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Showing 3021 – 3040 of 15962 publications

Tall Building Designs Inspired by Architectural Masters with Artificial Intelligence Tool DALL-E

Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği — 2025 — WHE806A2FED46

Artificial intelligence, specifically the DALL-E tool, shows promise but limitations in generating creative tall building designs inspired by UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The study highlights that while DALL-E can produce visually inspiring and innovative architectural concepts based on historical buildings like the Great Mosque of Divriği, it struggles with controllability and precision, often requiring multiple iterations to achieve desired results. Additionally, increasing the number of images generated leads to a loss of detail and blurriness. Despite these challenges, DALL-E remains effective for brainstorming and inspiring new designs, though it is still in its developmental stage.

TARAR: An Intelligent Tour Guide Avatar for Mobile Real-Time Augmented Reality in Heritage Sites

Ancient City of Sigiriya — 2025 — WHEECDD56FAE7

TARAR, an intelligent mobile augmented reality (AR) tour guide system featuring a 3D avatar, successfully integrates markerless localization, path-based navigation, and natural voice interaction to deliver immersive, real-time heritage site experiences. Field-tested at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, TARAR demonstrated its effectiveness by combining motion synthesis, lip-syncing, and context-aware animations to emulate human-led tour behavior. This breakthrough addresses the longstanding challenge of merging complex spatial guidance with conversational interfaces in dynamic heritage environments, offering a user-centered AR solution that enhances engagement and educational value for visitors.

Társadalmi helyzetkép Hollókőn a népszámlálási statisztikák alapján

Old Village of Hollókő and its Surroundings — 2025 — WHE72FA6210DE

Hollókő's population has shown distinct demographic trends, including changes in ethnic and religious composition, age structure, family status, education levels, and economic activity. These findings, derived from a comprehensive analysis of census data, provide a detailed snapshot of the village's social dynamics compared to broader Nógrád County trends. The study, conducted by researchers at the MRTT Rural Seminar Research Unit in 2023, employed descriptive and foundational methods to examine these aspects, offering valuable insights into the everyday life and societal structure of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tashkent Modernism: Problems of Preservation and New Prospects

Tashkent Modernist Architecture. Modernity and Tradition in Central Asia — 2025 — WHEE43CDBF686

Tashkent's modernist architecture, a blend of cultural heritage and global influence, serves as a strategic asset for Uzbekistan's economic and cultural development. A study highlights that initiatives like the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) project 'Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI' are crucial in preserving this unique architectural style, which not only enhances the country's international reputation but also fosters dialogue between past and present. The research emphasizes the significance of architectural heritage in achieving national strategic objectives, demonstrating its potential to drive cultural and economic growth while maintaining historical authenticity.

Taung and beyond: The mining history, geology and taphonomy of Australopithecus in South Africa

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — 2025 — WHE100E13CD40

South Africa's fossil hominid sites, including Taung and the Sterkfontein and Makapan Valleys, hold the world's richest early hominin fossil record, particularly of Australopithecus africanus. This study marks the centenary of the Taung Child discovery by reviewing the landscape formation, mining history, geochronology, and taphonomy that shaped this record. It critically examines the impact of extractive practices on research, highlighting exclusionary practices in mining-centered studies. The sites offer a unique window into early australopith environments, preserved through karstic landscapes. Future research is recommended to standardize excavation techniques and develop new dating methods for cave deposits, aiming to deepen understanding of early hominin evolution and environmental change.

Taxila University is Witness to Ancient Buddhist Education, History and Tradition: A Review

Taxila — 2025 — WHEAD4F88FC9D

Taxila, an ancient university and UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as a pivotal center of Buddhist education dating back to the 6th century BCE. Founded by Kuru prince Duryodhana, its ruins—comprising Hatial, Sirkap, and Sirsukh—reflect distinct historical periods and its strategic location at the crossroads of South Asia and Central Asia. This review highlights Taxila's enduring significance in Buddhist heritage, education, and tourism, drawing from Hindu epics like the Mahabharata and Jataka tales to trace its legacy. The study underscores its role as an early Buddhist learning hub while emphasizing its cultural importance for both Hinduism and Buddhism.

Taxonomic and genetic diversity of leeches on the Solovetsky Islands (White Sea, Northern European Russia)

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2025 — WHEA106C8A248

Recent research on the Solovetsky Islands reveals that freshwater leeches found there share genetic similarities with populations from continental Europe and Siberia, suggesting subrecent immigration after the retreat of the last ice sheet. Seven leech species were identified, all common in the Arctic Region. Genetic analysis using COI haplotype networks showed that island leeches either matched continental haplotypes or differed by one to three nucleotide substitutions, indicating limited genetic divergence. This implies that leeches dispersed to the islands relatively recently, likely during the first half of the Holocene as sea levels rose and habitats became accessible.

