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Le site antique de Djemila (Algérie). Entre découverte et approche de valorisation

Djémila — 2020 — WHEA79954733B

Djémila, an ancient site in Algeria known as 'Cuicul,' stands out for its untapped potential in redefining heritage revitalization. This study highlights the need for a comprehensive reevaluation of its archaeological data and conservation methods to address modern demands. By revisiting past discoveries and scientific findings, it proposes innovative approaches to reinterpret Djemila's urban history, ensuring its integration into contemporary heritage strategies. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, Djémila offers a case study for balancing preservation with dynamic adaptation, leveraging its rich, yet underutilized, historical layers to shape a sustainable future.

Le tain du miroir, Anthropologie visuelle et bricolage institutionnel dans le réseau des Cévennes

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2020 — WHEB79872A77E

A groundbreaking intersection of visual anthropology and institutional innovation emerges from the Cévennes, where Fernand Deligny's 1980 work, 'Singulière Ethnie,' both engages with and diverges from Pierre Clastres' anthropological framework. This study illuminates Deligny's unique position at the nexus of sensory ethnography and institutional improvisation, set against the backdrop of the Cévennes' cultural landscape. The research leverages the Paluche camera, a novel tool introduced in 1978 by Jean-Pierre Beauviala via Renaud Victor's ORTF research initiative, to explore how visual media can both document and shape institutional practices within this region. By analyzing Deligny's work through the lens of these dual approaches—sensory ethnography and bricolage—the study reveals the complex interplay between cultural preservation and adaptive governance in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Le tombe a schola di Pompei sepolture “eroiche” giulio-claudie di tribuni militum a populo e sacerdotes publicae

Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata — 2020 — WHE4CEEE69000

Pompeii's archaeological sites reveal seven previously unknown monumental tombs, or scholae, from the early Julio-Claudian period. These tombs, inspired by Greek gymnasium seating for magistrates and philosophers, were erected in public spaces through decurional votes, granting them a heroic aura. This honor was initially reserved for elite municipal figures such as priestesses of Ceres and Venus, and military tribunes (tribuni militum a populo), later extending to wives of magistrates, often of obscure origins. The study highlights the significance of these tombs in reflecting Pompeii's social hierarchy and the evolution of funerary practices during this period.

Le vitrail néo-gothique en France au XIXe siècle

Bourges Cathedral — 2020 — WHEA4E97E599B

Neo-Gothic stained glass restoration in 19th-century France often involved significant alterations to medieval designs, driven by contemporary iconographical priorities and a lack of understanding of original imagery. While some restorations adhered closely to medieval techniques—such as the St. George window in Clermont-Ferrand (1836)—others, like those in Lyon, transformed or obscured original motifs, such as historiated medallions, in favor of themes relevant to local clergy or political ambitions. Despite criticism and regulatory efforts, including guidelines from the Office of Diocesan Buildings (1848) and the Commission on Stained Glass (1849–53), these practices persisted. Later restorations, such as those in Le Mans (1866–82), incorporated 19th-century Marian iconography, prioritizing formal and chromatic effects over historical accuracy. The decline of neo-Gothic stained glass coincided with the growing separation of Church and State, culminating in their legal divorce in 1905.

Learning and Experiencing the Cultural Heritage Between Materiality and Virtuality

Mantua and Sabbioneta — 2020 — WHEE27BCCD767

This research demonstrates how integrating new technologies with traditional educational approaches can deepen public engagement and participation in cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. By combining concrete proposals with technological tools—such as mapping and multimedia kits—the study highlights the potential for enhancing collective and individual experiences. In Mantua and Sabbioneta the approach involved collaborating with students and local historians to create tools that foster a unitary perception of the cities' spirit. The findings suggest that such methods can initiate meaningful reflections on informal education paths while addressing both the opportunities and limitations of technological integration in heritage fruition.

Learning from tradition: The role of environment perception layers in space making- the case of the Persian Garden

The Persian Garden — 2020 — WHE009649DE4D

Persian gardens, renowned for their timeless appeal and organic spatial qualities, offer valuable insights into human perception of space. This study reveals that the effectiveness of these environments stems from a multi-layered perception model, shaped by local ontology and ancient literature. By analyzing the Persian garden's design, which was crafted to engage visitors and cater to their relaxation needs, researchers identified how its unique characteristics resonate with people across different periods. The findings suggest that understanding these perceptual layers can inform the creation of modern spaces, enhancing their appeal and functionality. This approach bridges traditional knowledge with contemporary spatial design, providing a framework for more effective urban planning.

LEED v4.1 operations & maintenance for existing buildings and compliance assessment: Bayt Al-Suhaymi, Historic Cairo

Historic Cairo — 2020 — WHE533EA81976

Bayt Al-Suhaymi, a historic Islamic building in Cairo, demonstrates that traditional architectural design elements can achieve compliance with modern sustainability standards. The study found that passive design features—such as orientation, façade treatments, and selected materials—significantly enhance indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and energy efficiency, enabling the building to meet LEED v4.1 criteria for Gold certification. Measurements of temperature variance, humidity, TVOC, and CO2 levels revealed optimal IEQ, while the assessment of other LEED categories confirmed its potential for sustainable recognition. This research highlights the compatibility of historic Islamic architecture with contemporary green building frameworks.

