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Showing 3141 – 3160 of 15962 publications

The late Quaternary environmental history of the Hortobágy landscape

Hortobágy National Park - the Puszta — 2025 — WHEBA05BF83A0

A two-phase construction of the Ecse Mound, dating to the end of the Copper Age, has been revealed through sedimentological and malacological analysis. This discovery sheds light on the landscape evolution around Hortobágy National Park during the Holocene period, following the Middle and Upper Pleniglacial, and Late Glacial phases of the Ice Age. The study utilized undisturbed core drilling and radiocarbon (AMS) measurements to analyze sediment properties both within the mound and its substrate base rock. Additionally, it highlights the need for standardized methodology in kurgan research to ensure consistent and comparable results across different studies.

The Legal System of the Vatican City State

Vatican City — 2025 — WHED5588E5D49

The Vatican City State's legal system demonstrates a unique form of 'legal transplants,' where norms from religious, Italian, European Union, and international law are creatively integrated to form a distinct legal framework. This study reveals that the reception of law in the Vatican is characterized by the selective borrowing and adaptation of diverse legal sources, including canon law and secular norms, which sets it apart from other examples of legal transplantation, such as EU law implementation in member states. The research analyzes how the confessional nature of the Vatican influences its legal norms and explores whether this mechanism could be applied in secular states. By examining the jurisprudence of Vatican courts and legislative practices, the study highlights the dynamic interplay between religious and secular legal principles.

The Liceo area - a forgotten but essential part of Hadrian's villa

Villa Adriana (Tivoli) — 2025 — WHE395B2C7778

New evidence from the Liceo area, south of Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli, reveals that its buildings—including recently excavated thermae (Building A), an ambulatorium, and two large cisterns—were integral to the imperial estate. Analysis of their location, chronology, and function suggests direct connection to both the late Republican predecessor villa and Hadrian’s later expansion, challenging long-standing assumptions about the area's exclusion from state-protected archaeological zones. The study, based on Norwegian-Swedish fieldwork (2011–2015), sheds light on a neglected but essential component of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The long-term absence of natural fires restructures the small-bodied mammal assemblages across a Protected Area of Brazilian Cerrado

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2025 — WHE69BE3B5738

Long-term absence of natural fires (17 years) significantly restructured small-bodied mammal assemblages in the Cerrado Protected Areas, leading to habitat homogenization and shifts in species composition. The study compared data from 2016–2017 (no fires) with 1999–2000 (fires present), revealing that most species adapted to both forest and savannah environments, unlike the distinct assemblages observed during natural fire regimes. This suggests fire absence alters local biodiversity dynamics, emphasizing its critical role in maintaining Cerrado ecosystems. The findings underscore the need for nuanced fire management strategies to preserve native biotas, as both excessive fires and their complete suppression negatively impact mammal communities.

The Longue Durée of Andean Movement Networks: Case Study in the Lauca Altiplano

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System — 2025 — WHEF65C7A61DD

A multi-scale analysis of the Lauca Altiplano reveals that Andean movement networks, including those linked to the Qhapaq Ñan and Potosí silver mines, exhibited remarkable resilience over millennia, with indigenous actors maintaining these systems despite minimal investment from the Inca and Spanish Empires. Combining historical maps, satellite imagery, field surveys, and stratigraphic data at way station settlements (tambo sites), researchers demonstrated that road networks persisted until modern territorial changes, challenging assumptions about imperial influence on transportation infrastructure in the Andes.

The Luminous Ambience of an Ancient Roman Public Building: A Characterization of the Inner Daylit Environment of Rogatianus Library in Thamugadi City (Timgad, Algeria)

Timgad — 2025 — WHE0F99B8CF72

A new analysis reveals that the ancient Roman library at Timgad, Algeria, was not uniformly daylit, suggesting its use varied spatially and temporally. The study compared Vitruvian design principles with previous research on Roman libraries before using 3D geometric modeling and Radiance simulations to characterize daylighting conditions in the library's large reading room. This approach highlights how the library's luminous environment influenced activities like consulting, reading, and storing books, offering insights into its functional adaptation to Timgad's unique climate.

The Making of Imperial Environments in Castile During the Reign of Philip II, 1556–1598

Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija — 2025 — WHEB3938AD0EE

During the reign of Philip II (1556–1598), the Spanish crown intensified its control over key environmental contexts to bolster imperial ambitions, marking a transformative period in resource exploitation. This study identifies four critical sites—mercury mining at Almadén, northern coastal woodlands, the Tajo River navigation, and the Royal Stables of Córdoba—as focal points for royal intervention. Through these environments, the crown asserted unprecedented authority, leveraging natural resources to address imperial crises while reshaping human-nature relationships. The research employs a comparative analysis of crown involvement, mechanisms of royal authority, and ecological impacts, revealing how centralized control over diverse landscapes facilitated Spain's early modern expansion.

