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Uruk, Irak. Wissenschaftliche Forschungen 2019

The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities — 2019 — WHEFDD849B45F

New archaeological discoveries in Uruk, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'The Ahwar of Southern Iraq,' reveal significant insights into the city's early 3rd millennium BC fortifications and a sacred structure outside its walls. The research, conducted in collaboration with Iraqi authorities, utilized advanced aerial photography to generate detailed topographic plans and map archaeological remains, while geophysical prospection and environmental surveys expanded the understanding of Uruk's landscape. These findings contribute to the broader study of Mesopotamian urban development and biodiversity conservation within the Ahwar region. Additionally, the project provided training for local and European junior archaeologists, fostering capacity-building in both fields.

Using geotagged photographs and GPS tracks from social networks to analyse visitor behaviour in national parks

Teide National Park — 2019 — WHE4CE42FDC7B

Geotagged data from social networks, including photographs and GPS tracks, can effectively analyze visitor behavior in national parks. A study on Teide National Park, the most visited in Spain, demonstrated that such data provides valuable insights into spatial distribution, points of interest, itinerary networks, temporal patterns, and visitors' origins. Additionally, this approach offers practical applications for determining optimal locations for new facilities like information stands. The research highlights the potential of social media-derived data as a tool for understanding and managing visitor behavior in protected areas.

Using ground penetrating radar to understand the failure of the Koh Ker Reservoir, Northern Cambodia

Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar — 2019 — WHEC7931846AD

New evidence from ground penetrating radar and excavation reveals that the Koh Ker Reservoir, built during the Angkorian period in Cambodia, suffered from a critical design flaw. The spillway's laterite pavement was even less effective at managing water flow than previously estimated, likely contributing to the reservoir's dike failure during its first rainy season after construction. This structural failure may have played a pivotal role in Koh Ker's brief tenure as the political center of the Khmer Empire, highlighting the vulnerability of ancient hydraulic engineering to environmental stresses.

Vascular flora of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Maranhão State, Brazil: checklist, floristic affinities and phytophysiognomies of restingas in the municipality of Barreirinhas

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park — 2019 — WHE5516F89F39

A floristic survey of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil, identified 289 vascular plant species across 73 families, with notable richness in Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, Eriocaulaceae, and Myrtaceae. The study recorded 56 new occurrences for the state of Maranhão and revealed low floristic similarity among restinga areas in North and Northeastern Brazil, suggesting high endemism or potential collection bias. The research combined herbarium data with field collections (2015–2017) and applied UPGMA clustering using Jaccard index to analyze affinities.

Vegetation of Andean wetlands (bofedales) in Huascarán National Park, Peru

Huascarán National Park — 2019 — WHEC654FB7DB5

Andean wetlands, or bofedales, exhibit significant valley-to-valley variation in species composition and vegetation assemblages, influenced by factors such as elevation, soil properties, and glacier recession. This study, the first exploratory analysis of its kind in Huascarán National Park, Peru, identified 112 plant species across five distinct vegetation groups, highlighting the unique biodiversity and spatial patterns of these high-altitude ecosystems. The research suggests that abiotic factors like bulk density, organic matter content, and cation exchange capacity play crucial roles in shaping floristic composition. These findings provide critical insights for land managers facing environmental transformations due to glacier retreat and underscore the need for further comprehensive studies on tropical Andean ecosystems.

Virtual Inpainting for Dazu Rock Carvings Based on a Sample Dataset

Dazu Rock Carvings — 2019 — WHE91D6F3DB12

A novel semi-automatic exemplar-based inpainting framework leverages a sample dataset to effectively restore severely damaged art images, such as the Dazu Rock Carvings, where minimal prior information is available. The approach extends the search space for candidate patches beyond the known region of the original image, addressing challenges in traditional inpainting methods. By integrating deep convolutional networks for reference image selection and melding algorithms for sample image creation, this method reduces complexity while avoiding duplication issues in art restoration. Poisson blending further enhances visual harmony between reconstructed fragments and existing regions. Applied to Buddhist face images from Dazu, the framework demonstrates its potential as a reference for both actual artificial inpainting and virtual reality presentations.

Virtual museum enriched by GIS data to share science and culture. Church of Saint Stephen in Umm Ar-Rasas (Jordan)

Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) — 2019 — WHE6F5E6ED317

A groundbreaking approach integrates GIS data with multimedia applications to preserve and share the cultural heritage of Umm ar-Rasas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jordan. The study focuses on the Church of Saint Stephen, leveraging geomatics surveying, geophysics, and historical investigations to create a geo-database and orthophoto of its iconic mosaic floor. This data management system enables both experts and visitors to explore the site's evolution through Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), offering unprecedented insights into its iconographic repertoire and historical significance. The innovation lies in the seamless flow of information across platforms, enhancing dissemination while safeguarding this invaluable heritage.

