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How to ‘Enlighten’ museum visitors: Curating Derby Museum’s Enlightenment Exhibition

Derwent Valley Mills — 2013 — WHEC37C4BDE49

Curating museum exhibitions effectively to engage visitors with historical objects is challenging, especially when balancing the need for informative interpretation without overwhelming or boring audiences. The 'Enlightenment' exhibition at Derby Museums (2013) tackled this by displaying 18th-century objects—such as trade-related items and natural history artifacts—in a way that highlighted their significance while maintaining visitor interest. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project involved three institutions (Derby Museums, Buxton Museum, and Strutt’s North Mill) to enrich collections and contextualize Derbyshire's Enlightenment period within the UNESCO-listed Derwent Valley Mills site. The exhibition aimed to link objects like a polar bear plate to themes of trade, fashion, and natural history, demonstrating how strategic curation can bridge academic depth and public engagement.

Images des Juifs à Vézelay : entre condamnation et conversion

Vézelay, Church and Hill — 2013 — WHE91D0F1FD0E

At Vézelay, the sculpted images of Jews reflect a unique duality—simultaneously condemning and offering redemption. This ambivalence, likely influenced by Pierre de Montboissier, challenges the Western Christian notion of 'Otherness' that equated non-Christians with infidels. The study reveals how the abbey’s iconography at Sainte-Marie-Madeleine presents Jews as part of a broader redeemable community, akin to pagans, if they embrace conversion. This oscillation between blame and salvation is embedded in the Romanesque stonework, illustrating the tension between communal identity (oratores, laboratores, bellatores) and individual agency in medieval society.

Including development topics in a cultural heritage management plan: Mercury heritage in Idrija

Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija — 2013 — WHEC5B6846752

A participatory process has successfully integrated mercury heritage into the development strategy of Idrija, Slovenia, demonstrating its potential as a key driver for municipal growth while preserving authenticity. The study highlights the importance of inclusive planning that engages all stakeholders and bridges sectoral divides to ensure sustainable and harmonious development. This approach, developed through collaborative efforts, sets a precedent for balancing heritage conservation with economic progress in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Influence of stone quarries on groundwater quality and health in Fatehpur Sikri, India

Fatehpur Sikri — 2013 — WHECE6E08E933

Stone quarries significantly degrade groundwater quality and pose health risks in Fatehpur Sikri, India. Research reveals elevated fluoride levels (1.7–3.8 mg/l in shallow aquifers) near quarries, linked to dental and skeletal fluorosis. While deep aquifers are more saline overall, shallow ones exhibit higher concentrations of hazardous chemicals like Na+, K+, Cl−, and F−. The study, based on water samples collected in 2012–2013, demonstrates that quarrying activities directly and indirectly contaminate groundwater, exacerbating salinity and fluoride levels—especially near active quarries. This finding underscores the environmental and public health consequences of unregulated quarrying in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Interpreting historic and cultural landscapes.: Potentials and risks in Geographical Information Systems building for knowledge and management

Residences of the Royal House of Savoy — 2013 — WHE6FEAA35CBA

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can effectively support the management of UNESCO World Heritage Sites by integrating multidisciplinary landscape analysis, but risks of ambiguity arise when combining descriptive and management-oriented data. A study on the 'Residences of the Royal House of Savoy' demonstrates that GIS must balance holistic interpretative layers with precise spatial representation to facilitate connections beyond administrative boundaries. The approach highlights historic, scenic, and environmental relationships while addressing challenges in geographical representation.

Interpreting Reasons: The Interpretation of the 1962 Temple of Preah Vihear Judgment

Temple of Preah Vihear — 2013 — WHE2202A2AFE7

A landmark 2013 interpretation by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on its 1962 judgment regarding the Temple of Preah Vihear revealed a shift toward greater flexibility in revisiting judicial reasoning under Article 60 of the ICJ Statute. While the Court reaffirmed its strict approach to interpreting previous judgments, it also disavowed a narrow definition of 'inseparable' reasons from operative clauses and acknowledged that 'essential' elements could be subject to reinterpretation. This suggests potential future flexibility in how the Court handles such requests, balancing stability in international relations with adaptability. The study argues that intermediate conclusions from prior judgments should remain open to interpretation under Article 60, challenging traditional legal boundaries.

Introduction. Zephaniah Kingsley Jr. And the Atlantic World

Island of Gorée — 2013 — WHE3CE6C76736

Zephaniah Kingsley Jr. (1765–1843), a transatlantic figure with ties to the Island of Gorée, stands out for his complex legacy as a slave trader, plantation owner, and advocate for manumission. His life bridges England, South Carolina, and Canada, culminating in a controversial yet transformative role in Haiti. A key discovery is the documentation of his unorthodox marital arrangements, including his relationship with Anta Majigeen Ndiaye, a Wolof woman from Senegal who was enslaved at age 13 after her village was raided. Purchased by Kingsley in Havana in 1806 and emancipated in Florida in 1811, Anta became a planter and slave owner herself, challenging traditional narratives of the era. The study reconstructs this transatlantic journey, from Gorée to Cuba and Florida, using historical records to illuminate the intersections of slavery, power, and agency in Kingsley's life.

