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The Bisotun–Madharan route: the reconstruction of a lost communication route in the southern part of the Bisotun–Sahneh plain

Bisotun — 2026 — WHE6A79CA7D1F

A significant historical communication route connecting Kermanshah, Bisotun, Madharan, Kangavar, and Nahavand was reconstructed through a comprehensive analysis of Islamic geographical texts, primarily from the 9th and 10th centuries, alongside archaeological evidence. The study identifies seven historical toponyms along the southern bank of the Gamasiab River in the Bisotun–Sahneh plain, shedding light on its importance during the early Islamic period, particularly due to extensive Sassanid construction projects, including roads, bridges, palaces, and mansions developed by later kings like Khosrow II. This research marks the first detailed investigation of this route, integrating textual, archaeological, topographical, and geographical data to localize key historical landmarks.

The Capital City

Fortress of Suomenlinna — 2026 — WHEF2BD70BA56

The strategic shift of Finland's administrative capital from Turku to Helsinki in 1812, following the Russo-Swedish War, was pivotal in shaping Helsinki's development and its role in Finnish national identity formation. This transition, driven by Russian Tsar Alexander I, leveraged Helsinki's proximity to St. Petersburg and the defensive strength of the Fortress of Suomenlinna (formerly Sveaborg), which served as a naval base protecting Russia from Western threats. The subsequent neoclassical urban renewal attracted Russian-speaking merchants and, with the relocation of the university in 1828, positioned Helsinki as a cultural and intellectual hub. This study highlights how geopolitical decisions and architectural transformations coalesced to define Helsinki's identity and its enduring significance as a center of Finnish national consciousness.

The Chain Effect of B&B Cluster Driving Tourism Income Increment in Heritage Sites: Economic Multiplier Simulation of LoRa Sensor Network and System Dynamics

Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun — 2026 — WHEB61265A0DF

Researchers have identified a critical inflection point for home stay cluster density that maximizes tourism revenue while minimizing the decay of heritage integrity, addressing a core challenge in balancing economic development and ecological protection at UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This discovery was achieved through a three-in-one technical framework combining LoRa sensor networks, system dynamics modeling, and nonlinear threshold analysis. The study demonstrated that dynamic regulation mechanisms, enabled by high-precision monitoring of tourist behavior (with 1.37–2.68 m accuracy) and consumption trajectories, can significantly boost tourism revenue—doubling local industrial chain added value—and increase return visit rates by over 50%. Empirical validation in the ancient villages of Xidi and Hongcun supports the broader applicability of this approach to karst heritage sites with similar cluster characteristics.

The Challenge of Renewing Djerba as a Destination in the Age of Sustainable Development and Digital Technology

Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory — 2026 — WHE482B25EE6A

Djerba's tourism system, traditionally characterized by mass beach tourism concentrated in its eastern coastal area, faces significant challenges in renewing its image amid the demands of sustainable development and digital technology. The study reveals that while Djerba is rich in heritage assets, its tourism product has shown limited resilience to crises, leading to the permanent closure of several hotels—a sign of the end of a tourism cycle. To address this, local stakeholders are diversifying offerings and leveraging mobile applications (m-tourism) to promote cultural assets, aiming for more localized and sustainable tourism experiences. The research employs field observations, interviews, official statistics, and webgraphic analysis, comparing findings with theoretical frameworks to explore how Djerba can transition from its mass tourism roots to a more sustainable and digitally integrated model.

The Chavin-Nazca Hub

Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa — 2026 — WHE8831EE9A7C

A groundbreaking analysis of the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa challenges the traditional isolationist narrative of Pre-Columbian American development, revealing a sophisticated Eurasian-led industrial-logistical system dating back to 1000 BCE. Genetic evidence from elite remains in Paracas and Chavín indicates approximately 50 individuals with non-indigenous haplogroups, suggesting a specialized administrative mission rather than mass migration. These individuals were interred with standardized jade rods and pyrite mirrors, hinting at advanced technological transfer. The study further identifies industrial-scale storage systems in Teotihuacan, featuring tactile coding for inventory management and hydrothermal insulation, while the Nazca-Palpa complex served as a vertically integrated meat-processing plant with artificial voids providing stable cold storage conditions. This research redefines our understanding of Pre-Columbian technological exchange and logistical organization.

The Claustra Alpium Iuliarum System: Surveillance and Defence of the Empire in Late Antiquity

Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia — 2026 — WHE83E6B5D8FB

Recent archaeological research has significantly advanced understanding of the Claustra Alpium Iuliarum, a vast and complex Late Antique defensive system spanning 130 km across Croatia and Slovenia. This system, leveraging natural geomorphology to control key passages between Illyricum and northeast Italy, was found to effectively direct traffic towards major controlled routes such as Tarsatica (Rijeka)—Tergeste (Trieste)—Aquileia, Emona (Ljubljana)—Tergeste, and Emona—Aquileia. The study employed a combination of non-destructive documentation methods and traditional archaeology to navigate the system's large area and dense vegetation, revealing intricate details about its organization and function.

