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Publications

Showing 14041 – 14060 of 15962 publications

An exploratory survey method for archaeoastronomy, applied to standing stones at the hauviri and taputapuātea maraes, Ra'iātea

Taputapuātea — 2018 — WHE180777DAF8

A systematic survey method for archaeoastronomical research, applied to standing stones at the Hauviri and Taputapuātea maraes in Ra’iātea, has identified a potential alignment with significant navigational stars during the Matariki season around AD1250. This finding suggests that the stones may serve as an analogue 'star compass,' guiding voyages or commemorating important celestial events. The method, designed for rapid, low-cost data collection, provides accurate azimuth comparisons and rich positional data, enabling further in-depth analysis. While the study confirms one specific scenario deserving deeper investigation, it also establishes a benchmark dataset for future research on Polynesian archaeoastronomy.

Anthropomorphic sculptures (idols) of Putorana plateau

Putorana Plateau — 2018 — WHE139307AEF0

Anthropomorphic sculptures (idols) on the Putorana Plateau, crafted from larch trunks without roots, are likely of Evenki origin and served as soul-keeper statues, reflecting a complex blend of indigenous religious beliefs. These idols, left behind by the Evenkis and Dolgans during their transition from nomadic to sedentary lifestyles, represent a material manifestation of historical idolatry systems. The study, combining ethnographic and geographical methods with informant data, confirmed that these sculptures were not portable and played a significant cultural role for native minorities. The research also highlights the enduring superstitions and traditions among modern Evenkis and Dolgans, integrating elements of Yakut, Nganasan beliefs, and Christianity.

Appraisal of Opportunities and Perspectives for the Systematic Condition Assessment of Heritage Sites with Copernicus Sentinel-2 High-Resolution Multispectral Imagery

Archaeological Site of Cyrene — 2018 — WHEE6701F5A3A

Copernicus Sentinel-2 high-resolution multispectral imagery (10 m resolution) demonstrates significant potential for systematic condition assessment of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, enabling accurate detection and tracking of changes in textural properties and surface reflectance linked to conservation-relevant events. The study highlights its capability to identify single local incidents—such as wall collapses in Aleppo’s Old City—and map recurrent threats like archaeological looting in Apamea (Syria) through long-term image time series analysis. Leveraging Sentinel-2’s 5-day revisiting frequency and 290 km swath, researchers also mapped urban sprawl across Cyrene (Libya) and coastal Greek sites, offering a scalable approach for multi-temporal heritage monitoring. Validation with very high-resolution imagery underscores its utility in pre-launch trend analysis, positioning Sentinel-2 as a transformative tool for large-scale, comparative assessments when paired with advanced machine learning techniques.

Archaeological Heritage Management at the Memphis and its Necropolis World Heritage Site

Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur — 2018 — WHE18815A049F

Archaeological heritage management at the Memphis and its Necropolis World Heritage Site faces significant challenges, including partial implementation of the site's management plan due to financial constraints. A case study using structured questionnaires revealed limited strategies for boosting visitor numbers and a need for better resource allocation. Centralized management requires restructuring, with recommendations for developing an integrated management plan and potentially creating a dedicated entity to oversee the site. Enhancing visitor understanding and experience also emerges as a critical area for improvement.

Armenian Medieval Architecture along Boundary Akhurian River. French Researches in Turkey and Armenia

Archaeological Site of Ani — 2018 — WHE66D4E50160

A French archaeological team's 15-year study of fortified sites and ruined churches along the Akhurian River, which now serves as a modern border between Turkey and Armenia, has uncovered new interpretations of Ani's ancient history. The research, focusing on less-studied monuments in the Shirak region, revealed that despite conflicts and the decline of commerce, the area remained prosperous during the 12th and 13th centuries. This work also facilitated collaboration with Armenian scholars, shedding light on the region's medieval architecture and historical significance.

Arriving at Corfu

Old Town of Corfu — 2018 — WHEC4FF80CBD3

Corfu's unique beauty stems from its distinctive atmospheric clarity and vibrant color palette, setting it apart from other Mediterranean islands. Unlike the hazy landscapes of Italy or the stark transparency of northern New England, Corfu's air offers a rare combination of luminosity and chromatic intensity—mountains bathed in lilac, violet plains, and crimson peaks—enhanced by the Ionian Sea's unparalleled blue. This phenomenon, described as 'pellucid' by Euripides, creates an overstimulating yet invigorating environment that affects both the landscape and human perception. The study contrasts Corfu with other iconic sites like Capri, highlighting its dual attributes of color saturation and atmospheric transparency, which distinguish it as a singularly breathtaking World Heritage Site.

