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Showing 881 – 900 of 15962 publications

Preserving Mughal Heritage: A Historical Analysis of Humayun's Tomb Conservation

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi — 2026 — WHE7ECB807692

Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first grand dynastic mausoleum on the Indian Subcontinent, exemplifies Mughal architectural style. This study reveals that its conservation history is marked by phases of imperial patronage, decline during colonial rule, and adaptive reuse, with significant threats from urban encroachment and material degradation. Key findings highlight the tomb's symbolic evolution—from a symbol of Mughal authority to a site of colonial leisure—and the complexities of balancing authenticity with historical layers in preservation efforts. The research employs archival records, including traveler accounts like William Finch's 1611 account and official ASI documents, alongside data from UNESCO and AKTC projects. It advocates for integrated urban renewal to address contemporary threats, emphasizing context-driven conservation rooted in both international charters and Indian traditions.

Primer registro de Psammocora cf. stellata (Scleractinia: Psammocoridae)en el Santuario de Fauna y Flora Malpelo, Pacífico colombiano

Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary — 2026 — WHE89830DD4AA

Researchers document the first record of the coral genus Psammocora in the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site off Colombia's Pacific coast. The discovery, identified as Psammocora cf. stellata, was made during a scientific dive at 22 meters depth near 'Cueva del Francés' on July 5, 2025. The identification relied on morphological features—nodular colony growth and distinct star-shaped corallites—observed in photographs, aligning closely with Psammocora stellata but lacking physical samples for confirmation. This finding expands the known coral diversity of Malpelo, contributing to the inventory of scleractinian corals in the Colombian Pacific. The study highlights the sanctuary's ecological significance and underscores the importance of visual documentation in marine biodiversity research.

Prioritizing Muslim-Friendly Tourism Factors in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago — 2026 — WHE0BC59964D6

A groundbreaking study identifies halal infrastructure and human resource development as the top priorities for transforming Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, into a Muslim-friendly tourism destination. Using a hybrid fuzzy analytic hierarchy process-ViseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (multi-criteria optimization) framework, the research synthesized insights from 35 experts to create a quantifiable roadmap for heritage managers. The findings reveal that intangible capabilities, such as cultural intelligence, provide a more sustainable competitive advantage than replicable assets in niche markets with high cultural distance. This capability-driven approach offers a strategic solution for balancing market diversification and site integrity while successfully engaging the global Islamic travel market.

Project Phi Grid — Archaeological Extension v1.1: Monte Carlo test of dual-anchor φ-ratio grid node association with UNESCO World Heritage Sites and sensitivity analysis

Arslantepe Mound — 2026 — WHEBBFFD50C17

A groundbreaking analysis identifies six statistically significant associations between UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a dual-anchor grid system, with one of the strongest signals (p = 0.0056) observed at a 200 km threshold. The study, an extension of Project Phi Grid, applies a Monte Carlo test to 87 cultural and archaeological sites using two anchor points: Wilkes Land (Antarctica) and the Hiawatha impact crater (Greenland). Sensitivity analysis reveals consistent results between 100–300 km, peaking at 150 km (p = 0.0001), while land-only nodes further confirm the signal with p = 0.0018. Notably, Göbekli Tepe exhibits a triple alignment against both anchors, marking it as 'HIGH INTEREST,' and Arslantepe Mound is confirmed as an additional hit at 125.6 km from Wilkes P13 n+1. All parameters were pre-specified to ensure robustness.

Projections of 21st-century glacier change in Alaska’s national parks calibrated against spatially distributed elevation change observations

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2026 — WHE42AF469D69

Alaska's national parks, including Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek, face significant glacier mass loss by the end of the century, with projections ranging from 28% to 99% depending on the subregion and emissions scenario. This study introduces a novel Bayesian inference framework that calibrates the Python Glacier Evolution Model (PyGEM) against spatially distributed surface elevation change data, reducing parameter uncertainty by 5–18% and lowering mean absolute error in hindcast surface elevation change by 0.18 m per year. Using airborne laser altimetry records from 1994 to 2021 for 185 glaciers—representing over half of the region’s glacier area—the model estimates mass loss between 43% and 67%, with substantial variability across subregions such as Lake Clark, Denali, Kenai Fjords, Glacier Bay, and Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve. This framework offers a flexible approach to refine projections as additional elevation change datasets become available.

