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The Jefferson Images at Monticello

Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville — 2026 — WHE373F3D036C

A shifting portrayal of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello reflects evolving national memory, increasingly acknowledging his role as both the author of the Declaration of Independence and an enslaver. This study traces how visitors have encountered multiple 'Jefferson images' since the site opened to tourism in the early 19th century, with interpretations now more prominently addressing slavery and his relationship with Sally Hemmings. The research builds on historian Merrill Peterson's concept of a 'Jefferson image,' analyzing how historical narratives at Monticello have adapted over time to incorporate complex, often contradictory aspects of Jefferson's legacy.

The Kasbah of Essaouira. A fortified naval base on the Atlantic coast of Morocco (18th century)

Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador) — 2026 — WHE5A7E7AF5E5

Essaouira, originally known as Amogdoul or Mogdoul, emerged as a strategically significant fortified naval base on Morocco's Atlantic coast during the 18th century. Its transformation from a Phoenician and Roman dye production site to a planned port city under Alawite Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah in 1765 reflects a blend of Arab-Moroccan Cherifian and European (Vauban, Manueline) military architectural styles. Designed by French engineer Nicolas Théodore Cornut, Essaouira's quadrilateral layout and fortified structures—including walls with bastions, gates, a kasbah, and two cannon batteries—served as both a commercial hub linking Morocco to Europe and a strategic stronghold to suppress the Souss revolt. This study highlights Essaouira's dual role in international trade and military defense during the 18th–19th centuries.

The last Mesozoic brachiopods

Stevns Klint — 2026 — WHEBC54721858

A remarkable discovery of the last Mesozoic brachiopods, dating to the topmost Maastrichtian chalk just below the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary clay at Stevns Klint, Denmark, sheds light on the climax of a specialized fauna that thrived in the Chalk Sea for 34 million years. This rich brachiopod assemblage, comprising 28 micromorphic species and 1967 individuals, represents the highest richness recorded from any Danish section at or near the K–Pg boundary, surpassing even the most benthos-rich parts of the Upper Cretaceous Chalk Group. The sample, derived from a 25 kg bulk chalk residue, showcases an extraordinary diversity and abundance, reflecting the full range of morphological adaptations to life on fine-grained seafloor. This finding underscores the unique macro-habitat of the Chalk Sea and provides critical insights into the evolutionary trajectory of its brachiopod fauna in the lead-up to the cataclysmic boundary event.

The Long Journey of a Bird: From Sangay to the Laboratory

Sangay National Park — 2026 — WHE670A7F8F06

A decade-long effort to collect avian samples from Sangay National Park, Ecuador, has transitioned into a critical phase of pathogen research. The 20 bird species gathered during challenging fieldwork are now being analyzed for avian pathogens, marking a pivotal shift from logistical hurdles to scientific discovery. This study bridges the gap between remote expeditions and laboratory analysis, offering new avenues for understanding disease dynamics in tropical ecosystems. By leveraging advanced techniques, researchers aim to uncover insights that could inform conservation strategies and future fieldwork, while also fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.

The long-term decline of a succulent tree, Aloidendron pillansii, in the hyper-arid Richtersveld region of southern Africa

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape — 2026 — WHE507507A612

Aloidendron pillansii, a Critically Endangered succulent tree in the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape, faces severe population decline due to dual pressures: recent droughts disproportionately kill juveniles, while aging adult cohorts contribute to long-term losses. Between 2012 and 2024, juvenile numbers plummeted by 51%, largely driven by extreme drought (2017–2019) and human disturbance, whereas adult declines accelerated after 1937, reflecting senescence. Range-wide analysis reveals older populations in the north and younger ones in the south, with Cornell's Kop showing intermediate aging. Climate trends since 1979—declining rainfall, longer dry seasons, rising temperatures, and reduced vegetation productivity—threaten recovery. The study combines repeat photography, ecological monitoring, simulation modeling, and climate analysis to demonstrate how climate change and human activity are exacerbating the species' decline.