Automatic Mosaic Digitalization: a Deep Learning approach to tessera segmentation

Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) — 2018 — WHEB13825D1D2

A deep learning approach successfully automates the segmentation of mosaic tesserae, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy over manual methods. This technique, applied to the mosaic floor of the Church of St. Stephen at Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a), demonstrates high reliability in identifying non-homogeneous tesserae, a critical step for digital mosaic analysis. The method enables automatic cataloging, figure extraction, geolocalization, and semantic interpretation, addressing longstanding challenges in mosaic research. Experimental results on the collected dataset validate its effectiveness, offering a robust solution for large-scale mosaic digitization.

Białowieża Forest: A new threat

Białowieża Forest — 2018 — WHED692E318A2

Extensive logging in Poland's Białowieża Forest, one of Europe's last primeval forests and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was ruled illegal by the European Court of Justice after years of controversy. The decision marked a significant milestone in protecting this unique ecosystem, which is home to rare species like the European bison and serves as a critical carbon sink. The study highlights the legal challenges and international scrutiny faced by conservation efforts in the face of industrial activities, underscoring the importance of strict regulatory frameworks to safeguard biodiversity and ecological integrity in such vulnerable regions.

Bite marks on the frill of a juvenile Centrosaurus from the Late Cretaceous Dinosaur Provincial Park Formation, Alberta, Canada

Dinosaur Provincial Park — 2018 — WHE236F8FB4B2

A rare fossil discovery reveals bite marks on the frill of a juvenile Centrosaurus, a ceratopsian dinosaur, from the Late Cretaceous Dinosaur Provincial Park Formation in Alberta. This is the first documented evidence of carnivore interaction with a juvenile ceratopsid, offering insights into predator-prey dynamics or scavenging behavior during the Late Cretaceous period. The study suggests that small-bodied theropods, such as dromaeosaurs or juvenile tyrannosaurs, are likely tracemakers, though definitive identification remains challenging due to limited fossil evidence of such interactions.

Buddhist Learning in South Asia

Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar — 2018 — WHEEDC5E36E56

Contrary to nationalist narratives, Sri Nalanda Mahavihara was fundamentally a Buddhist monastery and institution of learning, not merely an international university. This interdisciplinary study challenges conventional perceptions by analyzing its educational curricula, pedagogy, teachers, and students, while emphasizing its role in the study and promotion of Buddhism. Through detailed historical and academic analysis, the research reveals Nalanda's structured management, academic life, and religious influence, providing a nuanced understanding of its significance in South Asian Buddhist learning.

Camera traps as a tool for Carnivore conservation in a mosaic of Protected Areas in the Pantanal wetlands, Brazil

Pantanal Conservation Area — 2018 — WHE1DE8534620

Camera trapping revealed the presence of eight carnivore species, including endangered jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in the Pantanal wetlands' Amolar Mountain Ridge Network. The study identified distinct activity patterns: jaguars and pumas exhibited cathemeral behavior, while ocelots and crab-eating foxes were primarily nocturnal, and Southern coatis and jaguarundis were diurnal. Despite challenges in detecting scansorial or low-density species like tayras (Eira barbara) and crab-eating raccoons (Procyon cancrivorus), camera trapping proved effective for studying carnivores and their prey in this mosaic of protected areas, providing critical data to inform conservation strategies.

Carrying capacity of Peucang Island for ecotourism management in Ujung Kulon National Park

Ujung Kulon National Park — 2018 — WHE6F7443F9A5

Peucang Island in Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP) supports ecotourism with significant but differentiated carrying capacities. Research reveals that the Karang Copong jungle trail can accommodate 20,000 visitors daily under Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC), 4,838 under Real Carrying Capacity (RCC), and a mere 6 under Effective Carrying Capacity (ECC). Biological observations indicate vegetation damage and altered animal behavior along the trail. Beach suitability assessments classify two sites as suitable and six as highly suitable for tourism, with capacities ranging from 27 to 70 visitors daily. Current visitor numbers exceed ECC thresholds but remain within PCC and RCC limits, highlighting urgent need for sustainable management to preserve ecological integrity.

Case Studies in Large-Scale Archaeological Site Conservation and Management in China: The Liangzhu, Yin Xu, and Han Yangling Sites

Yin Xu — 2018 — WHECCF152946E

China's large-scale archaeological site conservation projects, including those at Yin Xu, demonstrate adaptive governance strategies to address urbanization and natural disaster threats while balancing social, economic, and ecological needs. The study identifies how government agencies restructure existing mechanisms to meet these challenges, highlighting the importance of stakeholder responsibility in local development contexts. Through a combination of literature review and field research, the authors analyze case studies such as Liangzhu, Yin Xu, and Han Yangling to provide insights into effective conservation practices for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Challenges in the Management of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Republic of Croatia

Plitvice Lakes National Park — 2018 — WHE9547D5F388

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia's oldest and largest protected area, faces significant challenges despite its high conservation status and UNESCO World Heritage designation. A SWOT analysis reveals that while the park excels in biodiversity conservation, investments, and workforce, it struggles with visitor overload in a small area, lack of management plans for tourism, education, or marketing, and threats like inadequate water supply infrastructure and excessive construction near villages. Opportunities lie in leveraging its protected status and strong financial health to adopt sustainable tourism practices, develop educational programs, and implement long-term management strategies—provided these efforts remain politically neutral and continuous. This study underscores the need for strategic, resilient management to ensure Plitvice Lakes remains a benchmark for conservation and tourism excellence.

