by the mid-16th century and rendered obsolete by Vauban's modern fortification system in the late 17th century. Today, remnants spanning approximately 1,000 meters remain, primarily in Metz's eastern sector, preserving a tangible link to its medieval military architecture. This study reconstructs the historical evolution of Metz's fortifications, highlighting their transition from ancient ramparts to Vauban-era defenses, and examines the archaeological evidence that underscores this shift.

Mice, scats and burials: Unusual concentrations of microfauna found in human burials at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, Central Anatolia

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2012 — WHEC8AC3E7E17

Archaeological research at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük reveals that human burials contained unusually high concentrations of microfauna, including small mammal bones and scats from carnivores. Taphonomic analysis confirmed these elements passed through the digestive tracts of small predators, suggesting deliberate placement by ancient inhabitants as part of ritualistic practices. One burial (F. 513) exhibited an exceptional concentration of microfauna over the torso, further supporting this interpretation. The study proposes that small carnivores were intentionally encouraged to inhabit Çatalhöyük to control house mouse populations, indicating a sophisticated relationship between humans and wildlife in Neolithic societies.

Michiel Matthijsz Smids (Rotterdam 1626-Berlijn 1692). Keurvorstelijk bouwmeester in Brandenburg

Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin — 2012 — WHE5923623D8C

Michiel Matthijsz Smids (1626–1692) emerges as a pivotal figure in 17th-century Brandenburg's redevelopment, notably for his role as the elector of Brandenburg's courtly building master. While not an architect himself, Smids executed designs by Johann Gregor Memhardt and others, contributing to significant projects such as the Oranienburg Palace, Berlin fortifications, and infrastructure like the Müllrose channel and locks. His Dutch influences, financial acumen in wood trading, and ability to pre-finance large-scale projects enabled him to amass substantial wealth while overseeing diverse construction endeavors across Potsdam, Berlin, and other towns. Though few of his works survive today, Smids' central role in a network of builders and craftsmen underscores his enduring impact on Brandenburg's architectural landscape.

Micro‐Raman study of Medieval Cistercian 12–13th century manuscripts: Santa Maria de Alcobaça, Portugal

Monastery of Alcobaça — 2012 — WHEE87D2DC1FE

A Micro-Raman study of 12–13th century manuscripts from the Monastery of Alcobaça, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Cistercian monastery founded in 1153, reveals distinct medieval color palettes characterized by consistent use of pink (vermilion or organic red mixed with lead white) and grey (carbon-based black pigment with lead white). Lazurite was the primary blue pigment, while azurite appeared only in one manuscript. Green hues were identified as bottle green, likely verdigris, showing signs of degradation. The study also detected darkening in lead white pigments, linked to galena formation and arsenate-based species, suggesting orpiment's role in degradation. Experimental validation confirmed these findings, indicating the presence of a new lead carbonate phase.

Microanalysis of blue pigments from the Ptolemaic temple of Hathor (Thebes), Upper Egypt: a case study

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2012 — WHE8F58B74017

A microanalysis of blue pigments from the Ptolemaic temple of Hathor in Ancient Thebes reveals that Egyptian blue (cuprorivaite) was used, with significant lead content in its glass phase, indicating the use of leaded bronze scrap in production. Optical and advanced microscopy techniques identified gypsum and dolomite as the underlying paint layers. Some pigments exhibited discoloration, turning green or black. This study enhances our understanding of painting materials from the Ptolemaic era, providing insights into ancient Egyptian artistic practices.

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