The long-term hazard cascade of an unprecedented wildfire in a tropical mountain ecosystem

Rwenzori Mountains National Park — 2026 — WHE0C003196B6

A wildfire that burned 31 km² of pristine tropical forest and wetland in Uganda's Rwenzori Mountains National Park in February 2012 triggered a long-term hazard cascade, including ten major floods since then. Two debris floods required large-scale humanitarian responses, while post-fire erosion widened the River Nyamwamba sevenfold, breaching copper-cobalt mine tailings and mobilizing an estimated 744,000 tons of waste into the river. Slow vegetation recovery at high altitudes and feedback loops between hazards have prolonged this high-risk state. The study combines remote sensing, humanitarian records, field surveys, and interviews to highlight the urgent need for understanding emergent tropical mountain fires and their downstream impacts.

The Long‑Term Legacy of the 1693 Val di Noto Earthquake: Emergency Management, Reconstruction, and Institutional Impact

Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily) — 2026 — WHE0F371F7BB3

The 1693 Val di Noto earthquake, the most severe seismic event in Italy's recorded history, reshaped southeastern Sicily but left a complex legacy marked by institutional efficiency and widespread socio-spatial marginalization. While reconstruction efforts achieved remarkable Late Baroque urban renewal and maintained public order, affected populations bore disproportionate social costs, reflecting pre-existing power dynamics and new vulnerabilities. This study reveals that the earthquake did not reset regional history but accelerated existing processes, with ruling classes adapting while marginalized communities faced enduring hardships. Analyzing operational, legislative, administrative, and fiscal mechanisms, the research exposes a stark contrast between effective institutional responses and the abandonment of affected populations, challenging celebratory narratives of post-disaster recovery.

The making and remaking of Calcio Storico Fiorentino , from fascist civic festival to intangible cultural heritage

Historic Centre of Florence — 2026 — WHED9B2DFA8ED

Calcio Storico Fiorentino (CSF), a reenactment of a 16th-century ball game, serves as a dynamic symbol reflecting Florentine identity and political narratives across eras. Originally reinvented in 1930 under fascist rule to consolidate power, it later became a post-war emblem of resistance and self-determination for communists. Today, CSF represents a form of cultural resistance against the commercialization and 'invasion' of Florence's historic center, which has displaced residents to the outskirts. This study, based on long-term archival and ethnographic research, traces the evolution of CSF, highlighting its role in shaping Florentine identity and its contested political significance over time.

The Marquis of Tarifa’s Journey to the Holy Land (1518–1520): Mediterranean Impressions and Sevillian Reflections

Medieval City of Rhodes — 2026 — WHEC666861192

A detailed analysis of the pilgrimage diary of Fadrique Enriquez de Ribera, Marquis of Tarifa, reveals his unique aesthetic preferences and political interests during his journey to Jerusalem between 1518 and 1520. The study highlights that despite being a man of the Renaissance, Don Fadrique's aesthetic tastes remained rooted in medieval values, with minimal reference to classical antiquities or Renaissance innovations. His focus on city fortifications, hospitals, and political structures in urban republics, such as those observed during his travels through Italy and the Eastern Mediterranean, underscores his aristocratic background and knightly status. The diary also sheds light on his interactions with significant religious orders like the Hospitallers of Rhodes and Carthusian monasteries. Post-journey, his reconstruction of the Casa de Pilatos in Seville and the creation of a funerary chapel for his ancestors demonstrate a clear influence of northern Italian Renaissance architecture, marking these as the first such structures in Seville and playing a pivotal role in the development of Spanish Renaissance architecture.

The Mastaba Within: Structural and Geophysical Evidence for a Stepped Internal Core in the Great Pyramid of Khufu

Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur — 2026 — WHE70884EEF31

A stepped internal core construction sequence in the Great Pyramid of Khufu is supported by convergent evidence from architectural precedents, structural constraints, and geophysical surveys. The study identifies a seven-stepped internal core in the Meidum Pyramid as an architectural precedent, while the pyramid's King's Chamber ceiling, granite sarcophagus dimensions, and corbelled masonry of the Grand Gallery impose physical constraints that necessitate an open-top construction phase, naturally provided by a stepped core. Microgravimetric density surveys further reveal non-horizontal internal material boundaries, inconsistent with uniform horizontal coursing. The research proposes a falsifiable prediction for future muon tomographic surveys to validate this hypothesis.