The Concept of Sustainability in Indus Valley Civilization : A Study of Ancient Urbanization and Town Planning

Dholavira: a Harappan City — 2026 — WHE441659E0EB

The Indus Valley Civilization, thriving between 2600 and 1900 BCE, demonstrated advanced sustainable urban planning akin to modern practices. Key settlements like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, and Lothal exhibited meticulous town planning with sophisticated water management systems, drainage, sanitation, and agricultural practices that harmonized human needs with environmental constraints. Notably, Dholavira featured large water reservoirs, while Lothal showcased maritime trade integration. The civilization's uniform construction techniques and sustainable agriculture underscore its innovative approach to urbanization. This study highlights the potential of ancient planning practices to inform contemporary urban development strategies.

The Conservation of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara with Community Involvement

Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara — 2026 — WHE588AD76C33

Community-led conservation models have proven effective at the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, offering valuable lessons for preserving Swahili architectural heritage. These sites, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981, reflect medieval Indian Ocean trade prosperity and Islamic cultural interactions. Despite limitations in formal conservation frameworks, local perspectives have enhanced authenticity, empowering communities to embrace their living heritage. The study highlights the importance of integrating traditional knowledge into conservation strategies, ensuring sustainable preservation while promoting community ownership.

The conservation of living cultural heritage toward World Heritage inscription: a case study of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Thailand

Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat — 2026 — WHEEFC6BB99F4

A novel pre-nomination readiness assessment framework for living cultural heritage properties reveals Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, as highly prepared for World Heritage inscription. The study, integrating eight key dimensions—living heritage, Outstanding Universal Value, authenticity, integrity, people-centred conservation, governance and management, Historic Urban Landscape, and sustainability—demonstrates the site's strengths in continuous religious use, ritual transmission, contextual authenticity, and community participation, while identifying critical gaps in buffer-zone protection, integrated governance, urban development control, tourism management, intergenerational transmission, and safeguarding of intangible heritage. This approach extends traditional UNESCO-oriented assessments by operationalizing living heritage values before nomination, providing a transferable decision-support framework for similar sites globally.

The Construction of Pedagogies on Femininities: Scenes in Prehistoric Rock Art in Serra da Capivara National Park in São Raimundo Nonato, Piauí, Brazil

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2026 — WHE0CA7E596A8

Prehistoric rock art in Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, reveals nuanced representations of femininity that challenge traditional interpretations. A cultural history approach applied to two key images—one depicting a monogamous sex scene and another potentially representing childbirth or polyandry—highlights the influence of feminist and gender research on understanding these ancient visual narratives. The study suggests that phallic and vulvar imagery, previously interpreted through Western lenses, may reflect complex social dynamics in prehistoric societies.

The Control of Traffic Routes and the Military Response System of Sueocheong in the Southeastern Gyeonggi Region During the Musin Rebellion (1728) : Focusing on Namhansanseong

Namhansanseong — 2026 — WHE3DD100019C

A new analysis reveals that Namhansanseong, traditionally viewed as a royal refuge during the Musin Rebellion (1728), actually functioned as a critical military hub for defending the capital. The study demonstrates how the Sueocheong administration and Namhan Sequmu (South Han River Military Command) implemented multi-layered traffic control measures—including river crossing inspections and ambushes at inland choke points—to suppress rebellion spread. By reconstructing these strategies, researchers show that Namhansanseong served as both a logistical stronghold and a rear command center, challenging prior assumptions about its role. The findings re-evaluate the 18th-century defense system's effectiveness and its broader military and institutional significance.

The Covered Market of Cadouin, France

Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France — 2026 — WHEFD990183DB

Medieval covered markets, often constructed from perishable materials and subject to significant modifications or destruction over time, are rare survivors of their original form. The Halle de Cadouin in France offers a unique example of late-medieval market architecture, providing insights into the role of such structures in medieval trade and commerce. Strategically located along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, the market is associated with the Cistercian abbey of Cadouin, which attracted pilgrims due to its spiritual significance and advanced agricultural practices. The study highlights the Halle de Cadouin's architectural features, including a star-shaped wooden frame anchored with dowels, and its place within the broader context of Aquitaine's covered markets, many of which were established during the Hundred Years' War to stimulate trade and settlement in frontier regions.

The Crossing Point in Stone: The Great Pyramid, the Grammar of the Curve, and the Zero Point as Generative Mechanism

Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur — 2026 — WHE4913605EF2

Researchers propose that the 'crossing point' at the heart of the Great Pyramid of Giza serves as a generative mechanism for zero-point energy, linking sacred geometry with advanced physical phenomena. This study identifies shared proportions encoding mathematical constants (pi and phi) in the pyramid's structure and imaginary conic sections, suggesting a bidirectional flow akin to quantum identities like e^(theta) * e^(-theta) = 1. It connects acoustic analyses of the King's Chamber to plasma cosmology, Riemann zeros, and nuclear energy levels, while tracing this concept through divine feminine traditions and mathematical theories. Four falsifiable predictions are made regarding coherence as a technology for zero-point energy coupling, inviting experimental validation by engineers and physicists.