Proposal of indicator-based dashboard for identifying value components and impacts generated by preventive and planned conservation processes. The system of maisons de plaisance within the Residences of Royal House of Savoy

Residences of the Royal House of Savoy — 2026 — WHEE118BD0E4A

A novel indicator-based dashboard is proposed to assess the value components and impacts of preventive and planned conservation strategies for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, specifically focusing on the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. This tool systematically evaluates heterogeneous impacts—including economic, environmental, cultural, and social dimensions—at multiple scales, providing a preliminary yet comprehensive framework for measuring potential benefits and return on investment. The study highlights the importance of participatory governance models, which actively engage beneficiaries, local communities, and Third Sector institutions in decision-making processes, ensuring long-term sustainability. By integrating qualitative and quantitative indicators, this approach aligns with emerging regulatory frameworks that emphasize non-financial metrics alongside traditional economic valuations.

Protest as Deliberation? Digital Mobilisation, Pressure-Group Politics and the Deliberative Public Sphere: The Case of the CJP

The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur — 2026 — WHE9E7D2F6FC1

A satirical youth movement, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), originated online in May 2026 and rapidly evolved into a sustained offline protest campaign at India's Jantar Mantar, challenging traditional notions of protest and deliberation in democratic practice. The CJP demonstrated that such movements can function simultaneously as discursive arenas for public reasoning and emerging pressure-group actors seeking policy responses from authorities. Drawing on secondary reportage, official statements, and movement documents up to June 2026, the study situates the case within theories of the public sphere, connective action, agenda-setting, and pressure-group politics. While the movement did not achieve a definitive institutional outcome during this period, it highlighted specific contributions to participation, agenda-setting, and government responsiveness.

Provenance of the Basalt Blocks from the Edict of Anastasius at Qasr al-Hallabat (Jordan): Archaeometry Application of Petrological Techniques and Archaeological Implications

Umm Al-Jimāl — 2026 — WHED1978D8667

A comprehensive petrological analysis confirms that the basalt blocks bearing fragments of the Anastasius Edict, reused at Qasr al-Hallabat in Jordan, originated from quarries near Umm el-Jimal. Using advanced techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), researchers compared samples from Qasr al-Hallabat with those from Umm el-Jimal's buildings and quarries, supporting the hypothesis that these blocks were transported approximately 20 km. This finding sheds light on the logistics of Roman defense reorganization in the 5th century CE and the reuse of materials in later constructions during the 6th century.

Proximity to the Prophet Muhammad in Fifteenth-Century Samarkand

Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures — 2026 — WHE20448FA9F4

Fifteenth-century Samarkand saw the emergence of a nuanced understanding of 'sayyid' and 'sharif' status, where genealogical claims of descent from or proximity to the Prophet Muhammad were strategically used to legitimize sacred figures. This study compares two texts—an anonymous shrine visitation guide (Qandiyya-yi Khurd) and a scholarly work (Muhammad Parsa's Fasl al-Khitab)—to reveal how such claims expanded beyond traditional Sufi lineages, reflecting broader religious and political dynamics of the late medieval period. The research demonstrates that popular and scholarly narratives converged to validate the sacred status of two early Islamic-era saints, Qutham ibn ‘Abbas and ‘Abdi Darun, offering new insights into the cultural and political landscape of Samarkand during this era.

Psychological Healing through Sensory Perception in Water- and Culture-Centred Spatial Systems of Northern Chinese Gardens

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2026 — WHE507F14F2CD

Northern Chinese gardens, particularly the Beijing Imperial Gardens like the Summer Palace, facilitate psychological healing through a structured sequence involving spatial design, sensory perception, and cultural memory. The study reveals that these gardens guide the body's movement, shift sensory focus, and evoke emotional meaning through cultural associations, contrasting with Western approaches to healing environments. Research methods included interviews, field observations, and analysis of water and landforms, extending insights into fengshui, atmospheric effects, and habitual behavior in hutong courtyards.

