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Showing 12541 – 12560 of 15962 publications

Integrated Dating of the Construction and Restoration of the Modena Cathedral Vaults (Northern Italy): Preliminary Results

Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena — 2020 — WHEE8CDF1023B

Preliminary research on the Modena Cathedral vaults reveals significantly more earthquake damage than previously documented, with evidence of repairs dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The study used radiocarbon (14C), optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), and thermoluminescence (TL) dating techniques to analyze building materials, uncovering that medieval bricks were reused in the cathedral's original 15th-century construction. Notably, lime mortar was employed for early repairs following seismic events, while gypsum mortar was introduced in the 18th century. This integrated approach not only clarifies the cathedral's construction timeline but also provides new insights into its restoration history and the impact of earthquakes on this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Integrated Geomatic Techniques for Georeferencing and Reconstructing the Position of Underground Archaeological Sites: The Case Study of the Augustus Sundial (Rome)

Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura — 2020 — WHE639CBCB912

High-precision geomatic techniques successfully reconstructed the position of a short, exposed segment (less than 7 meters) of Emperor Augustus' Sundial—a once-imposing instrument buried beneath Rome's historic center. This reconstruction, critical for 'reverse engineering' the sundial's operation, mitigates errors that could propagate from centimeters to meters when extrapolating its full structure, which may extend tens or even hundreds of meters underground. The study demonstrates how integrating geomatic methods—such as geodetic surveys and 3D modeling—enables accurate excavation planning while minimizing risks to overlying historic buildings. By georeferencing the visible fragment within a precise reference system, researchers identified potential areas for further excavation, advancing both archaeological interpretation and our understanding of this ancient scientific instrument's role in modern calendar systems.

Integrated Landscape Change Analysis of Protected Areas and their Surrounding Landscapes: Application in the Brazilian Cerrado

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2020 — WHE7FF868AD53

A novel methodology combining land use and land cover (LULC) data with vegetation index-based indicators reveals significant ecological degradation within the Cerrado Protected Areas, despite minimal natural vegetation loss. The study, focusing on Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks in Brazil, used Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) proxies to assess productivity, phenology, and structural changes between 2001 and 2016. Results showed substantial LULC conversions from natural vegetation to farming land, productivity loss, forest homogenization, and agricultural expansion, indicating habitat degradation and intensified land use. This integrated approach underscores the need for complementary indicators to monitor ecologically relevant dynamics in conservation areas.

Integrated Surface and Subsurface Geological Mapping of the Valley of the Missions, San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio Missions — 2020 — WHE23B97D8374

A multistrand fault zone beneath Mission Concepción, San Antonio, Texas, may have facilitated the ascent of warm waters through thick Upper Cretaceous mudstone, contributing to the formation of a spring deposit (tufa) used in constructing two historic missions. This finding emerges from an integrated surface and subsurface geological mapping project conducted at a 1:24,000 scale across the Valley of the Missions. The study leverages well control data drilled for the Edwards Aquifer to infer fault locations and bedrock outcrops or subcrops, addressing the scarcity of surface outcrops in the area. Additionally, the research identifies mappable transitions from clay to sandy soils, correlating with thin Poth sandstones and related siltstone units recognized subsurface. This work aims to deepen understanding of the missions' setting, their resource utilization, and to inform conservation efforts while guiding metropolitan development.

Interactions between Ancient Teotihuacan and the Maya world

Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan — 2020 — WHED89FF909EB

New evidence suggests that the Teotihuacan state, during its monumental construction phase around the 3rd century CE, engaged with Maya and other foreign groups in significant ways. These interactions likely involved the exchange of esoteric knowledge, mass-sacrifice rituals, or participation in accession ceremonies. The 'Entrada' event around 378 CE appears to mark a renewed contact between Teotihuacan and specific Petén groups, coinciding with a restructuring of the Teotihuacan polity towards militarism and expansionist designs. This study interprets data from Teotihuacan's city center to propose that these interactions were pivotal in shaping its pan-Mesoamerican worldview and socio-political dynamics.

Interactions between the Caddo and Cahokia Regions

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2020 — WHEDACD37530E

Archaeological evidence suggests that the Caddo region experienced significant cultural transformation through interactions with Cahokia during the 11th century. Ritual items, including flint clay figures and copper artifacts like hand symbols and maskettes, likely originated from Cahokia and were introduced to the Caddo area following visits or pilgrimages. These exchanges may have facilitated the adoption of new religious practices, reinforced social hierarchies, and institutionalized leadership roles. The movement of people, ideas, and goods connected the Caddo region to the broader Mississippian world, indicating a profound influence on local cultural traditions.

Interactions between the imperiled West Indian manatee, Trichechus manatus, and mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA

Everglades National Park — 2020 — WHEEDEE2409AD

Researchers have documented the first evidence of direct interactions between mosquitoes and an aquatic mammal, the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), in Everglades National Park. Observations revealed that mosquitoes from three genera—Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex—can locate and land on surface-active manatees, penetrating their epidermis with mouthparts. While it remains unclear if blood meals are successfully taken, the findings suggest a potential pathway for marine mammals to be exposed to mosquito-vectored pathogens, such as arboviruses, through viral inoculation during probing. This discovery raises concerns about emerging health threats to threatened species like the manatee, which could be impacted by diseases typically associated with terrestrial or semi-aquatic hosts.