The Material Side of Heritage Construction and Beyond it: A Biographical Approach to an Egyptian Tomb History Throughout its Walls (WGF - Post-PhD Research Grant)

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2025 — WHEB9646AAA82

A novel approach to understanding the material transformations of cultural heritage reveals how a tomb in Thebes' Necropolis evolves from its initial construction into a site of heritage significance. By tracing the biographical journey of Tomb TT 93 through archaeological and archaeometric methods, this research uncovers distinct material imprints left by heritage-making processes, contrasting them with earlier stages of use and memory. This symmetrical analysis of material traces—from oblivion to heritage—highlights the tomb's layered history, offering a unique perspective on how cultural narratives are embedded in the physical fabric of ancient sites.

The Materiality of Foresight: Grid, Granaries, and the Planned Metropolis of Mohenjo-Daro

Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro — 2025 — WHE69FF9057FC

Mohenjo-Daro, an ancient Indus Valley Civilization urban center, exemplifies advanced urban planning and foresight through its orthogonal grid system and monumental granaries. These structures, characterized by standardized brick sizes, elaborate drainage systems, and strategically located public buildings like the Great Bath, suggest a deliberate long-term vision for societal resilience, resource management, and communal living. The study posits that these material structures are active embodiments of collective foresight, enabling sustained prosperity and stability while encoding strategies for anticipating future challenges such as food security and public health. By examining the functional and symbolic dimensions of the grid and granaries, this research offers profound insights into pre-modern governance and environmental adaptation.

The Menhir as an Oral Tradition in Cattle-Raising Territories: First Geological Provenance Analyses at the Antequera Heritage Site, Spain

Antequera Dolmens Site — 2025 — WHE42BEEB6885

Geological provenance analysis reveals that menhirs at the Antequera Dolmens Site, Spain, were strategically sourced from specific outcrops, suggesting their role as navigational markers and cultural references in cattle-raising territories. The study combines archaeological field surveys, oral tradition testimonies, GIS mapping, geophysical prospection, photogrammetry, and RTI techniques to identify engravings and paintings on landmarks. This interdisciplinary approach provides the first detailed geological data for menhirs in the region, offering new insights into their historical significance and functionality beyond mere monumentality.

The mining vine, a source of projects for the Nord Pas-de-Calais Mining Basin, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin — 2025 — WHECB089C009D

A novel approach to revitalizing the Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin has emerged through the concept of the 'mining vine.' This method integrates heritage conservation with contemporary urban planning and development. The study highlights its potential by examining two worker housing estates—Lemay and Sainte-Marie in Pécquencourt—as case studies for territorial transformation. By blending historical significance with modern design, the mining vine offers a sustainable model for post-industrial landscapes, balancing preservation with innovation.

The moderating effect of visual landscape and soundscape on place attachment in world cultural heritage: a case study in Kulangsu, China

Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement — 2025 — WHE0E1AC74E1F

A study on Kulangsu, a UNESCO World Heritage site, reveals that the interplay between soundscape and visual landscape significantly influences place attachment. Specifically, highly pleasant or minimally eventful soundscapes enhance the positive impact of visual satisfaction on emotional connection to the environment. Conversely, lower visual satisfaction intensifies the effect of an eventful soundscape on attachment. These findings suggest that both auditory and visual elements shape urban attachment differently, offering critical insights for sustainable city planning in culturally sensitive areas like World Heritage sites.

The moderating role of gender and generation in the impact of destination image on behavioural intention at world natural heritage site

Mount Sanqingshan National Park — 2025 — WHEF6C02C94B4

A significant gender gap exists in how cognitive and affective destination images influence behavioral intentions at Mount Sanqingshan National Park. Female tourists show stronger indirect effects of cognitive image on behavioral intention through affective image and conative components compared to males. Additionally, generational differences emerge between post-2000s/1990s and post-1980s/1970s groups, with notable variations in the relationships between cognitive image, affective image, and conative components. The study used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Multi-Group Analysis (MGA) on data from 388 respondents to uncover these insights, providing actionable guidance for managing diverse tourist perceptions at World Natural Heritage Sites.

The Monastic Journey of St. Josaphat Kuntsevych: Byzantine Traditions and Spiritual Parallels with the Saints of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — 2025 — WHE64940A7517

St. Josaphat Kuntsevych's monastic journey reflects deep spiritual parallels with the saints of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, shaped by Byzantine traditions and ascetic disciplines. His life, rooted in the Basilian Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Vilnius, demonstrates how religious literature and local hagiographical texts, such as the Kyiv-Pechersk Paterikon, influenced his spiritual practices. The study reveals that Josaphat’s monastic path was not only a personal journey but also a continuation of Byzantine ecclesiastical heritage, illustrating enduring traditions in Eastern Christian spirituality.

