World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 14581 – 14600 of 15962 publications

Walking to care

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range — 2017 — WHE5AADE1C0A2

A community of care emerges through slow tourism on the Kumano-kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed pilgrimage trail in Japan's Kii Mountain Range. This study reveals that walking-based tourism fosters environmentally aware behavior and local engagement, with stakeholders—including walkers and communities—adopting mindful, low-impact practices. These include volunteer restoration and storytelling, aligning with the principles of slow tourism: locally rooted, deliberate, and sustainable. The research identifies stakeholder roles and proposes standards for such tourism, demonstrating how pilgrimage trails can cultivate ecological consciousness while strengthening community bonds.

What the Bricks Tell Us from a Temple at Burkhan Khaldun Mountains: Chronological Insights from pIRIR Luminescence

Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain and its surrounding sacred landscape — 2017 — WHEE15F87CC57

A groundbreaking study leverages post-IR infrared luminescence (pIRIR) to date bricks from the Buddhist temple ruins at Burkhan Khaldun Mountains, Mongolia, revealing their manufacturing period between 1230±50 AD and 1280±40 AD. This aligns with the era of extensive construction in Karakorum, offering chronological insights into the region's architectural history. The research applied both coarse and polymineral fine grain techniques to feldspar, distinguishing it from previous methods. Additionally, the study compared mineralogical compositions of bricks from various temple sites, including those in Karakorum and Erdene Zuu, enhancing our understanding of historical brick production and trade.

When theory and practice clash: participatory governance and management in Takht-e Soleyman

Takht-e Soleyman — 2017 — WHEC4F4D6C577

This study reveals a significant gap between international theories and national policies on participatory governance and the actual implementation of these approaches at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly in rural cultural landscapes like Takht-e Soleyman. The research highlights challenges in aligning management practices with theoretical values, emphasizing the need for locally tailored strategies. Using a combination of theoretical analysis, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, and large-scale surveys of local populations, the study provides a detailed examination of governance mechanisms at Takht-e Soleyman. It underscores the importance of adapting participatory management systems to local features while maintaining consistency with broader policies.

Whose Castle is it Anyway?: Local/Global Negotiations of a Shakespearean Location

Kronborg Castle — 2017 — WHEE0BF0A8898

Kronborg Castle, associated with Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' faces a cultural identity crisis where its fictional reputation overshadows its historical significance. Marketed as 'Hamlet’s Castle' and Elsinore as the 'Home of Hamlet,' the castle's global recognition is driven more by Shakespearean tourism than Danish heritage. This study reveals how Kronborg's identity has been reshaped over two centuries through international Shakespearean performances, reflecting evolving ideologies. It also questions how this identity may adapt amid rising nationalism in Europe and worldwide. The research employs a qualitative approach, analyzing naming conventions, performance traditions, and ideological shifts to explore the tension between local heritage and global cultural narratives.

Whose Prehistory? Thailand before the Thais

Ban Chiang Archaeological Site — 2017 — WHEA1FB0BD0F5

Archaeological investigations at Ban Chiang, northeast Thailand, revealed significant Neolithic and Bronze Age sites that challenged French colonial theories of cultural diffusion. These findings, uncovered by joint Thai-American missions in the 1960s–70s, were intertwined with Cold War politics, leading to extensive artifact transfers, including to The University Museum, Philadelphia. Ban Chiang later gained UNESCO World Heritage status but remains peripherally remembered in Thai cultural memory despite its archaeological significance.

Woody habitats promote pollinators and complexity of plant–pollinator interactions in homegardens located in rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras — 2017 — WHEA1B007A9FE

Woody habitats significantly enhance bee diversity and abundance, as well as the complexity of plant-pollinator interactions in homegardens within the UNESCO-listed Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras. The study found that wild bee richness was higher in gardens surrounded by woody areas compared to those farther from woodlands, while bee abundance increased with greater flower cover. Wild bees were also more active on cultivated plants than domesticated bees (Apis cerana), contributing to 76% of total flower visits. Pollinator-plant networks were more intricate in gardens near woody habitats, highlighting the ecological importance of preserving and restoring such landscapes for sustainable pollination services in smallholder agricultural systems.

World Heritage as a placebo brand: a comparative analysis of three sites and marketing implications

Studenica Monastery — 2017 — WHE0003AE661E

A comparative analysis of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Studenica Monastery (Serbia), Independence Hall (USA), and Volubilis (Morocco)—reveals that the World Heritage brand may function as a placebo, with visitors showing higher awareness but no significant motivation tied to it. Survey data from 771 participants across these sites identified distinct visitor clusters, suggesting that the WH designation's appeal is more politically driven than economically beneficial. This challenges the assumption that the WH List is a powerful tourism driver, potentially posing long-term risks for site sustainability and local livelihoods dependent on tourism.

