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Women in temples : the reconstruction of modern Chinese Buddhism temples in Mount Wutai

Mount Wutai — 2025 — WHED95893430F

Mount Wutai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Chinese Buddhism's four sacred mountains, has seen significant transformation in its temple architecture and practices since the implementation of China's Reform and Opening-up policy. A recent study highlights how women have played a pivotal role in this reconstruction process, challenging traditional gender norms within Buddhist institutions. The research explores the evolution of temple spaces, from their historical significance to their modern adaptations, emphasizing the agency of women in shaping religious and architectural landscapes. Through qualitative analysis, including interviews and archival research, the study reveals how women's involvement has influenced the preservation, renovation, and spiritual revitalization of Mount Wutai's temples. This work contributes to a broader understanding of gender dynamics in Buddhist communities and the intersection of culture, religion, and heritage conservation.

Women in the Sunga Age: Between Brahmanical Revival and Buddhist Influence

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi — 2025 — WHE89E839D9D7

During the Sunga Age (c. 185–73 BCE), women navigated a complex social landscape shaped by competing Brahmanical and Buddhist influences, retaining visible roles despite patriarchal constraints. Archaeological evidence from Sanchi and Bharhut reveals women as active participants in religious life, depicted as donors, worshippers, and central figures in art, contrasting with Brahmanical texts that emphasized domestic subordination. This study highlights the tension between Brahmanical revival and Buddhist institutions, which offered greater spiritual mobility for women. By analyzing textual, legal, and archaeological sources, it illuminates how tradition and transition coexisted, defining women's status during this pivotal period in Indian civilization.

Women’s Right to the City: The Case of Quito, Ecuador

City of Quito — 2025 — WHEC7A00559A2

A significant gender gap persists in Quito's urban design, with 81% of women experiencing sexual or offensive remarks and 69.8% encountering obscene gestures within a month, highlighting routine harassment that shapes their mobility and behavior. This study reveals how poorly lit corridors and weak institutional presence amplify violence against women, despite the city's 'Safe City' program. The research combines constitutional analysis, survey data (n=736), in-depth interviews, and participatory observation to demonstrate that Quito’s public spaces fail to uphold women’s right to safety and participation. The findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive urban planning, intersectoral resources, and substantive female involvement in policy-making to transform legal principles into lived realities.

Worked human bones and the rise of urban society in the neolithic Liangzhu culture, East Asia

Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City — 2025 — WHE514F8B9E5E

A significant discovery from the Liangzhu culture, one of East Asia's earliest urban societies (5000–4550 cal BP), reveals that worked human bones—previously thought to symbolize ancestor worship—were instead likely used for practical purposes. The high proportion of unfinished items suggests bones were not rare or ritually significant materials. This challenges conventional interpretations and indicates a shift in social practices tied to urbanization, population growth, and increasing complexity. The study, based on canal and moat deposits at Liangzhu City, proposes that the emergence of such practices may reflect changing interpersonal relationships and cultural views of 'others' and the dead, providing new insights into the rise of urban society in Neolithic China.

World heritage and outstanding universal value: an assessment on the ancient city of Sardis and the Bin Tepe Lydian Tumuli

Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe — 2025 — WHE0D0765411F

Sardis, the former capital of the Lydian civilization (7th–6th centuries BC), and the Bin Tepe Lydian Tumuli were recognized for their 'Outstanding Universal Value' as part of UNESCO's World Heritage Temporary List in 2013. This significance stems from Sardis' pivotal role in global economic history—it was the birthplace of coinage, a development that rapidly spread across civilizations—and its layered architectural heritage spanning Lydian, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. The site's multi-tiered structures, including monumental tombs, city walls, theaters, temples, bath-gymnasium complexes, and synagogues, reflect its continuous cultural evolution under successive empires. This assessment highlights Sardis' universal importance by evaluating it against UNESCO's criteria, positioning it as a candidate for permanent World Heritage status.

World Heritage and Tourism Innovation

Historic City of Yazd — 2025 — WHE2C5980FC70

A surviving eco-lodge in Yazd, Iran, demonstrates resilience through innovative sustainability practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key strategies included collaboration with local entrepreneurs, promotion of local handicrafts via social media, and partnerships with universities and NGOs. The study highlights adaptive reuse of traditional architecture to blend tourism with local culture while providing economic support for women and youth. Semi-structured interviews and owner contributions provided data, revealing how such eco-lodges can thrive by integrating sustainability principles into their operations.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: Geologic Resources Inventory Report

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2025 — WHE1E95A41969

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek, harbors significant geologic heritage that informs park management decisions regarding visitor safety, infrastructure planning, resource protection, and interpretation. The Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) report by Lanik and Loso (2025) provides a comprehensive analysis of the region's geological history, features, and processes, offering actionable insights for conservation efforts. The study integrates geologic data to address management challenges while contributing to broader understanding through accompanying GIS datasets and visual aids. This work serves as a critical resource for balancing development with the preservation of natural and cultural resources in one of the largest protected areas in the U.S.

