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Silk Mills Transition and the Sites Utilization in Gunma Prefecture

Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites — 2020 — WHEF7702C40B9

Gunma Prefecture, known as Japan's 'Silk Country,' experienced a dramatic transition in its silk mill industry after World War II. Initially thriving with over 30 mills recovering post-war due to domestic demand, the sector declined sharply following economic recessions and cheaper imports, leaving only one operational mill today. Research reveals that former mill sites are now repurposed into five categories: public facilities, commercial complexes, housing districts, factories, and open spaces. While some retain traces of their silk mill heritage, most lack clear historical markers due to redevelopment pressures. The study identifies this shift as a consequence of economic forces and urbanization, highlighting the challenges of preserving industrial heritage in modern landscapes.

Silver Kithara from Old Nisa

Parthian Fortresses of Nisa — 2020 — WHE513A781F1C

A silver artifact discovered at Old Nisa, a Parthian fortress now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been reattributed by researchers. Previously thought to be a ceremonial axe symbolizing martial power, the silver kithara arm and its cylindrical yoke with tuning pins suggest it was part of a larger musical instrument, likely from a bronze or silver statue. This reattribution challenges conventional interpretations and sheds new light on the cultural significance of such artifacts in Greco-Iranian contexts during the 2nd century BC. The study employs stylistic analysis to date the kithara between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC, supported by comparisons with Hellenistic pictorial evidence. Reconstruction drawings provide further insight into its design, contributing to our understanding of ancient musical instruments and their symbolic roles in antiquity.

Simulating Urban Growth Scenarios Based on Ecological Security Pattern: A Case Study in Quanzhou, China

Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China — 2020 — WHEA2C4CA46E0

Researchers have developed a method to predict urban growth that balances development with ecological protection, offering a new approach for sustainable urban planning. By integrating the ecological security pattern (ESP) into urban growth simulations, the study identified optimal scenarios for Quanzhou, China, using a multi-level ESP framework that considers water, geology, biodiversity, and recreation. The simulation, conducted with the SLEUTH model, excluded areas designated as critical for ecological security, resulting in three distinct urban sprawl scenarios. The findings recommend an 'optimal' growth scenario that minimizes environmental impact while supporting urban expansion, providing actionable insights for policymakers to foster more environmentally-friendly urban development.

Site Extension. Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region (Albania)

Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region — 2020 — WHE4F0951B164

The extension of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region' now includes the north-western Albanian part of Lake Ohrid, revealing significant prehistoric and Early Christian heritage. The Lin Peninsula, a key addition, hosts the remains of an Early Christian church from the mid-6th century, while shallow waters near the shores preserve evidence of prehistoric pile dwellings. This expansion underscores Lake Ohrid's status as a superlative natural phenomenon, home to numerous endemic species of freshwater fauna and flora dating back to the Tertiary period. The site's unique combination of cultural and natural heritage highlights its global significance.

Situación Actual de las Áreas Protegidas en la Provincia de Colón, Panamá: Marco Descriptivo para una Mejor Gestión y Manejo

Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo — 2020 — WHEB8E91BB18A

A significant increase in threats to protected areas in Colón, Panama, is jeopardizing their ecological integrity. The study reveals diverse challenges across four key sites—Parque Nacional Portobelo, Bosque Protector y Paisaje Protegido San Lorenzo, Área Recreativa Lago Gatún, and Paisaje Protegido de Isla Galeta—highlighting the need for urgent intervention. Researchers analyzed social, administrative, economic, legal, natural resource, and cultural dimensions using fieldwork and institutional data, identifying gaps in management effectiveness. Recommendations include strategic partnerships, enhanced education, scientific knowledge expansion, and increased trained personnel to mitigate threats and improve conservation outcomes.

Situación del cuyamel (Joturus pichardi): pez de importancia cultural y comercial para los pobladores de la zona cultural de la Reserva del Hombre y la Biósfera del Río Plátano

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve — 2020 — WHEE27D38B789

A significant decline in the population of Cuyamel (Joturus pichardi), a culturally and commercially important fish species, has been observed in the Reserva del Hombre y la Biosfera del Río Plátano (RHBRP). Despite its importance, the Cuyamel is not a primary target for local fishermen, yet it faces illegal fishing threats from external sources, exacerbated by overfishing and destructive practices like dynamite use and poisoning. The study applied the 'Marine and Lagunar Fishing Monitoring Protocol' to assess fishing activities and biological sampling, revealing a sharp reduction in fish populations. Recommendations include continued monitoring of artisanal fisheries, training for local technicians, and exploring cultivation possibilities for the species in its natural habitat.