Invaders of pollination networks in the Galápagos Islands: emergence of novel communities

Galápagos Islands — 2013 — WHEFCB2D7E202

Alien species, particularly insects, are significantly reshaping pollination networks in the Galápagos Islands, increasing network stability while potentially introducing vulnerabilities. The study found that 20% of species (60 plants and 220 pollinators) were aliens, involved in 38% of interactions, with alien insects like dipterans, hymenopterans, and lepidopterans forming more links than native or non-endemic species. These invaders acted as 'island hubs,' infiltrated all network modules, and accounted for 38% of connectors, enhancing network cohesiveness. While this may increase resistance to species loss, it could also heighten susceptibility to diseases. The research analyzed data from five Galápagos islands, revealing profound structural changes in pollination networks due to invasions.

Invasive mikania in Chitwan National Park, Nepal: the threat to the greater one-horned rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis and factors driving the invasion

Chitwan National Park — 2013 — WHEE075E68F03

Invasive mikania (Mikania micrantha) poses a significant threat to the greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. The study found that 44% of surveyed habitats are infested with mikania, with nearly 15% exhibiting high infestation levels (>50% coverage). Riverine forests, tall grasslands, and wetlands—habitats critical for rhinoceros survival—show the highest densities of this invasive plant. Anthropogenic activities, particularly annual grassland burning (25–50% of the park's area) and natural resource collection by local communities, are key drivers of mikania spread. The research highlights the urgent need for management strategies to control burning, mitigate spread, and promote sustainable resource use practices among local communities.

Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus Desmarest 1822) Utilization Distribution and Habitat Selection in Ujung Kulon National Park

Ujung Kulon National Park — 2013 — WHE6811AD5A9F

Javan rhinos (Rhinoceros sondaicus) exhibit strong habitat preferences within Ujung Kulon National Park, favoring swampy shrub and open shrubland areas with low to slight slopes. They also prefer proximity to water sources, road networks, coasts, wallowing sites, and rumpang (dense vegetation). This study, using utilization distribution models, identified key habitat characteristics that could guide conservation efforts outside the park to mitigate threats like poaching and natural disasters.

La alta montaña pirenaica: génesis y configuración holocena de un paisaje cultural: Estudio paleoambiental en el valle del Madriu-Perafita-Claror (Andorra)

Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley — 2013 — WHE02AEF048C0

A groundbreaking study on the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Pyrenees, reveals that social, economic, and cultural factors have significantly shaped the highland landscape since the Neolithic period. By integrating palaeoenvironmental data—including pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, and macrocharcoal analysis from natural basins—with archaeological findings, researchers identified distinct phases of landscape variability linked to human land-use practices. This interdisciplinary approach provides a rare long-term perspective on how European high mountains have evolved under the influence of human activity, offering insights into the complex interplay between culture and environment in high-altitude regions.

Landscape Culture: Ansel Adams and Mary Austin's Taos Pueblo

Taos Pueblo — 2013 — WHE4F2628DCA2

This study examines the interplay between modernist and regionalist aesthetics through the collaboration between Ansel Adams and Mary Austin on the 1930 photobook Taos Pueblo. It reveals how Adams's shift from pictorialism to a straight photographic style, characterized by clean lines and deep focus, contrasted with Austin's expectations for a more traditional representation of artistic genius. The analysis highlights that modernism and regionalism were mutually constitutive in the early-to-mid 20th century, challenging the notion that they were antithetical movements. The research approach involves comparing Adams's portrait of Austin to his earlier work on Robinson Jeffers, as well as examining the layout and symbolic significance of the photographs within their respective publications.

Landslide susceptibility assessment by using a neuro-fuzzy model: a case study in the Rupestrian heritage rich area of Matera

The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera — 2013 — WHEA7BCB1FD17

A novel neuro-fuzzy model successfully mapped landslide susceptibility in the UNESCO-listed Natural Archaeological Park of Matera, Italy. This approach combined neural network training with fuzzy logic to analyze slope instability parameters—such as curvature, elevation, lithology, and fracture density—and produced a high-accuracy susceptibility map validated through ROC analysis, confusion matrix, and SCAI methods. The model outperformed traditional techniques by integrating sensitivity analysis to address uncertainties in membership functions, offering a robust tool for heritage risk assessment in complex, rupestrian landscapes.