Length of the Siege of Masada

Masada — 2020 — WHE56DBA9D5A3

The siege of Masada, long believed to have been a prolonged and arduous endeavor, is estimated to have lasted only four to seven weeks. This conclusion emerges from analyzing the logistical constraints faced by the Romans and experimental data on construction rates. The Roman forces would have prioritized swift capture due to the challenges of maintaining a siege, making it unlikely that the small number of Jewish defenders significantly prolonged the operation. Historical and experimental evidence suggests the siege ramp—built over a natural spur—could have been constructed within this timeframe, aligning with a start date around March 1st and an end in mid-April.

León Viejo de Nicaragua: Arquitectura colonial española en el siglo XVI

Ruins of León Viejo — 2020 — WHE116537E3E7

Colonial architecture in León Viejo, Nicaragua's first city (founded 1524, abandoned 1610), established foundational stylistic and design patterns that shaped the future of architectural heritage in the region. This study identifies key characteristics of Spanish colonial architecture during its implantation phase in the 16th century, revealing how settlers adapted European techniques to local constraints—limited resources, high seismicity, and a skilled but under-equipped workforce. The research highlights the prevalence of the 'casapatio' design with porticoed corridors and the 'par y nudillo' roof structure, influenced by Nasrid architecture. Unlike previous studies, this analysis combines historiography and site-specific data to contextualize León Viejo's unaltered ruins within broader historical, cultural, socio-economic, and natural frameworks. It underscores the need for continued conservation and study of this significant, yet under-researched, architectural heritage.

Leopard activity patterns in a small montane protected area highlight the need for integrated, collaborative landscape conservation

Central Highlands of Sri Lanka — 2020 — WHE184ED21A6A

Leopard activity patterns in Horton Plains National Park (HPNP), Sri Lanka, reveal that while females remain loyal to the park's grasslands, males frequently venture outside its boundaries. Camera trapping studies from 2017 and 2018 estimated leopard densities at 10.6 per 100 km² and 15.1 per 100 km², respectively, indicating that HPNP alone cannot sustain these populations without contributions from surrounding landscapes. The research underscores the need for integrated, collaborative conservation efforts to address habitat fragmentation and jurisdictional complexities, ensuring long-term survival of leopards in this montane ecosystem.

Les Canidés (Canis, Cuon) de la grotte Chauvet Pont d’Arc : réflexions sur les données paléontologiques et ichnologiques

Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche — 2020 — WHEA04B98B7E4

Paleontological and ichnological evidence from the Grotte Chauvet-Pont d'Arc (Ardèche) reveals that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the sole canid species present throughout most of the cave, with the exception of a specific zone near the Paleolithic entrance. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the diversity of canids in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study employed osteometric analysis of fossil samples and examination of footprints to draw these conclusions, providing new insights into the prehistoric fauna of the region.

Les Cités Maudites Selon le Coran : Un Rude Châtiment

Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) — 2020 — WHEAE1BA3F14A

The study reveals that the destruction of ancient cities, as described in Koranic texts, was preceded by divine intervention following persistent societal corruption. The research identifies five key forms of iniquity—idolatry, ignorance, corruption, immobility, and turpitude—that led to the downfall of these civilizations. Archaeological evidence from sites like Hegra (Al-Hijr) in Saudi Arabia and Tall el-Hamam in Jordan corroborates these narratives, linking them to the biblical cities of Madāʾin Ṣāliḥ and Sodom, respectively. The study also highlights a principle of 'right measure and weight,' suggesting that justice and prosperity arise from reforms, while societal stagnation leads to divine punishment. This work bridges textual analysis with archaeological data, offering a unique interdisciplinary perspective on the consequences of corruption in ancient societies.

Les stratégies de la narration dans la peinture médiévale

Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe — 2020 — WHE5C69AF7DC8

Medieval narrative strategies in Western art, particularly those adapted from the Cotton Genesis tradition, are revealed through an analysis of the 12th-century frescoes in Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe's nave barrel vault. This study demonstrates how the frescoes reinterpret Byzantine and Carolingian traditions to reflect themes from Augustine's De civitate Dei, blending political and theological narratives into a cohesive visual storytelling framework. The research employs comparative iconographic analysis, tracing the evolution of narrative techniques from the 5th-century Om Cotton Genesis manuscript through to later medieval art, highlighting Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe as a pivotal example of this adaptation.

Lessons from Alcobaça (Portugal): Ideals and Realities from a 12th-century Cistercian Plan into a 21st-century Town

Monastery of Alcobaça — 2020 — WHEC7B75BCA7E

The Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria de Alcobaça, founded in 1153 and later designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exemplifies how a meticulously planned 12th-century monastic structure has evolved into a cornerstone of modern urban development. This study reveals that the abbey's initial design, inspired by the motherhouse Abbey of Clairvaux, not only shaped Alcobaça's cityscape but also adapted to changing historical contexts, from its role under King D. Afonso Henriques to its transformation post-1834 after the extinction of monastic orders. The research highlights the interplay between the abbey's idealized urban planning and its integration with natural elements like the Alcoa and Baça rivers, demonstrating how such heritage sites can serve as models for contemporary urban rehabilitation. By analyzing the abbey's morphological evolution, the study underscores its enduring significance in defining Alcobaça's identity.