Interannual summer mixing processes in the Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland

Ilulissat Icefjord — 2020 — WHEBDDE14F3B0

Enhanced oceanic mixing at the deep sill of Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland, promotes upward heat and salt transport from subsurface layers to the surface mixed layer. This process, quantified using Thorpe scale analysis of density inversions from summer research cruises (2009–2017), revealed diapycnal diffusivity reaching up to 1×10⁻³.⁵ m²/s⁻¹—significantly higher than global ocean averages. The strongest mixing occurred in 2013, while the weakest was observed in 2016, correlating with glacier melting conditions and ice melange dynamics. Low melange concentrations increased ventilation, facilitating intrusions of Polar and Irminger waters that disrupted water column stability, reducing diffusive convection. These findings suggest that water intrusions from Disko Bay may influence the stability of Jakobshavn Isbræ Glacier, offering critical insights into fjord-glacier interactions.

Interdisciplinary Dating of Utrish Seismic Dislocations: Localization of the Source of a Strong Historical Earthquake in the Western Caucasus

Western Caucasus — 2020 — WHE1343CD7D80

A strong historical earthquake, likely with a magnitude of MW ≈ 6.9, struck the Western Caucasus region between the 12th and 13th centuries, according to an interdisciplinary study combining paleoseismological, archaeological, and dendrochronological evidence. The seismic source was localized in the Utrish Fault zone along the Abrau Peninsula coast, marking a significant contribution to seismic hazard assessments for the area. This finding underscores the seismogenic role of the fault, providing critical insights into the region's tectonic activity and historical earthquake risks.

Intermediary Role Of Nostalgia Tendency In The Effect Of Electronic Word Of Mouth Communication On Tourists' Destination Visit Intentions

City of Safranbolu — 2020 — WHEFA71918148

Electronic word-of-mouth (E-WOM) communication significantly influences tourists' intentions to visit Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage City. Nostalgia tendencies partially mediate this effect, suggesting that sentimental attachment to the past plays a key role in shaping destination preferences. The study used a survey of 402 travel enthusiasts and applied structural equation modeling with SPSS analysis to reveal these relationships. Findings highlight how E-WOM can leverage nostalgia to enhance travel intentions, offering insights for tourism marketing strategies.

International Significance of the Republic of Kazakhstan State Program “Cultural Heritage”

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi — 2020 — WHE2FA83C2AE7

Kazakhstan's state program 'Cultural Heritage' has achieved international significance through strategic integration of cultural, scientific, and educational institutions, backed by legislative and financial support. The program positions Kazakhstan's historic-cultural heritage, including the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and the city of Turkestan, as global brands. Its success is attributed to interdisciplinary research on heritage assimilation, digitalization efforts, and active cooperation with UNESCO, particularly through initiatives like the Silk Roads Project. The study highlights the program's innovative approach to consolidating national heritage for educational and tourism purposes, drawing attention from scientists worldwide and offering a model for other nations.

Interpretasi Relief Gandawyuha di Candi Borobudur

Borobudur Temple Compounds — 2020 — WHEF5CCF83107

A comprehensive analysis of the Gandawyuha reliefs at Borobudur Temple Compound reveals rich narratives that encapsulate Buddhist teachings and cultural practices from 8th to 10th century Java. These reliefs, totaling 460 panels across corridors II to IV, depict Sudhana's journey and interactions with wise mentors (Kalyanamitra), offering insights into ancient Javanese society, spirituality, and environmental values. The study identified 128 key panels in corridor II, highlighting themes such as divine love for nature, responsibility, resilience, and collaboration—qualities that serve as educational tools for character development. By combining photographic data with secondary sources, researchers systematically interpreted these reliefs to extract moral and cultural lessons, providing a novel framework for understanding Borobudur's historical and pedagogical significance.

Interpretation of traces of hypothetical quincha walls in Samaipata

Fuerte de Samaipata — 2020 — WHE177BEBAF5E

Computer simulations reveal that hypothetical quincha walls, likely used for structural purposes at the Fuerte de Samaipata UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bolivia, could indeed withstand the site's strong winds. The study employed 3D laser scanning and finite element method (FEM) analysis to model and assess the structural stability of these walls, which are inferred from rows of small circular holes drilled into the rock. This research challenges previous doubts about their resilience, providing new insights into the construction techniques of pre-Hispanic cultures that developed around this sacred rock over 1200 years.

Interpreting heritage canals from the perspective of historical events: a case study of the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal, China

West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou — 2020 — WHECB7A699D4F

Research reveals how heritage canals, exemplified by the Hangzhou section of China's Grand Canal, shape cultural landscapes through historical events. By classifying events into three types and mapping related architectural works and places, the study identifies key elements that define the canal's core values. It further explores how these elements interact to form a network, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying the canal's role in its landscape system. This approach offers a framework for conservation strategies and urban design, ensuring the preservation of heritage canals' cultural significance.