Volcanoes of Kamchatka

Volcanoes of Kamchatka — 2019 — WHE4C5EDA50A2

In 2013, Kamchatka's volcanic activity was characterized by intense seismic and eruptive events, including the emergence of a new cone at Shiveluch volcano, subplinian eruptions at Kluchevskoy, and renewed activity at Zhupanovsky after a 56-year dormancy. Researchers analyzed near real-time data from seismic, visual, video, and satellite observations to track earthquakes (ranging from KS=1.8 to 8.5) across Northern, Avacha, Mutnovsky-Gorely, and Kizimen groups, documenting energy releases and epicenter distributions. The study highlighted the dynamic nature of Kamchatka's volcanic system, with long-term eruptions at Tolbachik fissure and Kizimen concluding during this period.

Where to Preserve? Evaluating the Integrity Principle for Delineating Protection Scopes of Kaiping Diaolou and Villages

Kaiping Diaolou and Villages — 2019 — WHE3791CC037D

Current preservation efforts at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kaiping Diaolou and Villages may be overlooking critical aspects of cultural value. A quantitative study reveals that existing protection scopes fail to account for the defensive spatial organization of diaolous—multi-story tower dwellings—and their architectural diversity, which are integral to their historical significance. Researchers analyzed 1629 diaolous using GIS-based methods, categorizing them into four defensive region types through principal component and clustering analysis. The findings underscore the need for protection scopes that prioritize both functional distribution and typological integrity, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to heritage conservation.

Without management interventions, endemic wet‐sclerophyll forest is transitioning to rainforest in World Heritage listed K’gari (Fraser Island), Australia

K’gari (Fraser Island) — 2019 — WHE67F487B75B

Wet-sclerophyll forests on K’gari (Fraser Island), Australia, are transitioning to rainforest without management interventions. Research tracking three 0.4-hectare plots over 65 years found that rainforest trees recruited significantly faster than endemic wet-sclerophyll species like Syncarpia hillii and Lophostemon confertus, even under varying disturbance regimes (selective logging, fire, cyclones). Only five L. confertus saplings were detected in the smallest size class by 2017, indicating a decline. The study suggests that more pronounced disturbances or active management—such as fire—may be necessary to conserve this unique ecosystem, emphasizing collaboration with Indigenous landowners for effective conservation strategies.

Women of, for, and at the Wall: A Performative Analysis of Gender Politics at the Western Wall in Jerusalem

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2019 — WHE731908E671

A performative analysis reveals how the Women of the Wall (WoW) and Women for the Wall (W4W) challenge and contest gendered religious practices at the Western Wall, using bodily performances to assert agency and critique traditional norms. The study highlights the impact of surveillance, media, and opposition on WoW's practices, demonstrating how their actions both challenge orthodox standards and expose the complexities of liberal agency in cultural and religious contexts.

World Heritage Canal: Thomas Telford and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal — 2019 — WHEDE249DCD6F

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, designed by Thomas Telford, stands as a testament to engineering innovation during the Industrial Revolution. This study highlights its significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, emphasizing its role in transforming transportation and infrastructure in 19th-century Britain. The research examines the aqueduct's construction challenges, such as its elevated height and the use of cast iron, which set new standards for civil engineering. By analyzing historical records and technical documents, the study underscores how Telford's design integrated aesthetic and functional brilliance, influencing canal engineering globally. Its legacy persists in modern infrastructure projects, reflecting enduring principles of sustainability and efficiency.

World Heritage meets Smart City in an Urban-Educational Hackathon in Rauma

Old Rauma — 2019 — WHE5984FDAAB1

A hackathon can serve as an effective innovation contest method for integrating cultural heritage with modern urban development, particularly in UNESCO World Heritage cities. This study demonstrates that dual-focused (urban and educational) hackathons, when designed with clear objectives and collaborative partnerships—such as those involving higher education institutions and local entrepreneur associations—can produce tangible outputs while addressing both academic and public sector needs. The research highlights the importance of intentional design in achieving goals, a factor often overlooked in descriptive hackathon studies. Through a case study in Rauma, Finland—a city aiming to balance its historic Old Town with smart city initiatives—the study provides insights into the process and outcomes of such events, contributing valuable knowledge for both researchers and policymakers.

World Heritage Site as the place for education: the case of the Gango-ji Temple in Japan

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara — 2019 — WHE50389C59DD

World Heritage Sites serve as dynamic educational platforms, blending tangible and intangible heritage to foster learning. A study on the Gango-ji Temple in Japan's 'Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara' reveals that such sites facilitate social education through interactive experiences. The temple's main hall and exhibition room offer visitors the opportunity to engage with authentic cultural materials, promoting deeper understanding. Staff recommendations suggest a structured approach: studying exhibits for an hour before reflecting in the main hall. This study highlights heritage as an ongoing process where contemporary communities and tourists alike participate in preserving and learning from the past.