Lessons from Structural Analysis of a Great Gothic Cathedral: Canterbury Cathedral as a Case Study

Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church — 2020 — WHE8B167B3F28

A structural analysis of Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the UK's most iconic Gothic cathedrals, reveals that its damage patterns—characterized by repetitive cracks on vault intradoses and outward rotating movements in buttresses—stem from both extreme events and long-term processes. Using ambient vibration tests and finite element (FE) modeling, researchers calibrated a digital representation of the cathedral’s transverse section to match observed deformations. Nonlinear static analyses identified key factors influencing structural integrity, including construction history, infill volume, lateral thrusts, and differential settlements. The validated model confirmed that current safety factors for lateral and vertical loading align with local hazards, while comparisons with limit analysis provided additional insights into the cathedral’s resilience. This study offers a method for assessing similar heritage structures, balancing preservation needs with structural stability.

Lessons Learned from On-the-Ground Conservation in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Nyungwe National Park — 2020 — WHEAC39DAB10D

Conservation efforts in conflict zones, such as Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, can still achieve significant progress despite extreme challenges. A 1998 survey of staff from two conservation projects—Nyungwe Forest Conservation Project (supported by WCS) and Karisoke Research Center (supported by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund)—revealed that junior staff played a crucial role in sustaining operations during armed crises, often at great personal risk. Their motivation stemmed from a sense of protecting their natural heritage, belief in the importance of their work for their country, and the expectation of future salary payments. The study also highlighted the need for conservation organizations to invest more in training and responsibilities for junior staff, a lesson that led WCS to implement structural changes. This research underscores the resilience and critical role of local staff in maintaining conservation efforts amid instability.

Lessons Learnt from the Reconstruction of the Destroyed Mausoleums of Timbuktu, Mali

Timbuktu — 2020 — WHE77D87A1BC5

The reconstruction of Timbuktu's destroyed mausoleums, completed in 2016, revealed significant new insights into their historical evolution and cultural significance. Initial evaluations showed that these structures, some dating back over five hundred years, had undergone numerous modifications, challenging prior assumptions about their form and surroundings. This process also highlighted complex debates around reconstruction techniques, with some methods no longer in use, raising concerns about long-term maintenance. The collaborative effort involving Mali's Ministry of Culture, UNESCO, and local stakeholders provided a model for heritage preservation but left unresolved questions about the balance between historical accuracy and modern conservation practices.

Levantamiento y modelización tridimensional de la Torre del Negro o de Arráez, torre post-litoral del siglo XVI en El Algar (Región de Murcia, España)

Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena — 2020 — WHE77A9C009D8

A groundbreaking study has achieved the exhaustive graphic documentation of the Torre del Negro or Arráez, a 16th-century post-coastal tower located in El Algar, Cartagena (Region of Murcia, Spain). This work, employing digital photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning, provides unprecedented insights into the tower's construction and current state of conservation. The research contributes significantly to the understanding, consolidation, and volumetric recomposition of this heritage site, which is threatened by structural instability and lack of cover. By integrating historical monument analysis with advanced survey techniques, the study aims to enhance the preservation of the Torre del Negro while promoting its integration into its natural and landscape environment.

Lichens and allied non-lichenized fungi of virgin forests in the Caucasus State Nature Biosphere Reserve (Western Caucasus, Russia)

Western Caucasus — 2020 — WHE6888646AD2

A comprehensive survey of lichens and allied fungi in the Caucasus State Nature Biosphere Reserve revealed 659 species, including 149 new to the Northern Caucasus and 50 previously unknown in Russia. The study, conducted across seven one-hectare plots along an altitudinal gradient, identified a diverse range of epiphytic and epixylic species, with macrolichens comprising 26.5–40% of the total. Notably, the research found negligible effects of acidification or nitrogen emissions on lichen diversity, with cyanolichens remaining abundant across all plots. Beech and fir trees were the most preferred substrates, though most lichen species exhibited low substrate specificity. The highest species richness was observed in a plot outside the reserve, prompting recommendations for its inclusion to expand protected areas.

Lichens and associated fungi from Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2020 — WHEBC3CD89341

A groundbreaking lichen and fungal inventory from Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, reveals unprecedented biodiversity, with 947 taxa identified—including 831 lichen-forming species and 96 lichenicolous fungi. Notably, 98 species (10.3%) could not be assigned to known taxa, with two new genera and 27 new species described, alongside 38 taxa new to North America and 93 new to Alaska. The study employed classical field inventory combined with chemical and molecular analysis, validating the placement of ten new species using multi-locus DNA sequencing. This represents the second-largest lichen inventory from a comparable area globally and the largest in North America, underscoring the high diversity potential of high-latitude ecosystems.