Śivagrha (Prambanan Temple) as an Archetype of Hindu Theology in Nusantara (An Endeavor to Discover Hindu Theological Knowledge through Ancient Temple Heritage)

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2020 — WHED67F9DA9D7

Prambanan Temple Complex, despite being perceived as a site for equal worship of Trimūrti (Brahmā, Visnu, and Śiva), is revealed to be an archetype of Śivaistik theology in Nusantara. The study demonstrates that Prambanan embodies two distinct theological typologies: Nirguna Brahman, where it serves as a place to worship Parabrahman (The Absolute), and Saguna Brahman, where it functions as Śivagrha, the House of Lord Śiva, with Śiva as the highest Devata. This finding challenges the prevalent belief that Trimūrti is worshipped equally in Nusantara Hinduism. The research employs Ethnographic Content Analysis (ECA) to dissect the temple's structure and associated manuscripts, confirming its Śivaistic concept through architectural patterns like Vāstupurusamandala. This approach underscores Prambanan's significance as a grand temple complex reflecting deep theological nuances in ancient Hindu heritage.

Six milestone stations and new inscriptions discovered in the Negev along the Petra-Gaza Incense Route

Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev — 2020 — WHEA008DA316F

Archaeologists have uncovered six milestone stations and four inscribed milestones along the lost segment of the ancient Petra-Gaza Incense Route in the Negev Desert, bridging a 7 km gap previously identified by Zeev Meshel and Yoram Tsafrir. These inscriptions represent the first dated texts from the incense route in the region, offering new insights into Nabataean trade networks and historical chronology. The discovery was made during a winter survey in 2018, confirming the scholars' earlier hypothesis about the road's continuity despite the absence of visible remains along the presumed path.

Skeletal and Dental Health of Precontact Marquesans: The Bioarchaeology of the Human Skeletons from Ha‘atuatua, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands

Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands — 2020 — WHE4A1CD8C0FA

Precontact Marquesans exhibited generally good health, contrary to expectations of increased disease and warfare during the Expansion Period. Analysis of 81 skeletons from Ha'atuatua, Nuku Hiva, revealed few signs of significant palaeopathology in adults and no marked sex differences in health indicators. While subadults showed evidence of infection, anemia, or metabolic disease, with many dying in infancy, their health patterns mirrored those observed in other East Polynesian populations. The study suggests that the precontact inhabitants were robust, with males comparable in stature to other East Polynesians. Elevated stress fractures in adults may indicate labor-intensive activities related to landscape changes and megalithic construction. This bioarchaeological research challenges previous assumptions about health and lifestyle during this period.

Slab Detachment, Mantle Flow, and Crustal Collision in Eastern Sicily (Southern Italy): Implications on Mount Etna Volcanism

Mount Etna — 2020 — WHE8CFE5EDE4C

New geodynamic interpretations reveal that deep crustal shortening beneath Mount Etna, one of Europe's few active volcanoes, is driven by trench-parallel slab breakoff and fore-arc mantle flow. This tectonic inversion, marked by a large thrust-ramp structure, suggests that the opening of a gateway in the Ionian slab has allowed mantle mobilization, influencing magmatic source mixing and underplating processes beneath Etna. The study combines lithospheric reconstructions, seismicity analysis, and stress state modeling to argue that this compressional regime—contrasting with previous extensional conditions—significantly impacts Etna's volcanic dynamics, potentially indicating a transition toward decline. Comparisons with extinct southern Tyrrhenian volcanic systems further support these findings.

Slavernijverleden werpt schaduw vooruit

Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Curaçao — 2020 — WHEE82677F2EF

A potential UNESCO World Heritage nomination for the plantation system of western Curaçao could safeguard its unique but eroding landscape, but success hinges on addressing historical controversies, particularly slavery. The study argues that a nomination should acknowledge the dark aspects of history and shift focus from architecture to cultural landscapes, including diverse modes of production like salt, water, and mining. It also emphasizes the need for broader popular support and systematic research to bridge knowledge gaps. Two strategies are proposed: a new nomination or extending the existing Willemstad site, which could highlight the city's multicultural heritage.

Slippery ontologies of tidal flats

Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats — 2020 — WHE4ABFCCCCDD

Tidal flats, such as South Korea's getbol, exhibit 'slippery ontologies'—dynamic and ambiguous materialities that resist modern attempts to classify or measure them. This study reveals how their in-between nature, neither land nor sea, frustrates efforts to place them within structured knowledge systems. Through interviews with scientists and comparative analysis of land-water spaces, it highlights the contributions of both non-human elements (e.g., sediment, organisms) and human practices to this slipperiness. The research underscores that embracing tidal flats' fluid ontologies could mitigate their endangerment, as over half of South Korea's tidal flats have been lost to reclamation in the past century.

Small microplastics on beaches of Fernando de Noronha Island, Tropical Atlantic Ocean

Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves — 2020 — WHE261CBDF262

A study on the beaches of Fernando de Noronha Island, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, reveals that small microplastics (SMP) are prevalent, with synthetic fibers being the predominant type. The research analyzed SMP from 15 sandy beaches, categorizing them by shape, color, and size. No significant difference was found in the concentration of SMP between windward and leeward beaches, indicating that environmental factors controlling the transport and deposition of synthetic fibers may differ from those affecting fragments. While allochthonous sources are challenging to prevent at a small scale, the study underscores the necessity for management actions to curb autochthonous sources of microplastics on the island.