World Heritage Conservation

Central Amazon Conservation Complex — 2017 — WHE649CC7435F

World Heritage Conservation emerges as a pivotal interdisciplinary field, leveraging the UNESCO World Heritage Convention to foster sustainable development and global dialogue. The convention, rooted in the principles of outstanding universal value and international cooperation, provides a robust framework for the protection and management of culturally and naturally significant sites worldwide. This book critically examines strategies for implementing the convention and heritage governance processes, offering insights that are applicable across diverse disciplines. It highlights the growing globalization of heritage and the need for inclusive debates, common tools, and shared understanding to address conservation challenges effectively. With over a thousand inscribed properties, from biodiverse regions like the Central Amazon Conservation Complex to urban landscapes such as Rio de Janeiro, this work serves as an essential resource for students, researchers, and professionals engaged in heritage identification, protection, and presentation.

XIII–XIV amžiaus Kernavės keramika

Kernavė Archaeological Site (Cultural Reserve of Kernavė) — 2017 — WHE06F625AC46

Analysis of medieval pottery from Kernavė (13th–14th centuries) reveals the role and evolution of ceramic production in early urban society. By examining technological, morphological, and ornamental properties, researchers identified stylistic vessel groups and traced their dispersion, providing insights into functional significance and development over time and space.

О работе международного семинара «Мониторинг объектов всемирного наследия ЮНЕСКО: опыт Российской Федерации и стран СНГ»

Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex — 2017 — WHE2F7FD2AA43

An international workshop on UNESCO World Heritage monitoring, held at the Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex in 2017, brought together experts from Russia, CIS countries, and abroad to exchange experiences in preserving cultural heritage sites. The event focused on monitoring techniques for World Heritage and preliminary list monuments, particularly assessing the condition of Bolgar and other Tatarstan sites while preparing proposals for new UNESCO listings. A key outcome was the establishment of the Association of World Heritage Experts of the CIS and Eastern Europe, aiming to strengthen regional collaboration in heritage conservation.

'Value in Change': What do World Heritage Nominations Bring to Chinese World Heritage Sites?

Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun — 2016 — WHE06E2F73D37

World Heritage listing transforms the values and meanings of Chinese heritage sites, primarily to align with UNESCO's Eurocentric criteria, but also augments local pride and cultural exchange. Contrary to fears that tourism commodifies heritage, this study finds that mass tourism can positively influence site values when locals engage in dialogue with visitors. Using case studies of West Lake (Hangzhou) and Xidi-Hongcun (Anhui), interviews with officials, managers, tourists, and residents revealed that while government-controlled tourism limits meaningful interactions, locally managed heritage tourism enhances cultural sharing. The research challenges assumptions about the negative impacts of tourism on heritage values, instead highlighting its potential to strengthen local identity and pride.

‘When Going to Saint James’: An Old Russian Graffito from the 12th Century in Aquitania

Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) — 2016 — WHE0064F5CABF

A significant epigraphic discovery from the 12th century provides direct evidence of Russian pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela. An Old Russian graffito, inscribed by Ivan Zavidovich on the wall of St. Vivien church in Pons (France), reads: 'Ivan Zavidovich wrote this when going to Saint James.' The inscription, dated to the 1160s–1180s, is the second such finding in France and offers valuable insights into medieval pilgrimage routes and cultural exchanges between Eastern Europe and Western Christendom. The study combines palaeographic analysis with historical context, linking the name Zavidovich to Novgorod boyars and highlighting the shrine's prominence in Old Russia.

”At præsentere sig selv” – Stifterfigurerne i Naumburg og psykehistorie

Naumburg Cathedral — 2016 — WHEC16A52C498

A novel interpretation of the Naumburg Cathedral's founder statues reveals their stylistic and psychological significance within medieval art. The study proposes that these lifelike yet historically inaccurate sculptures reflect a psychogenetic dialectic, shaped by courtly culture's educational ideals and its interplay with religious thought. By reidentifying the Sizzo figure and analyzing the Naumburg Master's rhetorical techniques, the research situates this ensemble as a visual representation of emerging Gothic style, blending medieval and ancient influences. This approach suggests that the statues' expressions and relationships symbolize a new 'mental architecture,' marking a shift in artistic and cultural paradigms during the 12th century.