The Monuments of Westminster Abbey

Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church — 2025 — WHE0A0CC251A7

Westminster Abbey's transformation into a premier site of commemoration during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, driven by the Reformation and civil wars, is revealed through a critical history of its monuments. The study highlights how tourism shaped the Abbey's response, including the use of signs, guides, and publications to facilitate visits, making monument viewing a popular London pastime. This work provides a methodology for studying memory in British culture, offering insights into the habits of commemoration in premodern society through an analysis of royal tombs, Poets' Corner, and military monuments. The inclusion of 32 illustrations, including early modern reproductions, underscores the vibrancy and significance of these commemorative practices.

The Myth of Luang Phrabang and the Construction of Cultural Landscape

Town of Luang Prabang — 2025 — WHECDCCEE8356

Luang Prabang's cultural landscape is intricately shaped by its legends, which serve as a foundational narrative for the town's historical settlement, sacred sites, and natural features. The study identifies three core thematic categories across ten key legends: village settlements like Chanthaphanith and Xieng Thong, sacred places and rituals such as those involving the Naga Clans, and the origins of natural landmarks like Mount Phou Nang. These legends collectively articulate a coherent cultural landscape that blends human history with environmental narratives, offering insights into how mythological traditions influence spatial organization and ritual practices in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Nationalistic View of History and Direction of Heritage Interpretation in China’s Northeast Project Regarding 『Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom』

Complex of Koguryo Tombs — 2025 — WHE2C93973CD6

China's inclusion of the 'Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom' as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 highlights a stark contrast in historical interpretations between China and North Korea, despite both sites originating from the same ancient Koguryo kingdom. This disparity stems from territorial shifts, where Koguryo's former lands now fall under Chinese jurisdiction, leading to divergent heritage narratives. The study critically analyzes China's nationalist approach to interpreting Koguryo history, influenced by its Northeast Project, and advocates for an inclusive heritage interpretation that transcends nationalistic perspectives. Such an approach aims to reflect diverse historical viewpoints and foster a broader understanding of the site's significance beyond specific national or ethnic boundaries.

The Necropolis of Aigai. Archaeology of an Exceptional Funerary Landscape

Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern name Vergina) — 2025 — WHE45D11AA9EC

Research on the necropolis of Aigai reveals a dynamic funerary landscape that evolved over 1,000 years, from the 7th century BC to the 3rd century AD. The study identifies distinct phases in the necropolis's development, showing a shift in its center from southeastern slopes facing Lydia to northwestern slopes overlooking key routes like Gryneion and Pergamon. A typology of funerary monuments—ranging from Orientalizing tumuli to Hellenistic and Roman terraces—was established, alongside the discovery of a structured network of roads and extra-urban sanctuaries that shaped the necropolis's organization. This comprehensive analysis, based on systematic surveys, new excavations, and re-examination of previous findings, offers unprecedented insights into the topographical evolution and social significance of this exceptional archaeological site.

The Nesting of Grauer’s Gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) and the Management of Wildlife Tourism at High Altitude in Kahuzi-Biega National Park (DRC): The Case of the Sylverblack Chimanuka Family

Kahuzi-Biega National Park — 2025 — WHE058565533F

Kahuzi-Biega National Park, home to approximately 170 Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri), harbors distinct nesting behaviors influenced by seasonal changes. A recent study reveals that the Chimanuka family, one of two habituated groups, constructs more terrestrial nests during the rainy season, primarily using grasses (59%), while shrub foliage dominates in the dry season (50%). Fresh nests, a key attraction for wildlife tourism, are built nightly and show seasonal variation in vegetation preference. Terrestrial nests often feature Mimulopsis solmsii in the rainy season and Chassalia subochreata in the dry season, whereas aerial nests, constructed at heights of 6–10 meters during rains (55%) and 4–6 meters in dry periods (55%), favor Dombeya torrida trees. The research employed reconnaissance walks, direct observation, and vertical measurements to map nesting patterns, highlighting seasonal habitat shifts and the regenerative aspects of fruit trees used for nesting.

The New Colossus and the Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty — 2025 — WHEA9165CEF9D

The Statue of Liberty, originally intended as a memorial to the Franco-American alliance during the Revolutionary War, was transformed into a global symbol of freedom and refuge for the oppressed following the inscription of Emma Lazarus's poem 'The New Colossus' on its pedestal in 1903. This study reveals how Lazarus's sonnet, initially written to fund the statue's construction but later forgotten, redefined the monument's significance, turning it into an enduring icon representing American ideals of liberty and asylum. The research explores the historical context and the deliberate effort by Lazarus's friends to ensure her words were permanently displayed, thereby reshaping the Statue's legacy beyond its original purpose.