Small terrestrial mammal distributions in Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia: a reassessment after 88 years

Simien National Park — 2020 — WHE7209A2B4C2

A recent reassessment of small terrestrial mammal distributions in Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP), Ethiopia, reveals significant upward elevational shifts in species' ranges over the past 88 years, suggesting a strong influence of climate change on these endemic mammals. The study, conducted between September and November 2015 at four elevations along the western slope of the Simien Mountains, recorded 13 species—all endemic to the Ethiopian Plateau—with the highest species richness observed at mid-elevations (3,250 m). This pattern contrasts with broader global trends but aligns with African mountain ecosystems. By comparing these findings to historical data from 1927, researchers highlighted the potential impact of climate change on the elevational distribution of small mammals in this critical biodiversity hotspot.

Social inequalities, sexual tourism and HIV in Cartagena, Colombia: an ethnographic study

Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena — 2020 — WHE48879EC85C

A five-year ethnographic study in Cartagena, Colombia, reveals that social inequalities—rooted in class, skin color, gender, and sexual orientation—synergistically increase vulnerability to HIV infection, particularly within the city's sexual tourism industry. The research found that poverty, racialization, and gender disparities historically sustain dynamics that fuel this industry, thereby elevating HIV risk for marginalized groups. The study highlights a distinct link between globalized sexual tourism and Cartagena's colonial-era racialized social structure, illustrating how these intersecting factors complicate safe sex practices and perpetuate HIV transmission.

Social rank overrides environmental and community fluctuations in determining meat access by female chimpanzees in the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire

Taï National Park — 2020 — WHE0329CCC611

High-ranking female chimpanzees in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, consistently secure greater access to meat compared to their subordinates, regardless of fluctuations in community size or seasonal ecological changes. This dominance advantage persists over time, even though females rarely hunt themselves. The study analyzed 773 meat-eating events spanning 25 years across two chimpanzee communities, revealing that social rank overrides environmental and demographic factors in determining presence at and acquisition of meat during feeding events. Additional female traits—such as oestrus status, nursing young infants, or age—also positively influenced their likelihood of being present and securing meat. These findings support the hypothesis that dominance rank is a key factor conferring long-term benefits for high-ranking females, providing critical insights into the evolution of social hierarchies in our closest living relatives.

Social vulnerabilities of female waste pickers in Brasília, Brazil

Brasilia — 2020 — WHEE7F3E8C30A

Female waste pickers in Brasília, Brazil, face significant social vulnerabilities that exacerbate their exposure to health risks. A study of 1,025 waste pickers at Estrutural’s dumpsite revealed that 67% were women, most of whom lived without partners (73.7%), had three to four children (47.8%), and earned lower monthly incomes (62.6%). These findings highlight the disproportionate burden faced by female waste pickers, who are more likely to experience adverse health effects due to occupational hazards while also managing greater family responsibilities. The research employed a quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological approach with semi-structured data to identify gender disparities in this vulnerable population. Such insights underscore the need for targeted interventions to address both occupational and social challenges affecting female waste pickers globally.

Socio-economic Profile of Puri District of Odisha

Sun Temple, Konârak — 2020 — WHE75B0073F71

Puri district, home to the renowned Sun Temple of Konârak and other significant cultural landmarks, faces socio-economic challenges that hinder its development. Despite favorable agro-climatic conditions, the district's economy remains stagnant due to fragmented land holdings and insufficient irrigation facilities, which limit agricultural productivity. While tourism is a growing sector, it fails to absorb the increasing population, exacerbating unemployment and poverty. The lack of heavy industries, compounded by traditional small-scale and cottage industries without advanced technology, further restricts economic growth. The study highlights that Puri district is industrially backward with low investment and output, necessitating structural diversification to improve livelihoods and economic standards.

Socio-Spatial Concerns in Urban Mobility Planning: Insights from Competing Policies in Quito

City of Quito — 2020 — WHE8852744D1D

Urban mobility planning in Quito, Ecuador, reveals that the choice between bus rapid transit (BRT) and subway systems is influenced by socio-spatial concerns such as accessibility, urban transformation, economic sustainability, and public acceptability. The study finds that these factors interplay with social, political, and spatial features of the city to shape transport policies over time. By comparing the implementation of Quito's BRT network and an under-construction subway line, the research highlights how competing mobility strategies can either complement or replace each other, depending on their capacity, sustainability, and public reception. This analysis underscores the importance of considering broader socio-spatial dynamics in urban development to achieve equitable and effective transport solutions.

Socio-spatial regeneration challenges in Attaba historic market, Cairo – Egypt

Historic Cairo — 2020 — WHE51B2FF0641

A critical gap in heritage regeneration policies threatens the socio-economic vitality of historic Cairo's Attaba market, one of the few remaining 19th-century covered markets. The study reveals that the absence of clear regeneration strategies and public participation undermines the market's role as a sustainable urban nucleus, endangering both its tangible and intangible values. Through archival analysis, semi-structured interviews with traders (n=30), in-depth observations from 2016 to 2018, and discussions with local officials, researchers identified systemic challenges that hinder the market's potential for sustainable development. The paper proposes a framework for regeneration, offering a scalable model applicable to other historic markets in Cairo, while emphasizing the urgent need for policy intervention to preserve these understudied yet vital urban assets.