The Mausoleum Complex of Emperor Qin Shihuang

Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor — 2026 — WHE5FD7C73333

Archaeological discoveries at the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang, particularly the Terracotta Army unearthed in 1974, have revolutionized understanding of China's first empire. These findings challenge long-standing historical accounts and preconceptions about Qin-period art, technology, and societal beliefs. Over five decades, multidisciplinary research involving international collaborations has uncovered auxiliary pits and tombs with diverse material remains, prompting a reevaluation of written sources like Sima Qian's Historical Records. The study highlights innovative methods in archaeological survey, excavation, conservation, and research, underscoring their significant impact on Chinese archaeology as a discipline.

The Mausoleum of Khoja Akhmed Yasawi in the Research of the Imperial Period (XIX c.)

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi — 2026 — WHEF46D9BDD5C

Imperial-era research on the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a Central Asian cultural heritage site, reveals how 19th-century studies intertwined scholarly inquiry with colonial objectives. The analysis highlights previously overlooked aspects of historiography, including imperial officials' roles in documenting and preserving the monument through reports, drawings, and travel notes. Using historical-genetic, source-critical, and comparative-historical methods, the study traces evolving research focuses over time, uncovering the intersection of science, authority, and ideology in shaping understandings of this significant monument.

The Mongol Invasion of Bamiyan (1221 CE): Genetic and Historical Perspectives on the Hazara People

Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley — 2026 — WHE640A8D9322

A groundbreaking study challenges the long-held narrative that the Hazara people of Bamiyan, Afghanistan, are descended from Mongols, instead revealing their deep-rooted indigenous origins. Through a combination of historical documentation and modern genetic analysis—including whole-genome sequencing and Y-chromosome haplogroup studies—the research demonstrates that the Mongol invasion of 1221 CE was a destructive military campaign, not a founding population event. Genetic evidence shows that while Mongols contributed to the Hazara gene pool during this period, it represents an admixture layer rather than the foundation of their ancestry. Archaeological findings further confirm that Bamiyan’s destruction under Genghis Khan was part of a brutal siege, leaving no permanent Mongol settlement. The study debunks the politically motivated 'Mongol label' imposed on the Hazara, supported by haplogroup C3 and J2a1 data tracing back to Neolithic farmers of the region.

The Mosquito Fauna of K’Gari (Fraser Island), Australia, the World’s Largest Sand Island

K’gari (Fraser Island) — 2026 — WHEABA68AEFA4

A recent study on K'gari (Fraser Island), the world's largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals a diverse mosquito fauna dominated by freshwater-associated species. The research identified 31 mosquito species across 10 genera, including 10 previously unrecorded on the island, such as Culex gelidus, a known vector for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Using CO2-baited light traps at 28 sites during three surveys in 2024 and 2025, the study found that Culex annulirostris, a major arbovirus vector in Australia, was the most prevalent species, comprising 22% of the total 3,356 mosquitoes collected. Surprisingly, brackish habitat species like Aedes vigilax and Culex sitiens made up less than 5% of the collection, while freshwater species such as Mansonia uniformis and Coquillettidia spp., along with Culiseta arenivaga—a species endemic to K'gari—were abundant. This study highlights the medical importance of K'gari's mosquito fauna and its unique ecological composition.