The Cultural Biography of Wood and Late Joseon Architectural Technology: Focusing on the Changdeokgung Yeonggeon Dogam Uigwe (1834)

Changdeokgung Palace Complex — 2026 — WHE7E60A086BF

A study reveals that the reconstruction of Daejojeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace (1834) was significantly shaped by the physical constraints of timber, demonstrating how natural materials actively influenced architectural design and state logistics. The research shows that the inability to source ideal timber forced the expansion of a nationwide logistical network, ultimately reducing the hall's scale from 45 to 36 bays. This 'cultural biography' of wood highlights its role as an active agent in reshaping royal space, challenging idealized historical records and emphasizing the interplay between material resistance and architectural innovation.

The Cultural Connotations, Value Implications and Pedagogical Applications of the Beijing Central Axis in University-Level International Chinese Language Education

Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital — 2026 — WHE204B738852

The Beijing Central Axis, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2024, emerges as a pivotal cultural and educational resource for international Chinese language education. This study identifies its profound significance in fostering cross-cultural communication and understanding among university-level learners, aligning with China's 'going global' strategy for cultural dissemination. By analyzing the Axis's cultural connotations and value implications through the lens of cross-cultural communication theory, the research provides actionable pedagogical insights to integrate this heritage into language curricula, enhancing both cultural knowledge acquisition and national identity formation.

The death jar: a new mortuary tradition at the Plain of Jars, Lao PDR

Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang – Plain of Jars — 2026 — WHEFE552DAC00

Excavation of a massive stone jar at Site 75 in the Plain of Jars, Laos, reveals it to be part of a collective mortuary tradition involving secondary interments. The discovery of at least 37 disarticulated individuals suggests the jars played a role in a complex funerary sequence, with radiocarbon dating indicating prolonged use between approximately AD 890–1160. This period coincides with increased regional interaction and mobility in Southeast Asia, offering new insights into the cultural and social dynamics of the time.

The decorative treatment of the façades of the ksar of Aït Benhaddou in southern Morocco: material, relief, and light-and-shadow articulation

Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou — 2026 — WHEDD1AEDDAF2

A comparative analysis of three façades in the Ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Morocco, reveals distinct decorative principles governing their organization. The northern façade follows a tripartite division, the western one contrasts smooth surfaces with relief, and the residential façade emphasizes horizontal rhythm. Recurring geometric modules adapt their function based on structural context, while the interplay between ornament, wall material, and natural light—particularly oblique lighting—enhances legibility of niches, recesses, and lattice patterns. Deep elements remain visible under varied conditions, whereas shallow relief is most expressive in angled sunlight. This study innovates by comparing these façades for the first time, offering insights into their decorative system without claiming comprehensiveness.

The Desecration and Reburial Process of Seolleung and Jeongleung during the Imjin War

Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty — 2026 — WHE3C947E1A89

During the Imjin War, royal tombs Seolleung and Jeongleung were desecrated by Japanese forces, posing a severe threat to the legitimacy of the Joseon Dynasty. The study reveals that the Joseon court responded with a strategic reburial process, employing 'byeonrye' (unconventional rituals) to adapt to wartime constraints while preserving royal authority. Despite finding only bone ashes at Seolleung and an unidentified body at Jeongleung, the court meticulously verified the corpse's identity to avoid national humiliation. This process involved diplomatic gestures toward the Ming Dynasty and the execution of perpetrators to restore dignity. The reburial was not merely a restoration but a political act aimed at healing wartime scars and asserting dynastic continuity, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of Joseon royal rituals.

The Development of Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage as an Urban Heritage Tourism Destination in Sawahlunto City, West Sumatra: A TALC Perspective

Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto — 2026 — WHECB06ADD0C0

The Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto, Indonesia, has transitioned into a UNESCO World Heritage tourism destination, progressing through the exploration and involvement stages to the early development phase. This transformation is marked by adaptive reuse of industrial heritage assets, enhanced tourism infrastructure, stronger stakeholder collaboration, and increased promotional efforts. However, challenges such as fluctuating visitor numbers, limited product diversification, reliance on event-based promotion, and fragmented institutional coordination persist. The study, employing a qualitative case study approach with data from in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis, interprets these findings using Butler's Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) framework. It underscores the need for integrated destination management, stakeholder collaboration, and continuous innovation to ensure long-term sustainability and competitiveness of this heritage site.

The Development of Urban Rural Relationship at the Example of the City of Graz Austria

City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg — 2026 — WHEB543C57AB7

A dynamic urban-rural relationship has emerged around Graz, Austria, characterized by growing cooperation and competition between the city and its surrounding municipalities. This study quantifies changes over time using data from 1978, building on Wilhelm Leitner's 'Interaktionsraum Graz' framework. It reveals a strong development of an 'urban region,' where functional linkages based on mobility, infrastructure, and economic exchange have intensified. The findings highlight the potential for sustainable regional development through collaboration while also noting increased competition, particularly in southern Graz. This research underscores the importance of recognizing interdependence between urban and rural areas to achieve balanced growth and preserve natural resources.