Writing's on the wall: visual archaeology techniques to elicit the historical graffiti in Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv

Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — 2025 — WHE322ADC3EFE

A Swedish-Ukrainian collaboration has successfully employed visual archaeology techniques to digitally preserve over 2,000 historical graffiti inscriptions within Saint Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyiv. This groundbreaking effort, conducted under the challenges of ongoing conflict, utilized Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), Structure from Motion (SfM), and terrestrial laser scanning to capture intricate details while preserving spatial context. The project not only demonstrated the feasibility of high-quality digitization in war zones but also established scalable protocols for future heritage documentation. Stakeholder engagement across disciplines ensured relevance and adaptability, highlighting the importance of contextual adaptation in digital preservation efforts.

X-CT Reconstruction as a Tool for Monitoring the Conservation State and Decay Processes of Works of Art and in Support of Restoration and Conservation Strategies

Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan — 2025 — WHECB313C42F5

X-ray Computed Tomography (X-CT) emerges as a transformative tool for assessing the conservation state and decay processes of cultural heritage, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Japan's Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group. This non-invasive technique allows for detailed internal analysis without altering artifacts, making it invaluable for monitoring deterioration and guiding restoration strategies. The study demonstrates its versatility through diverse case studies, from an 18th-century writing cabinet to a Roman glass fragment, and notably, presents the first µ-CT investigation of a bronze arrowhead from Japan's Kofun period (3rd century CE). By providing digital models that aid in conservation efforts, X-CT not only supports the analysis of complex artifacts but also helps track the long-term effects of time and historical events on their preservation. Its adaptability across different setups further underscores its potential as a cornerstone for heritage management.

XR Narratives from Informative Models: The Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the Castrum Caetani in the Appian Way (UNESCO)

Via Appia. Regina Viarum — 2025 — WHE188D4D5FC0

A scalable methodology for integrating multi-scale, multi-temporal stratified layers into interactive Extended Reality (XR) platforms shows promise for enhancing cultural heritage engagement. By leveraging geoinformation systems and high-quality models derived from LiDAR, Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS), and photogrammetry, researchers propose a geoXR framework that correlates informational nodes in geographic space. This approach enables users to navigate narratives within shared geospatial contexts, amplifying the impact of digital heritage efforts while supporting continuous future implementation by diverse subjects.

Yadav (Ahir): Linguistically Enriched Indigenous Community in The Terai Culture

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha — 2025 — WHE8171B78B71

A deep-rooted, linguistically enriched Yadav (Ahir) community persists across Nepal's Terai to Himalayan regions, with strong ties to both Nepal and India. This study reveals the Yadav dynasty's ancient origins tracing back to the Indus River, emphasizing its historical and cultural significance in Lumbini—Lord Buddha's birthplace—and other key sites like Janakpurdham. Despite modern educational advancements, over 99% of Yadavs remain illiterate due to reliance on ancestral property, highlighting a persistent social gap. The community's identity is marked by shared titles, sub-titles, and profound proverbs, yet societal neglect persists without clear explanation. The research employs historical and geographical analysis to uncover the Yadavs' enduring legacy in Terai culture.

Zakonodavno Delo Svetoga Save

Studenica Monastery — 2025 — WHEAA19A4F1B4

Saint Sava, the first Serbian legislator, established a comprehensive legal framework for the autocephalous Serbian Archbishopric and monastic life, including three typika (monastic rules) for Hilandar and Studenica Monasteries. The Karyes Typikon (1199), based on an unidentified Greek model, and the Hilandar Typikon, adapted from the Constantinopolitan Monastery of Evergetis, governed monastic organization and daily life. The Studenica Typikon (1210) mirrored the Hilandar version but reflected distinct political and ecclesiastical contexts. Additionally, Sava compiled the Nomokanon (1215–1220), a canonical codex synthesizing Byzantine legal sources, which became foundational for Serbian Orthodox practices and influenced Bulgarian and Russian churches. Though no original texts survive, copies from the 13th to 17th centuries provide insight into his systematic approach to canon law and secular legislation.

Zawiyas and Urban Organization in the Medina of Tunis: A Heritage-Oriented Urban Reading from the Hafsid Period to Contemporary Reuse

Medina of Tunis — 2025 — WHE39F85D6058

Zawiyas, Sufi lodges in the Medina of Tunis, played a pivotal role in structuring urban, social, and spiritual landscapes from the Hafsid dynasty (13th–16th centuries) to contemporary times. These institutions were not merely religious spaces but acted as catalysts for neighborhood organization, brokerage between rulers and communities, education, charity, and spiritual governance. Their strategic positioning near gate-markets, cemeteries, and key neighborhoods underscored their deep integration into civic life. The study traces the modern patrimonialization process, highlighting tensions between spiritual authenticity, community custodianship, and cultural tourism. Comparative analysis with cities like Fès and Tlemcen reveals regional variations in heritage governance that influence conservation strategies. Zawiyas exemplify a continuity between spirituality and city-making, offering critical lessons for sustainable urban policy in North African medinas. This interdisciplinary research advances understanding of Islamic urbanism, heritage governance, and cultural resilience.