Taxonomic revision of the Hypoxylaceae (Ascomycota, Xylariales) from the Yucatan Peninsula biotic province, Mexico

Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche — 2025 — WHEE369051970

A taxonomic revision of the Hypoxylaceae family, comprising 75 species recorded from Mexico, reveals that 48 are found on the Yucatan Peninsula. This biotic province is notable for its high fungal diversity due to its unique biogeographic history. Researchers conducted seven expeditions across various vegetation types, including tropical deciduous forests, evergreen forests, and coastal dunes, within key areas such as Cuxtal Ecological Reserve, Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve, and Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Morphological identification of specimens led to the creation of a taxonomic key for genus and species. Two species, Hypomontagnella monticulosa and Daldinia eschscholtzii, were found to have wide distribution across this region.

Technofunctional Analysis Reveals the Role of Carinated Artifacts and End-Scrapers in the Aurignacian of Vogelherd Cave

Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura — 2025 — WHE28921CA3B1

A technofunctional analysis of Aurignacian lithic assemblages from Vogelherd Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Swabian Jura, reveals that carinated artifacts functioned primarily as cores for bladelet production, while non-carinated end-scrapers served specific tool-related tasks. By combining functional analysis, refitting sequences, and morphological studies of 970 artifacts from two Aurignacian horizons, researchers demonstrated that traceological methods can overcome the ambiguities of typological classifications. This approach provides new insights into Paleolithic technological behaviors, suggesting potential differences in how early modern humans employed technology compared to Neanderthals during the Upper Paleolithic transition.

Technological and compositional variation in pink and white pastes from a coffin set of the late Third Intermediate Period (Thebes, ca. 680–664 BCE)

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2025 — WHEB56E2D1532

A study of pink and white pastes on coffins from Ancient Thebes reveals distinct technological variations, with differences in micromorphology and elemental distribution indicating the use of multiple geological sources and workshop practices. Specifically, the inner and intermediate coffin of Pakepu, dating to 680–664 BCE, show contrasting surface layering and minor element compositions (Mg and Fe), suggesting divergent manufacturing protocols. The research employed minimally invasive techniques—optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy—to characterize these materials, providing insights into ancient Egyptian craftsmanship and provenance studies.

Tectonic relationships between the Paleozoic basement and the Mesozoic cover succession in the northern Dora-Maira Massif (Susa Valley, Western Alps)

Susa — 2025 — WHED2AA6530FC

A key insight into the multistage tectonic evolution of orogenic belts emerges from the northern Dora-Maira Massif, specifically within the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Susa. The study reveals that the Bussoleno Detachment Shear Zone, acting as a critical basement-cover interface, likely originated in the Early Triassic and localized deformation, predating Alpine polyphase deformation. This zone, along with the ophiolite-bearing Foresto Shear Zone, was deformed through four main phases (D1 to D4), with the early tectonic setting established during subduction-related D1 phase. The research utilizes a 1:5,000 scale geological map to elucidate these complex tectonic relationships, offering a deeper understanding of how detachment zones influence orogenic processes.

Temperature's Impact on Seasonal Growth of Woody Plants in Central Sikhote-Alin in the Conditions of Changing Climate

Central Sikhote-Alin — 2025 — WHEA3227228F3

A 35-year study of woody plant phenology in Central Sikhote-Alin reveals that spring growth phases advance by 3–6 days per degree Celsius of warming, with flowering being the most temperature-sensitive. Using continuous data from 1987 to 2022, researchers found that average spring temperatures and active temperature sums on May 1 were strong predictors of phenological shifts, while no significant autumn trends emerged. The study also identified Prunus padus (common bird cherry) as the most responsive species to climate change. Unlike previous studies, this research highlights a lack of adaptive phenological development in plants despite consistent warming trends (+0.29°C per decade).

Temporal Illumination Variation Compensation Using Perpendicular Whisk-Broom Hyperspectral Scans

Amiens Cathedral — 2025 — WHE006CDA4E41

A breakthrough method compensates for sunlight variability in outdoor hyperspectral imaging, preserving high-fidelity spectral data of cultural artifacts. By employing two orthogonal scans—one perpendicular to the traditional row-wise whisk-broom scan—the approach effectively mitigates temporal illumination fluctuations, even when additional scans coincide with black frames. The compensation is optimized using logarithmic space modeling and total variation penalization, ensuring smoothness while reducing acquisition time without sacrificing quality. Applied to Amiens Cathedral's stained-glass windows, this technique offers a robust solution for analyzing heritage sites under dynamic lighting conditions.