Psychophysical evaluation of celebrity cultural heritage landscapes: scenic beauty and semantic perception at Zhang Daqian’s sites on Mount Qingcheng

Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System — 2026 — WHE253083E985

A dual-layer structure underpins public perception of heritage landscapes at Mount Qingcheng: natural topography serves as the perceptual foundation, while cultural imprints form the semantic core. This study quantifies how scenic beauty and semantic meaning interact in celebrity cultural heritage spaces using a psychophysical framework combining Scenic Beauty Estimation (SBE) and Semantic Differential (SD) methods. Analyzing 17 built-environment samples from Zhang Daqian’s sites, researchers found that monuments and material remains rely heavily on explicit symbolic cues to evoke meaningful responses. Sense of Cultural Accumulation and Sense of Place Identity emerged as primary perceptual drivers, explaining 92.1% of the variance in landscape perception. The findings provide a replicable model for enhancing heritage landscape legibility and place identity, offering evidence-based strategies for cultural heritage planning.

Public Bath Landscapes and Urban Water Practices: From Central Spa Settlements to Embedded Hammam Structures

The Great Spa Towns of Europe — 2026 — WHE705829855B

European spa towns and Ottoman hammams differ fundamentally in their spatial organization, architectural typology, social accessibility, and cultural meaning, challenging the settlement-based model of bathing heritage. While European spa settlements are planned around health-oriented leisure practices with centralized structures, hammams in Ottoman cities are distributed and embedded within neighborhoods, külliye complexes, and waqf systems, reflecting a more integrated approach to urban life. This comparative study, using morphological analysis, historical mapping, and critical reading of UNESCO nomination frameworks, highlights the need for plural, context-sensitive interpretative frameworks in heritage studies that move beyond settlement-based approaches. It underscores how bathing traditions shape environmental relationships between built form, resource use, and everyday health routines.

Puente de la Historia, San Juan del Rio, Mexico From colonial bridge to heritage park

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro — 2026 — WHE912C67C891

A new framework for heritage-informed conservation of the Puente de la Historia, a 18th-century masonry bridge on Mexico's Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (CRTA), integrates archival research, condition surveys, material testing, hydrological risk assessment, and numerical structural modeling. This approach aims to ensure the bridge's safety, reliability, and authenticity while accommodating modern pedestrian use. The study highlights the critical need for technical documentation of such heritage structures, which is often lacking despite their cultural significance.

Pygocephalid pancrustaceans from the late Carboniferous of Nova Scotia, Canada, with comments on the cuticular microstructures of Pygocephalamorpha

Joggins Fossil Cliffs — 2026 — WHED8B8263F19

Research at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nova Scotia, has confirmed the presence of three pygocephalomorph species—Pygocephalus cooperi, Pygocephalus cf. cooperi, and Pygocephalus dubius—from the late Carboniferous period. These pancrustaceans, resembling modern shrimp or lobsters, were likely benthic walkers based on leg morphology and paleoichnological evidence. The study also identified three distinct cuticular microstructures on P. dubius: canal-like pores (likely organule canals), setal attachment sites, and polygonal reticular ornamentation. Comparative analysis of Joggins assemblages with Mississippian faunas suggests a significant faunal turnover, potentially linked to paleoenvironmental changes in Atlantic Canada during the Carboniferous. This research provides new insights into the ecological diversity and evolutionary history of these ancient pancrustaceans.

Qatar in the Ottoman and British Strategies in the Arabian Gulf (1305–1331 AH/1888–1913 CE): A Historical Study in the Light of Ottoman Documents

Al Zubarah Archaeological Site — 2026 — WHE7AB268A65B

The 1913 Convention marked the first formal recognition of Qatar as a distinct political entity under the Al-Thani family, reshaping its sovereignty amid rivalry between the Ottoman Empire and Britain. This study reveals how Qatar became a strategic battleground, with Ottomans consolidating control through administrative and legal measures while Britain sought dominance via settlement projects in al-Zubarah and al-`Udayd to secure routes to India. Ottoman documents highlight this as a pivotal moment, transitioning Qatar from contested territory to an independent entity within broader geopolitical struggles between Islam and Western colonialism.