Zmienność i trwałość skażonych krajobrazów nadrzecznych w ujęciu geobiograficznym – casus Driny

Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad — 2025 — WHEA432EAAE9C

This study reveals how landscapes shaped by historical trauma and suffering can be both mutable and enduring, with their perception influenced by cultural narratives. Focusing on the Drina River, particularly around the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad, it demonstrates that rivers, inherently ephemeral due to their dynamic nature, serve as repositories of hidden wickedness while literature plays a pivotal role in solidifying the permanence of their perceived image. The research employs a geobiographical approach, integrating literary analysis—such as Ivo Andrić’s The Bridge on the Drina—with sensory experiences to construct an individually perceived landscape. This interplay between real and imagined landscapes highlights how cultural texts like Saša Stanišić’s How a Soldier Repaired the Gramophone and Ed Vulliamy’s reportage collection shape our understanding of contaminated riverine environments, offering a nuanced perspective on the intersection of history, memory, and place.

Zoonotic risks and conservation challenges: Gastrointestinal parasites in wild mammals of Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Chitwan National Park — 2025 — WHE4521CE9FB1

A comprehensive study of gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) in wild mammals of Chitwan National Park, Nepal, reveals a significant prevalence of 85.7% infection rates, with helminths being more common than protozoans. Nematodes were the most prevalent helminth group, followed by trematodes and cestodes, with multiple infections observed more frequently than single infections. The findings highlight a major health concern that could impact species survival and conservation efforts, emphasizing the need for proactive strategies to monitor and address these zoonotic risks in the park.

Zooplankton of Bahía de Los Ángeles (Gulf of California) in the Context of Other Coastal Regions of the Northeast Pacific

Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California — 2025 — WHE821C230907

Zooplankton communities in Bahía de Los Ángeles (BLA), a biodiversity-rich marine protected area within the UNESCO-listed Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, exhibit strong seasonal variability. Copepods and cladocerans dominate year-round, accounting for 93% of zooplankton abundance, while meroplankton taxa—including bivalve, gastropod, and barnacle larvae—peak during warmer months (summer–autumn). Notably, copepod nauplii surged in January, coinciding with colder temperatures. Among cladocerans, Penilia avirostris emerged as the most abundant species, contributing significantly to zooplankton composition from spring to autumn. This study, based on 81 monthly samples collected between 2017 and 2019, provides critical baseline data for ecological management and contextualizes BLA’s zooplankton dynamics within broader temperate and tropical coastal regions of the northeast Pacific.

Zur Datierung der beiden Dipteroi im Heraion von Samos

Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos — 2025 — WHEF249229B8F

Excavations at the Heraion of Samos in 1989 provided definitive stratigraphic dating for two ancient temples, Dipteros I and II. Uninterrupted strata across four trenches in Dipteros II's pronaos yielded key artifacts that pinned down the construction timeline of their foundations. Notably, a complex of finds beneath Dipteros I's foundation allowed its dating as well. Additional trenches examined the substructure of Dipteros II's foundation, offering deeper insights into its architectural development. This study resolved long-standing questions about the chronological sequence and construction phases of these significant structures within the UNESCO-listed Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos.

Zwischen Corvey und Arolsen

Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey — 2025 — WHEB16A3EEB61

Historical library conditions and developments can be successfully reconstructed through research, library holding indexing, notifications, and digitalization. This study examines the divergent fates of two libraries: the Princely Abbey of Corvey, which faced dispersion, destruction, and reconstruction, and the Court Library of Arolsen Castle, which retains an ensemble of holdings but has experienced significant losses during the Reformation, binder’s waste, or the Thirty Years War. The research approach involves leveraging historical records, inventory analysis, and digitalization to trace the evolution of these collections over time.

ΝΥΜΦΑΙ ΟΡΕΣΚΩΟΙ ΒΑΘΥΚΟΛΠΟΙ

Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos — 2025 — WHE07A5120E26

A distinct Nymph type, characterized by intricate draping with broad hollow hems and long fringes, has been identified through multiple replicas from the Pythagoreion of Samos. This type, likely originating around the mid-2nd century BCE, represents a significant artifact of Samos' Nymph cult. The study connects this type to earlier references in the Heraion's 346/345 BCE inscription and draws parallels with the fringed mantle of the Knidian Aphrodite, providing insight into the cultural and artistic practices of the region during the Hellenistic period.

'Europaean' Soldiers and the Severan Siege of Hatra*

Hatra — 2024 — WHE03A72B3DFB

A recent study challenges the notion that 'Europaean' soldiers mentioned during the Severan siege of Hatra were Syrians from Dura-Europos, instead supporting the traditional view that they originated from Europe. The research argues that this force was substantial and included troops experienced in siegecraft, providing a fresh perspective on Roman military strategy in the Second Parthian War. By re-examining known Roman military dispositions and the aftermath of the war, the study suggests that soldiers from Moesia would have been particularly useful for assembling an assault force. This work offers new insights into the composition and tactics of Roman armies during this critical period.