Our land is our voice: First Nation heritage-making in the Tr’ondëk/Klondike

Tr’ondëk-Klondike — 2016 — WHE331ECA9C78

First Nations communities, such as the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in of northwestern Canada, have employed heritage-making strategies to assert territorial sovereignty and preserve cultural identity amid settler colonialism. This study highlights how the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, through treaty advocacy, cultural expression, and support for residential school survivors, have resisted Western heritage narratives while adapting their own traditions. The research demonstrates that continuous heritage-making enables Indigenous communities to navigate modernity while maintaining autonomy and identity. Approaches included analyzing historical records, interviews, and cultural instruments developed by the community.

Palaeoamyda messeliananov. comb. (Testudines, Pan-Trionychidae) from the Eocene Messel Pit and Geiseltal localities, Germany, taxonomic and phylogenetic insights

Messel Pit Fossil Site — 2016 — WHEA716592F1E

A new combination, Palaeoamyda messeliana nov. comb., is proposed for soft-shell turtle specimens from the Eocene Messel Pit and Geiseltal localities in Germany, previously attributed to Trionyx messelianus or Rafetoides austriacus. This species is revealed as a sister taxon to the extant Asian soft-shell turtle Amyda cartilaginea, both belonging to the clade Chitrini. The study describes five well-preserved specimens, providing a revised diagnosis and integrating phylogenetic insights into Pan-Trionychidae. These fossils represent some of the most complete pan-trionychid skeletons known, offering significant taxonomic and evolutionary perspectives on this group.

Perestroika to Parkland: The Evolution of Land Protection in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan

Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) — 2016 — WHE0F4FE00BC4

Tajik National Park, located in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan, has undergone significant transformation from a depopulated landscape during Stalin's era to a thriving protected area. The study highlights that the park's establishment in 1992 and its subsequent designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 were driven by a combination of natural resilience and human advocacy. The research, based on field and archival data, traces the evolution of land protection from Soviet restrictions to post-perestroika migration and conservation efforts. It also identifies the park's potential for transboundary conservation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, aligning with the Man and the Biosphere model.

24.000 ha de paduri primare de fag, propunerea Romaniei pentru Patrimoniul Mondial UNESCO

Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe — 2016 — WHE8C6D3E5AD1

Romania's proposal to extend the UNESCO World Heritage List with approximately 24,000 hectares of primeval beech forests, located across eight protected areas in the Romanian Carpathians, aims to create a transnational serial property encompassing over 95,000 hectares. This initiative, supported by 13 European countries and coordinated by Austria, seeks to illustrate the ecological process of beech expansion across Europe. The selected sites were chosen to complement existing World Heritage properties and provide a more comprehensive representation of the species' distribution. The nomination, submitted in January 2016, reflects a collaborative effort to highlight the ecological significance and conservation value of these ancient forests.

3D Documentation of 40 Kilometers of Historical Porticoes – The Challenge

The Porticoes of Bologna — 2016 — WHE8CF8C0D05E

Terrestrial photogrammetry emerged as the optimal method for 3D documentation of Bologna's 40-kilometer historical porticoes, offering unmatched flexibility and productivity. This approach generates high-precision colored point clouds and textured 3D meshes, crucial for the porticoes' potential UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) candidacy. The study evaluated multiple surveying techniques, ultimately selecting photogrammetry for its ability to deliver detailed digital products accessible online. These 3D models serve as complementary documentation, bridging historical preservation with modern digital archiving.

A digital analysis of the experimental accelerometers data used for buildings dynamical identification

Old Town of Corfu — 2016 — WHED0E6B0157F

A digital analysis of accelerometer data has provided new insights into the structural dynamics of historical buildings, specifically the Renaissance-style 'San Giacomo' structure in Corfu's Old Town. The study employed advanced signal processing techniques to analyze data collected from strategically placed accelerometers on the building's walls, aiming to identify its dynamic behavior. This approach offers a non-invasive method for monitoring the integrity and response of artistic and historical structures to environmental factors, which is crucial for their preservation. By examining a database of signals acquired through these sensors, researchers have demonstrated the potential of digital signal processing in structural health monitoring, contributing valuable data for the conservation efforts of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Corfu's Old Town.

A high-precision chronological model for the decorated Upper Paleolithic cave of Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche, France

Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche — 2016 — WHE4D62AC9577

A high-precision chronological model for the Chauvet-Pont d'Arc Cave reveals that its rock art and human activities date back to approximately 36,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest known decorated caves in Europe. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the timing of early human artistic expression. The study compiled over 250 radiocarbon dates from rock art, human activities, and bone remains, providing a detailed calendar-year timeline for both human and cave bear occupations during the Paleolithic period. By integrating multiple dating techniques and statistical modeling, researchers reconstructed the sequence of events that occurred in the cave, offering unprecedented insights into early human behavior and cultural practices.