Changes in Lightning Fire Incidence in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, 1980–2016

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2018 — WHE124475D53E

A significant increase in lightning-caused fires has been observed in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) since 2000, with no corresponding changes in rainfall, soil dryness, or fuel load. Instead, the variability and mean of the driest conditions have predicted both the number and area of these fires, suggesting that a higher proportion of lightning strikes occurring during drier periods has enhanced ignition efficiency. This shift poses substantial challenges for heritage management, as projected increases in fuel loads and drier climates could further exacerbate fire incidence, threatening the site's globally significant natural and cultural values.

Characterization and damage assessment of stones used in the Pasargadae World Heritage Site, Achaemenian period

Pasargadae — 2018 — WHED7BDEAD642

Research at Pasargadae, an Achaemenian period UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals that the site's architectural stones—previously classified by color (beige, dark-gray, and green-gray)—are distinct limestones with varying textures. Two types exhibit a compact structure, while the third is notably porous. Petrochemical analysis identified dolomite in some beige stone samples, though no salt was detected as a potential decay factor. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pinpointed calcite crystal dissolution as a primary cause of deterioration in dark-gray and green-gray stones. These findings provide critical insights for tailoring conservation strategies to preserve Pasargadae's historic integrity.

Climatic Signal in Earlywood and Latewood in Conifer Forests in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve — 2018 — WHE7CEFEFFC3A

Tree ring analysis reveals that the growth of conifer species Abies religiosa and Pinus pseudostrobus in Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is highly sensitive to seasonal climate variations. Precipitation during late autumn (October-December) and spring (January-May) positively influences their growth, while higher mean maximum temperatures negatively impact it. Notably, A. religiosa shows greater sensitivity to temperature changes compared to P. pseudostrobus, with its earlywood and latewood growth positively correlated with monthly minimum temperatures. The study suggests that future warmer and drier climates could severely reduce the growth of A. religiosa, potentially threatening the overwintering habitat of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus L.). This research underscores the vulnerability of these conifer forests to climate change, highlighting their ecological importance.

Cloud-Based Flora Repository System with Geo-Location Mapping for Mt. Hamiguitan Sanctuary Exploration

Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary — 2018 — WHEFB99681FFE

A cloud-based flora repository system with geo-location mapping has been developed to enhance the exploration and conservation of Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique pygmy 'bonsai' forest. This innovative system, accessible via a mobile application named HAGO (Hamiguitan-Go), allows users to geotag plant species encountered during hikes using their smartphone's GPS and camera, storing verified images and details in an online repository. The application also enables users to locate specific plants on interactive maps, facilitating both tourism and research while supporting conservation efforts. The system leverages participatory sensing to collect data, though further development and field experiments are needed for full functionality.

Communicating archaeological heritage

Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley — 2018 — WHEDAA0DD3AC4

Archaeological heritage communication often prioritizes expert perspectives, but this study reveals that local communities' viewpoints are equally vital for humanistic insights and connecting the past to contemporary society. Through in-depth interviews with 20 representatives from diverse local groups in Lenggong Valley, Malaysia—including village heads and elders—the research uncovers how communities define and relate to heritage. The findings highlight a multilayered dimension of archaeological heritage that is deeply intertwined with modern social, cultural, and psychological contexts. Incorporating these broader dimensions into communication strategies could foster greater public interest and appreciation by making heritage more relevant and relatable.

Comoé National Park – a refuge for critically endangered vulture species in West Africa

Comoé National Park — 2018 — WHE9844410FBB

Comoé National Park (CNP) in northeastern Côte d'Ivoire serves as a critical refuge for five vulture species, including the critically endangered Whiteheaded Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis). The park's diverse savannah-forest mosaic and gallery forests along major rivers provide essential habitats for these birds. A long-term study conducted between 1994 and 2000, totaling approximately 24 months of fieldwork, documented the presence and frequency of these species, highlighting CNP's ecological significance in West Africa. The research underscores the park's role as a stronghold for vulture conservation, particularly for threatened species facing decline elsewhere in the region.