Interpreting Islamic Dream Books of the Cairo Genizah

Historic Cairo — 2020 — WHEE81DD8768C

A groundbreaking analysis of the Cairo Genizah reveals its untapped potential as a source for understanding Islamic intellectual history, particularly through the study of dream interpretation manuals. While previous research has predominantly focused on Jewish thought, this study highlights the significance of Judeo-Arabic dream books from the pre-modern period, demonstrating their relevance to both Jewish and Islamic epistemologies. The research, rooted in doctoral work, employs a synoptic edition of texts, including a case study of the Taʿbīr al-ruʾyā attributed to al-Kirmānī, to illustrate the literary history and compositional legacy preserved in these manuscripts. This approach not only enriches our understanding of dream interpretation traditions but also underscores the Genizah's broader contributions to the intellectual landscape of the medieval Near East.

Interpreting mortuary treatment from histological bone diagenesis: A case study from Neolithic Çatalhöyük

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2020 — WHE4BDBCC9D4E

A groundbreaking study reveals differential mortuary practices at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, Anatolia, Turkey. Through histological examination of bacterial microbioerosion in human bones, researchers identified significant differences in bone preservation between juveniles and adults, suggesting varied burial treatments based on age. The analysis of 162 individuals using polarized light microscopy showed no gender-based variations in bacterial microbioerosion but highlighted distinct preservation patterns linked to age-specific mortuary practices. This study underscores the potential of histological taphonomy in uncovering nuanced social and cultural behaviors from ancient sites, offering new insights into Neolithic burial customs.

Intertidal Bathymetry Extraction with Multispectral Images: A Logistic Regression Approach

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omatí Minhô — 2020 — WHE74FE46C88A

A novel methodology for estimating intertidal bathymetry using multispectral remote sensing images demonstrates superior accuracy compared to existing techniques. By modeling the temporal variability of near-infrared (IR) reflectance with a sigmoid function, researchers can derive pixel elevation without requiring additional depth data for calibration. This approach, validated in the Tagus river estuary and the Bijagós archipelago, achieves a standard deviation of 0.34 m and outperforms the Stumpf ratio transform algorithm. The resulting intertidal digital elevation models (DEMs) offer 10-meter spatial resolution, enabling automated updates to cartographic data and enhancing monitoring of intertidal dynamics. This method holds significant potential for morphodynamic modeling and environmental assessments in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Bijagós Archipelago.

Intertidal sedimentary dynamics in Mont-Saint-Michel bay, a study of its natural evolution and man-made modifications

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2020 — WHE4263AE6ECC

Mont-Saint-Michel Bay exhibits dynamic sedimentary processes shaped by tidal and swell interactions, leading to the migration of coarse bioclastic sands at rates of several dozen meters per year. These sands accumulate on upper tidal flats, forming a relatively stable but non-continuous coastal barrier composed of large shell banks. The eastern part of the bay, an estuarine zone, shows constrained morpho-dynamics due to shifting channels, while sedimentary accretion around Mont-Saint-Michel varies from 0.2 to 10 cm/year, depending on the salt marsh front's context. Salt marshes advance at approximately 17 hectares per year, contributing to the bay's gradual infilling over millennia. Human activities, such as fixed fisheries, shellfish farming, polder formation, and dike construction, have further altered the landscape, with historical reconstructions providing insight into these changes.

Introduced land mammals and their impacts on the birds of the subantarctic Auckland Islands

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands — 2020 — WHEB9D4A8C969

Introduced land mammals have significantly impacted the bird populations of the subantarctic Auckland Islands. Since European discovery, at least ten species established themselves, leading to habitat transformation and ecosystem alterations. Cattle, goats, pigs, and rabbits were particularly destructive, suppressing tussock and woody vegetation across multiple islands. Cats and pigs are notably responsible for the extirpation or major reduction of surface-nesting seabird colonies and ground-nesting land birds on Auckland Island. Mice have also altered invertebrate community composition, affecting wētā and large weevils. The study highlights that eradication efforts, such as those targeting pigs, cats, and mice from Auckland Island, could potentially remove the last introduced mammals from the New Zealand subantarctic region, offering a pathway to restore native bird populations.

Introducing historical landscape in the cultural heritage conservation through the example of the Tokaj wine region in Hungary

Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape — 2020 — WHE676FF7E8ED

The Tokaj Wine Region in Hungary stands as the sole legally recognized historical landscape in the country, offering a unique model for cultural heritage conservation. This designation, established in 2012, aims to preserve both the built and natural environment along with traditional land use practices, elevating the region's protection status. While the Tokaj Wine Region is already inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 2002 and recognized as a priority development and touristic area by the national government, the study highlights the potential of the historical landscape concept to transform territorial planning and development narratives. The research analyzes the institutional process that led to this recognition, focusing on the integration of 'historical landscape' as a new object of protection in Hungary's heritage conservation framework. It explores the contrast between social inequality and the prestige of the wine sector, providing insights into the broader implications for heritage management.