‘No past, no future?’ An ICOMOS perspective on cultural heritage and the sustainability agenda

Town of Bamberg — 2018 — WHE4A14B948B4

Bamberg's World Heritage status is not just about preserving its historical significance but also about integrating it with intangible cultural heritage, such as urban gardening traditions, to foster sustainable development. The study highlights how Bamberg addresses environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and peace and security, demonstrating that inclusive social development and economic growth are key outcomes of heritage conservation efforts. Bamberg's high degree of social cohesion and safety further underscores its model for balancing cultural preservation with broader societal benefits. This perspective, rooted in ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) principles, shows that sustainable development can be achieved by connecting tangible and intangible heritage, making it a relevant case for global World Heritage sites.

“A labor of love”: on the perils and seductions of writing about Iran. An Interview with Jill Worrall

The Persian Caravanserai — 2018 — WHE01E6949E45

Jill Worrall's travelogue, Two Wings of a Nightingale: Persian Soul, Islamic Heart, challenges and subverts dominant Orientalist stereotypes about Iran through a deeply personal and immersive narrative. Published in 2011, the book recounts her journey across Iran with her guide, Reza, along ancient caravanserai routes, offering rich insights into Iranian culture, history, literature, and arts. Worrall's work stands out for its attempt to humanize Iran, contrasting with a global publishing industry often complicit in perpetuating dehumanizing narratives about the region. Conducted as an interview in 2016, this discussion sheds light on her writing process, her disillusionment with stereotypical portrayals, and her commitment to presenting authentic, alternative perspectives.

“Do Our Bodies Know Their Ways?” Villagization, Food Insecurity, and Ill-Being in Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley

Lower Valley of the Omo — 2018 — WHE4F86995791

A comparative analysis of food security and well-being in Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley reveals stark discrepancies between quantitative survey data and qualitative ethnographic findings. While surveys suggest better household food access in newly established villagization sites than in non-villagized communities, long-term ethnographic research indicates that villagers rely heavily on food aid due to inadequate irrigated plot allocations, leading to widespread indignity, bodily discomfort, and social disconnection. This tension challenges dominant narratives of development, exposing how state-led resettlement policies may perpetuate impoverishment while claiming progress. The study underscores the limitations of methodologically divergent data in capturing complex socio-economic realities.

“King’s Painter” Tevdore and his inscriptions

Upper Svaneti — 2018 — WHEFFEFDE7F4A

A study of the inscriptions by 'King’s Painter' Tevdore in three churches of Upper Svaneti, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, reveals his elevated status tied to monarchic power. The analysis of textual and visual data shows that Tevdore’s title and spatial placement of inscriptions were strategic, aiming to extend 'royal presence' in this highland region of Georgia. This research provides insights into the social hierarchy and political context of medieval Svaneti, highlighting how artistic embellishment served as a tool for asserting authority. The study combines epigraphic analysis with an examination of spatial constructs to evaluate Tevdore’s role within the broader societal framework.

(Sensuous) Ways of Seeing in Stone Town, Zanzibar: patina, pose, punctum

Stone Town of Zanzibar — 2018 — WHEB4F961D457

This study introduces a novel approach to interpreting the Ranchhod and Rohit Oza vernacular photography collection from Stone Town, Zanzibar (1930–present), challenging conventional historical or cultural readings. By focusing on the medium's characteristics—patina, pose, and punctum—the research offers a 'sensuous' framework that emphasizes incompleteness and visual perception over narrative completeness. This method shifts the interpretation of the Capital Art Studio (CAS) archive away from illustrative history toward an experiential, sensory engagement with the images. The study draws on John Berger's Ways of Seeing to recontextualize how photography is viewed, curated, and analyzed, providing a fresh lens for understanding vernacular visual culture in UNESCO-listed Stone Town.

3D Scanning, Modelling and Printing of Ultra-Thin Nacreous Shells from Jericho: A Case Study of Small Finds Documentation in Archaeology

Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan — 2018 — WHE5A9207F1E4

A groundbreaking approach to documenting ultra-thin, fragile archaeological finds has been successfully demonstrated through 3D scanning and additive manufacturing. Researchers from FabLab Saperi&Co and Sapienza University of Rome achieved sub-millimetric precision in replicating five nacreous shells from ancient Jericho (Tell es-Sultan), showcasing the potential of photogrammetry and 3D printing for preserving and studying delicate artifacts. This method not only facilitates the creation of faithful replicas but also offers new avenues for research and museum activities, particularly for small finds that are often overlooked due to their fragility.