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Bamiyan Comes to Bangkok: Situating the Buddha of the Cave Museum at Wat Saket

Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley — 2024 — WHED191157807

The Bamiyan Buddhas, once confined to Afghanistan's Bamiyan Valley, have become mobile global symbols following their destruction. This study reveals how one such Buddha was reconstructed at Wat Saket in Bangkok, serving as a placeholder for the lost originals while embodying transnational histories of reproduction, material shifts, and iconographic decisions. The research situates this reconstruction within Thailand's evolving engagement with Buddha imagery, examining its role in curatorial visions, ritual practices, and leisure. By analyzing stylistic choices—such as scale, media, and iconography—the study highlights the Buddha's function as a dynamic site of retinal and haptic experience, challenging distinctions between pedagogy, aesthetics, and ritual. The findings underscore how these Buddhas circulate globally through collecting, exhibitions, gifts, and piety, reflecting broader cultural and material transformations.

Bảo tồn, phát huy giá trị các di sản văn hóa thế giới trong phát triển du lịch trên địa bàn tỉnh Quảng Nam

My Son Sanctuary — 2024 — WHE23AFF9F170

Quảng Nam's cultural heritage, including the UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Ancient Town, has significantly boosted tourism but faces severe degradation due to harsh natural conditions and human activities. This study highlights the urgent need for conservation strategies that balance heritage preservation with sustainable tourism development. It emphasizes the role of these sites in fostering national identity, economic growth, job creation, and social stability while addressing challenges like environmental stress and improper human behavior. The research underscores the importance of integrating cultural heritage into long-term development plans to ensure its protection and utilization for future generations.

Baroque of Saint Sophia Cathedral as a representation of National Identity

Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — 2024 — WHE9F7B503059

The Baroque mural ensemble of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv serves as a powerful representation of Ukrainian national identity, blending Eastern Christian tradition with cultural symbolism. The study reveals that the cathedral's 18th-century murals, particularly the image of 'Sophia — Mary — Church,' maintain continuity with earlier Old Ruthenian designs while emphasizing a distinct 'Ukrainian Baroque' aesthetic in contrast to Russian Classicism. Through an interdisciplinary analysis, the research demonstrates how the sacred space (hierotopia) of St. Sophia transforms liturgical experience into a 'living icon,' reinforcing its role as a marker of Ukrainian heritage and identity.

Barriers and Obstacles to International Travel

Tongariro National Park — 2024 — WHE21D0816615

New Zealand's Tongariro National Park stands out as a model for sustainable tourism, demonstrating how destinations can balance environmental conservation with visitor experience. The study highlights the pandemic's role in exacerbating travel barriers, including visa requirements and airline policies, while proposing corrective measures like the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights. By analyzing these challenges, the research underscores New Zealand's leadership in sustainable practices, positioning Tongariro as an 'ideal' destination committed to long-term ecological preservation.

BASE (Barberton Archean Surface Environments) – drilling Paleoarchean coastal strata of the Barberton Greenstone Belt

Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains — 2024 — WHE589B8EEBDA

The BASE (Barberton Archean Surface Environments) drilling project successfully recovered an unweathered, continuous core from the Paleoarchean Moodies Group in South Africa's Barberton Greenstone Belt, providing a high-resolution record of Earth's surface conditions around 3.2 billion years ago. The project, which drilled eight inclined boreholes totaling 2903 meters, revealed unexpected oxidative weathering depths, intense fracturing, and thicker banded-iron formations (BIFs) than anticipated. These findings offer unprecedented insights into early Earth's coastal environments, including alluvial, fluvial, tidal, and prodeltaic settings, preserved in sedimentary strata such as conglomerates, sandstones, siltstones, shales, and rare BIFs. The project also included extensive sampling of mine adits and a water tunnel, along with downhole geophysical logging and public engagement initiatives tied to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Baseline health parameters of rhinoceros auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) using serum protein electrophoresis, acute phase proteins, and biochemistry

SGang Gwaay — 2024 — WHE3F515BA9CA

Approximately half (48%) of wild, apparently healthy rhinoceros auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) sampled across the North Pacific were seropositive for influenza A virus, with prevalence peaking at 75% in 2014. This study establishes baseline clinical health reference intervals for serum protein electrophoresis, acute phase proteins (serum amyloid A and haptoglobin), and biochemistry parameters in this key sentinel seabird species, using data from 178 breeding adults captured between 2013 and 2019 at five colonies. The findings provide critical metrics to inform marine ecosystem monitoring, wildlife rehabilitation, and conservation efforts in the Pacific Northwest. Researchers employed established guidelines from the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology to analyze health parameters, offering insights into inflammatory responses, nutritional status, and organ function.