The Museum Ecosystem: Dimensions of Sustainability and Their Implementation in Abu Dhabi 2025

Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas) — 2026 — WHE1C8ECB93F6

Abu Dhabi's museum ecosystem is positioned as a global leader in sustainability, integrating social, economic, and environmental dimensions to enhance community engagement, drive economic growth, and reduce carbon emissions. The report, part of the CultureSTATS-AD programme, highlights Abu Dhabi's strategic investment in world-class institutions like Louvre Abu Dhabi and UNESCO-listed sites such as the Cultural Sites of Al Ain, which foster global dialogue, preserve Emirati identity, and align with international frameworks like the 2025 UNESCO Framework for Cultural Statistics. By leveraging innovative practices—such as recycling exhibition sets and supporting SMEs—the ecosystem demonstrates how cultural institutions can contribute to sustainable development while addressing climate resilience in extreme weather conditions.

The Mutual Influence of Culture and Music: A Study of Mijikenda Kaya Songs and Society in Kenya

Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests — 2026 — WHE9DC88FC33D

Mijikenda kaya songs serve as a vital link between cultural identity and social cohesion, reinforcing spiritual beliefs, moral values, and communal organization while also adapting to the pressures of urbanization, modernization, and globalization. This study reveals that these songs act as both a preservative of indigenous knowledge and a dynamic element in Mijikenda society, influencing—and being influenced by—cultural transformation. Using ethnomusicological and sociocultural approaches, researchers analyzed oral histories, ritual practices, and contemporary reinterpretations to demonstrate the reciprocal relationship between music and culture. The findings underscore the importance of safeguarding these musical traditions to maintain social peace and continuity in modern Kenyan society.

The Namib Sand Sea

Namib Sand Sea — 2026 — WHEF5183B6B4C

The Namib Sand Sea, located in southwestern Africa, offers critical insights into the formation and evolution of dune systems. This study reveals that dune morphology is influenced by a complex interplay of climatic conditions, sediment characteristics, and geological processes. By analyzing dune forms, sediments, and processes, researchers have developed models that explain the development of sand seas and their rock equivalents. The findings highlight the significance of regional physiographic and climatic settings in shaping these dynamic landscapes.

The Nasca Culture

Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa — 2026 — WHED475F6256C

The Nasca Culture, centered in Peru's Nasca drainage, emerged as the first complex society with roots tracing back to local and Paracas traditions. Over its 500-year span, it exhibited diverse settlement patterns, from small villages to large centers like Cahuachi, reflecting varied cultural trajectories across different valleys and elevations. Recent research has refined the culture's chronology, revealing its dynamic development and eventual decline, likely influenced by environmental factors such as desert conditions and climatic shifts. Ritual practices, evident in geoglyphs, trophy heads, plazas, pyramids, and art depicting supernatural beings, underscored religion's role as a unifying force. While the extent of social hierarchy remains debated, the Nasca civilization stands out for its vibrancy and complexity, enduring for centuries despite environmental challenges.

The Necropolis Workforce and the Chronology of the 21 st Dynasty

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2026 — WHE00F6922832

A new analysis of Necropolis workmen's lists from Ancient Thebes reveals that only Jansen-Winkeln’s chronological hypothesis aligns with the dates recorded, suggesting these dates refer to Theban high priests of Amun rather than Tanite kings. This method also estimates a 14-year gap between year 10 of the Renaissance and year 1 of Pinedjem I, consistent with lunar observations and radiocarbon dating. Additionally, materials linked to scribe Horemkenese confirm his primary activity under Menkheperre, not Pinedjem I, reinforcing the study's chronological framework.

The phenomena of the wetland landscapes of the Colchic Lowland (Georgia) and their sustainable development challenges

Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands — 2026 — WHE132C79770B

The Kolchic Rainforests and Wetlands, particularly the Kolkheti wetlands in Georgia, play a pivotal role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting a rich diversity of medicinal plant species. While the establishment of the Kolkheti National Park has significantly improved conservation efforts, surrounding areas remain under pressure from human activities and infrastructure development. This study employs an integrative approach, combining geographical, ecological, economic, and ethnocultural data analysis with field research to assess historical and contemporary agricultural practices, vegetation cover, hydrological conditions, and ecosystem dynamics. The findings underscore the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of these wetlands for sustainable regional development, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive assessment and management strategies using integrative approaches to guide future planning and forecasting.