Ten More Years of the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) on Maui, Hawaiian Islands1

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — 2025 — WHE4F345029ED

Research confirms that the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) has established a self-sustaining population on Maui, Hawaiian Islands, expanding its range from Waikamoi Preserve to Haleakalā National Park over the past decade. The study leveraged multiple data sources—including forest bird surveys, eBird reports, autonomous recording units, and trail cameras—to document increased detection frequencies and seasonal activity patterns, particularly in spring. Observations also revealed two color morphs (wild-type and dark-throated) and evidence of juvenile survival, suggesting successful reproduction. The pheasant's expansion is attributed to minimal predator influence and the absence of competing gallinaceous birds in its preferred subalpine cloud forest habitat.

Tepe Sadegh, a Bronze Age settlement on the Sistan Plain. Pottery, Chronology, and Interactions

Shahr-i Sokhta — 2025 — WHEAD3ECE322D

A revised chronological framework for the Bronze Age in Eastern Iran emerges from the first comprehensive analysis of pottery from Tepe Sadegh, a satellite settlement near the UNESCO-listed Shahr-i Sokhta. This study establishes both relative and absolute dating by integrating ceramic typology with radiocarbon-dated charcoal, offering new insights into cultural sequences, urbanization, and socio-cultural complexity on the Sistan Plain. Comparative analysis with other Indo-Iranian Bronze Age sites refines regional chronologies, addressing a critical gap in documentation for Shahr-i Sokhta's satellite settlements.

Termite Control Strategies in Khiva and Khorezm: Traditional Practices vs. Modern Approaches

Itchan Kala — 2025 — WHE01BD0ABEE2

Research in Khiva and Khorezm reveals that traditional termite control strategies, rooted in vernacular architecture, have effectively reduced infestation risks for centuries. Historic buildings like those in Itchan Kala utilize baked bricks, treated timber, and moisture-control techniques, which inherently deter termites without relying on explicit ancient termiticides. Modern Uzbek research has built upon this local knowledge by developing 'toxic bait' capsules using poplar sawdust and locally-sourced cellulose feed, as well as biologic traps derived from over 40 native plants, both showing promising results in field tests. This study bridges traditional practices with modern approaches, offering sustainable solutions for heritage conservation while leveraging indigenous materials.

Terrae Motusat the Reggia di Caserta, Italy

18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio Complex — 2025 — WHE3D252BBBC2

An exhibition at the 18th-century Reggia di Caserta, Italy, showcases artworks from the Terrae Motus collection, inspired by the 1980 Irpinia-Basilicata Earthquake. The collection, curated by Lucio Amelio, features works by renowned artists from the 1980s that explore the theme of earthquakes in various forms. The exhibition parallels the palace's Baroque landscape with Enlightenment additions, fostering reflection on multitraditional spaces. This review presents a history of the collection, discusses key artworks, and examines how the exhibition's themes resonate with the palace's architectural and historical context.

Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Estimating the Volume and Biomass of Coniferous Stems in the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve — 2025 — WHED0A1993DC5

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) emerges as a powerful, non-destructive tool for accurately estimating tree volume and biomass, offering a significant advancement over traditional methods that are labor-intensive and often destructive. A study in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR), Mexico, demonstrated that TLS-derived stem volume estimates (Vol_TLS) closely matched those from predictive models based on destructive sampling, with no significant differences found. The relationship between Vol_TLS and a model-based volume (Vol_TModel) showed an exceptionally strong fit (R² = 0.97, RMSE = 0.351 m³), outperforming another model comparison (R² = 0.93, RMSE = 0.537 m³). This validation highlights TLS as a reliable alternative for forest biomass assessment, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like the MBBR, where conservation is paramount.

Tetrapod Remains from the Ladinian (Middle Triassic) Seltrich Beds of Monte San Giorgio UNESCO Site

Monte San Giorgio — 2025 — WHE0B139CAEC1

Paleontologists have uncovered rare tetrapod remains from the Ladinian (Middle Triassic) Sceltrich beds of Monte San Giorgio. The findings include isolated teeth and bones, revealing the presence of large to mid-sized eusauropterygians and the terrestrial tanystropheid Macrocnemus, providing the first documented evidence of reptile fauna in these strata. The research suggests that the tetrapod composition of the Sceltrich beds mirrors that of the upper Cassina beds, with taphonomic conditions likely involving disarticulation during a floating phase or prolonged residence allowing soft tissue decomposition before current removal of isolated elements.

Thai Hoa palace’s decorative sculpture art in Hue Imperial city

Complex of Hué Monuments — 2025 — WHE1C7B890A6B

Thai Hoa Palace, constructed in 1805 during the Nguyen Dynasty, stands out for its distinctive 'double roof, duplex house' architectural style and intricate decorative sculpture art. This structure, a centerpiece of Hue Imperial City, blends traditional Vietnamese decorative elements with modern fine arts, creating a unique aesthetic. The palace's stone sculptures, enamel, and porcelain inlays reflect exceptional worldwide artistic value. Built by craftspeople from across Vietnam, Thai Hoa Palace serves as a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of its era. Currently, it is part of Hue's old capital remains, preserving its historical and cultural significance.