Large- and Medium-Sized Mammal Survey Using Camera Traps in the Sikre River in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve — 2013 — WHEE76B0EE749

A camera-trap survey along the Sikre River in Honduras' Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve revealed a rich diversity of large and medium-sized mammals, including threatened species like the giant anteater. The study recorded 14 mammal, three bird, and one reptile species over 2,040 trap-nights, with the Baird's tapir being the most frequently captured. Notably, pumas and ocelots were documented multiple times, while a single jaguar photograph from a prior survey suggested its presence. Unlike the pine savanna, where no animals were recorded, broad-leaf forest areas hosted significant biodiversity, comparable to other Central and South American sites. This highlights the Sikre River's importance as a conservation priority within the reserve.

Las Domus de Janas Sardas. Proyección de la “Religión” y Proyección de la Estabilidad

Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas — 2013 — WHE0DDF56D5C9

A new interpretation of Sardinia's domus de janas, ancient funerary structures, suggests that animal representations and architectural decorations serve a broader social function beyond religious symbolism. These figures likely originated as 'trophies' displayed in homes, reflecting their role in wealth accumulation, production, and social status. The study proposes that while these animals may have been later divinized, their primary purpose was to project stability and justify societal structures through ideological means. This challenges previous assumptions about the religious significance of these depictions.

Lessons from a lost technology: The secrets of Roman concrete

Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct) — 2013 — WHE8AD852242E

Roman concrete, renowned for its durability and use in iconic structures like the Pont du Gard aqueduct and the Colosseum, harbors a hidden secret: the mineral al-tobermorite. This discovery, detailed by Jackson et al. (2013), reveals that Roman seawater concrete undergoes a unique chemical process over time, forming this stable mineral which enhances its longevity. The study analyzed samples from 11 ancient Mediterranean harbors, part of the ROMACONS project (2002-2009), demonstrating how Roman engineers leveraged volcanic ash and seawater to create a material that defies modern concrete's typical degradation. This insight offers potential for developing more resilient, long-lasting infrastructure materials today.

Lidar survey in the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site

Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne — 2013 — WHE75D8413F4E

A lidar survey of the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site, covering approximately 90 km², revealed previously unrecorded archaeological features such as large enclosures (>100 m in diameter), route ways, hollow-ways, embanked enclosures, and quarries. These findings, analyzed using advanced visualization techniques like multi-direction hillshade and Sky View Factor, significantly enhanced the understanding of this Neolithic landscape's subtle topographic expressions. Geophysical surveys corroborated lidar-based discoveries, while viewshed analysis suggested that Newgrange would have been the first visible tomb for a Neolithic boat traveler, with all three great tombs only visible from the Bend's apex. The study also highlighted recent discoveries lacking topographic expression, emphasizing lidar's potential and limitations in subtle-relief landscapes.

Liivimaa Üldkasulik ja Ökonoomiline Sotsieteet kui innovaatiline ühistegevusorganisatsioon

Struve Geodetic Arc — 2013 — WHE21348A1417

A groundbreaking cooperative model established by the Livonian Society in the 19th century facilitated unprecedented integration of science, economy, and culture across Estonia and Latvia. This innovative organization, funded significantly by a donation equivalent to over 3,250 oxen at the time, supported landmark scientific projects such as the triangulation of Livonia—resulting in the Struve Geodetic Arc, the only Baltic States research-based entry on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The Society's collaborative framework, uniting estate owners, scientists, and political figures, laid the foundation for enduring cooperative networks in agriculture, trade, industry, and meteorology. Its legacy raises contemporary relevance in 21st-century crises, suggesting that similar cooperative structures could revitalize large-scale scientific and economic initiatives today.

Local Visions of the Landscape: Participatory Photographic Survey of the World Heritage Site, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras — 2013 — WHECC3A3A5F4D

Local residents of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, exhibit deep awareness of their ancestral landscape and its role in livelihoods and food supply. This insight emerged from a participatory photographic survey involving community members, revealing their intimate connection to the terraces beyond stereotypical depictions often promoted by tourism and media. The study highlights how local perceptions contrast with outsider narratives, offering a nuanced understanding of cultural heritage that integrates traditional knowledge with modern conservation efforts.

Management of Living Religious Heritage: Who Sets the Agenda? The Case of the Monastic Community of Mount Athos

Mount Athos — 2013 — WHE306EE71019

Heritage management at Mount Athos reveals that top-down decision-making by monastic authorities often sidelines heritage professionals. KEDAK, the agency tasked with preserving Athonite heritage, operates under strict control of the monasteries, leading to compromises in professional expertise. The study highlights tensions between expert-driven and community-based approaches, demonstrating how religious authority can dominate heritage conservation processes.