Quantifying authenticity in historic districts: an integrated framework of morphological indicators and social perception based on Scenes Theory

Historic Centre of Kraków — 2026 — WHE8BC9AABF20

Excessive commercialization undermines the authenticity of historic districts, while moderate commercial activity can enhance perceived authenticity. This study applies Scenes Theory to quantify how facility configuration and activity types influence authenticity in Kraków’s Old Town and Kazimierz District. By integrating morphological indicators (Morpho system) with social perception data via OLS regression, researchers identified cultural facilities and interactive activities as key drivers of local, state, and ethnic authenticity. Residential functions also positively contribute to rational authenticity. The findings suggest Scenes Theory can serve as a spatial heritage management tool, bridging objective analysis and subjective experience. Additionally, authentic environments may foster youth cultural identity and place attachment.

Quantifying changes in annual lichen volume for woodland caribou in Newfoundland using Landsat time series

Gros Morne National Park — 2026 — WHE48EFAC1790

Lichen volume, crucial for the survival of threatened Newfoundland woodland caribou, has been quantified for the first time using long-term satellite data. The study reveals that while lichen biomass is generally low across both Gros Morne National Park and Gaff Topsails, coniferous forests host the highest volumes. Notably, Gros Morne shows faster lichen recovery compared to the more disturbed Gaff Topsails, suggesting protective measures may aid caribou habitat restoration. The research used vegetation-specific models combining Landsat imagery (1984–2022) with field data from 66 plots, achieving high accuracy (R² = 0.77). These findings provide critical insights for guiding conservation strategies to support caribou recovery in Newfoundland.

Quantifying the changes and driving factors of thermokarst hazards in the Hoh Xil region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Qinghai Hoh Xil — 2026 — WHE63CEBD140B

A marked increase in thermokarst hazards, including thermokarst lakes (TLs) and retrogressive thaw slumps (RTS), has been quantified in the fragile alpine ecosystem of Qinghai Hoh Xil. These changes are driven by complex interactions between precipitation, mean annual ground temperature (MAGT), ice content, clay content, soil moisture, thaw index change rate, and precipitation change rate. GeoDetector models revealed that no single factor dominates the spatial pattern of these hazards at the regional scale, highlighting intricate feedbacks between climate warming and permafrost degradation. This study offers critical insights into predicting future impacts on carbon cycling and infrastructure in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.

Quantifying the Trajectory of Social Complexity at the Xia–Shang Transition: A Quantitative Archaeological Study of the Erlitou and Yinxu Sites

Yin Xu — 2026 — WHEF5AA0CD926

A quantitative analysis of ceramic assemblages, jade distributions, spatial layouts, and handicraft production at the Erlitou and Yinxu sites reveals a trajectory of increasing social complexity from the late Xia to the late Shang periods. The study demonstrates that rank differentiation was progressively reinforced through institutionalized ritual-vessel assemblages, while spatial control shifted from physical segregation to functional zoning. Handicraft production became more specialized and concentrated, indicating a transformation in early state power—from sacral monopoly to institutionalized stratification. These findings provide empirical evidence for understanding the internal dynamics of early Chinese civilization during the Xia–Shang transition.

Quantitative Assessment of Sandstone Weathering Based on Multi-Data Combination of Nondestructive Testing in the Yungang Grottoes, China

Yungang Grottoes — 2026 — WHE1EF947029B

A quantitative assessment of sandstone weathering at the Yungang Grottoes reveals significant variations in degradation patterns between two walls of Cave 10. Using nondestructive testing techniques—ultrasonic pulse velocity, Leeb hardness, X-ray fluorescence, and microscopic imaging—the study identified more severe weathering on the north wall of the Chanting Corridor compared to the west wall of the Front Chamber. Differences in sulfur and calcium content were attributed to distinct microenvironmental conditions. The findings provide a scientific basis for targeted conservation strategies, emphasizing the need for adaptive approaches to preserve this culturally significant site.