Bauhaus School, Dessau, 1927

Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau — 2024 — WHE1C905F9B2B

The Bauhaus School, established by architect Walter Gropius and relocated to Dessau in 1925, stands as a foundational project of the Modern Movement. By 1927, its first campus building, designed by Gropius himself, embodied the school's revolutionary ethos: the integration of art, architecture, and design through mass production while addressing social needs. This approach challenged traditional boundaries between disciplines, advocating for functional aesthetics that would influence global modernist design. The Dessau site, with its innovative use of materials and spatial organization, exemplifies how Bauhaus principles merged artistic innovation with practical functionality, setting a precedent for 20th-century architecture.

Before Adam and Eve

Tsodilo — 2024 — WHE35F21813A9

Archaeological and linguistic evidence reveals a widespread concept of a supreme being among early African societies, particularly in regions where Niger-Congo languages were spoken. The study focuses on Paleolithic and Neolithic religious practices, analyzing burial sites, ocher use, and ritual sites like the Tsodilo Hills in Botswana. Rock art from these periods suggests the existence of cattle and ram cults in the Sahara, as well as a Nile Valley falcon cult that may have played a role in Egypt's unification. The research relies on archaeological data and historical linguistics due to the lack of written sources before the late fourth millennium BCE.

Behind the Glass: The Villa Tugendhat and Its Family by Michael Lambek (review)

Tugendhat Villa in Brno — 2024 — WHE73FC1BE6CF

Michael Lambek's 'Behind the Glass: The Villa Tugendhat and Its Family' offers a profound meditation on family, memory, and historical legacy through the lens of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tugendhat Villa in Brno. Unlike conventional accounts that focus solely on the villa's architectural or historical significance, Lambek foregrounds the lives, struggles, and relationships of the Tugendhat family, weaving together memoir, ethnography, and social history to explore themes of identity, kinship, and generational reproduction. The study adopts a multifaceted approach, blending personal narratives with official records, photographs, and philosophical reflections, providing a nuanced perspective on how families navigate legal, financial, and cultural shifts across generations. Lambek's work also critically examines his own relationship to the family's intellectual legacy, challenging idealizations and offering a complex, respectful portrayal of their experiences.

Between a rock and a hard place: Gazing upon Uluru

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park — 2024 — WHE1259210A4D

A pivotal shift in tourism at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, marked by the closure of the Uluru climb, reflects broader societal changes towards respecting Aboriginal perspectives. Research analyzing tourist responses on TripAdvisor reveals enduring tensions in perceptions and behaviors surrounding this contested site. The study highlights how the climb ban, while contentious, signifies a move away from exploitative tourism practices, emphasizing cultural sensitivity in decision-making. This netnographic analysis underscores the dynamic interplay between tourist expectations and Indigenous significance, offering insights into the evolving nature of heritage tourism.

Between Maroon Tradition and State Law in Jamaica: A Case Study of Challenges to Environmental Governance in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Blue and John Crow Mountains — 2024 — WHECE7DE8FC5F

Effective environmental governance in UNESCO World Heritage Sites requires integrating state laws with Indigenous cultural and legal pluralism, particularly where ethnic diversity and historical legacies shape conservation efforts. This study highlights the potential of collaborative frameworks that align conservation objectives with Maroon community aspirations and traditional practices in Jamaica's Blue and John Crow Mountains (BJCMs). By emphasizing mutual trust and knowledge exchange between state authorities and local communities, such an approach can empower Indigenous groups to protect their ecosystems while respecting their legal autonomy. The research underscores the need for regulatory frameworks that complement, rather than undermine, traditional governance structures, offering a culturally informed strategy to address environmental threats without eroding social cohesion.

Between Palermo and Cefalú: The Role of the First Norman Monastic Foundations in the (Re)Christianization of the Island’s Rural Population in the Light of Archaeological Research in the Altavilla Milicia Region

Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale — 2024 — WHE0D012F3AE6

Archaeological research at the monastery of Santa Maria di Campogrosso in Sicily reveals that the Christianization process under Norman rule was more rapid and extensive than previously thought. Isotopic and radiocarbon analyses of skeletal remains indicate that early burials, likely from the late 11th or early 12th century, originated outside Sicily, while later graves contained locals. This suggests a shift towards Latin Christianity, supported by architectural styles and coin evidence linked to French and northern Italian territories. The study, part of a broader research program on Norman cultural influence in medieval Europe, challenges traditional historical narratives about the pace of religious transformation.

Between the Square and the Pentagram: Some Reflections on the Music and Architecture of the Old Ouro Preto

Historic Town of Ouro Preto — 2024 — WHE4BFFAA0C28

Ouro Preto's cultural heritage emerges from the interplay between its architecture and music, creating a unique legacy that reflects both national history and artistic evolution. The study reveals how the town's architectural transformations, marked by colonial Baroque and Rococo styles, paralleled the development of local musical practices during the 18th century. While the stylistic directions diverged, their complementary relationship fostered a distinct cultural identity preserved today. This interplay highlights the significance of Ouro Preto as a site where architecture and music coalesced to shape national society and history.

Between Transcendental and National: Wooden Churches of Slovakia

Wooden Churches of the Slovak part of the Carpathian Mountain Area — 2024 — WHEA732161D3B

Wooden churches in Slovakia's Carpathian Mountain region serve as enduring symbols of both transcendental worship and national resistance, embodying a holistic tapestry of ecological, historical, and cultural significance. These structures, dating from the 18th century, have withstood political upheavals including Austro-Hungarian rule, Nazi occupation, and Socialist suppression, while retaining their aesthetic and spiritual value. The study contrasts traditional typological analysis with phenomenological approaches to reveal deeper meanings rooted in lived experience, highlighting how these churches integrate seamlessly with their landscapes and communities. This dual perspective affirms their cultural importance, appealing to both worshipers and tourists as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Beyond Inca roads: the Redes Andinas project explores complex palimpsests of Andean road networks

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System — 2024 — WHE48A6EF95BE

Ancient Andean road networks exhibit remarkable complexity and resilience, extending far beyond the iconic Inca roads system. The Redes Andinas project reveals that these networks evolved dynamically over the past millennium along a vertical transect at 18°S, forming intricate 'palimpsests' of overlapping routes adapted to environmental and socio-political changes. Using a multiscale methodological approach, researchers characterized the transformation patterns, challenging assumptions about the dominance of Inca infrastructure in Andean transportation history.

Beyond Service Excellence: Exploring Brand Image as the Bridge between Service Quality and Customer Loyalty in Nature Tourist Camps

Wadi Rum Protected Area — 2024 — WHEF29B93832F

Research reveals that brand image acts as a critical mediator between service quality and customer loyalty in nature tourist camps, significantly influencing repeat visitation. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study analyzed data from tourists staying at Wadi Rum Protected Area in Jordan, demonstrating how positive brand perception strengthens the link between service excellence—measured by dimensions like tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy—and long-term customer loyalty. This finding underscores the strategic importance of brand image in outdoor hospitality, particularly as the sector experiences rapid growth.

Beyond the River, Under the Eye of Rome

Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia — 2024 — WHE0E3E3575CA

Roman perceptions of Danubian peoples, particularly the Sarmatians, were distorted by ethnic and ecological stereotypes that undermined imperial frontier management, leading to mismanagement of border wars and migrant crises from the 1st to 5th centuries CE. These misconceptions, reinforced by Rome's military and economic power, shaped social structures and group identities in the region, with lasting consequences for later interactions with Goths and Huns. The study draws on textual, inscriptional, and archaeological evidence to reveal how these stereotypes influenced critical political and military events, including Trajan’s Dacian campaign and the Marcomannic Wars.

Bikini Atoll, Nevada, Moscow. Washington’s Long Road to the Partial Test Ban Treaty (1958–1963)

Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site — 2024 — WHE9B140707C5

The 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty (Moscow Treaty) marked a pivotal moment in Cold War history by banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. This study reveals that the treaty's negotiation was deeply intertwined with political tensions between the USSR and the US, particularly concerning Berlin's status, and was a direct response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, which heightened the risk of nuclear conflict. Despite earlier moratoriums (1958–1961) failing to reduce environmental harm or conflict risks, both superpowers had achieved strategic deterrence through extensive testing by 1962, enabling them to proceed with the treaty. The study highlights how scientific advancements and political pressures culminated in this landmark agreement, setting a precedent for future nuclear nonproliferation efforts.

Biodiversity, Ecomusicology and Fostered Nominal Ecology

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove — 2024 — WHE56E990009B

Africa's indigenous systems, such as Nigeria's Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, offer viable solutions for biodiversity conservation and climate action. This grove, rich in flora and fauna diversity, has been preserved through spiritual and physical beliefs, including the use of music during festivals to promote eco-friendly habits. The study proposes that these traditional practices can contribute significantly to achieving sustainable development goals by fostering inclusive climate activity, conservationism, and artificial cultivation of biodiversity for climate change adaptation and resilience.

Biofilms from the Kapova Cave Walls as a Source of Hydrolase Producers

Rock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave — 2024 — WHE607F67EBE3

Researchers have discovered that bacterial biofilms from the walls of Kapova Cave, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shulgan-Tash Nature Reserve, harbor strains with significant potential for producing extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. The study identified that 89% of the isolates belonged to Proteobacteria, with notable producers of protease, RNase, and amylase being Stenotropomonas rhizophila, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, and Pseudomonas stutzeri, respectively. This finding highlights the biochemical diversity and potential biotechnological applications of microorganisms from extreme environments like karst caves.