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Publications

Showing 15561 – 15580 of 15962 publications

Integration of Static and Dynamic Spaces in Historic Cairo: A Community Spirit that May Vanish

Historic Cairo — 2012 — WHE4736FC3B21

Historic Cairo's streets, renowned for their intimacy and walkability, are threatened by rapid socio-cultural changes that disrupt the balance between static and dynamic urban spaces. The study reveals that the integration of these spaces—defined by enclosure degree, wall thickness, opening width, and activity nature—is crucial for fostering community spirit and behavioral needs. Through observation, researchers analyzed how variations in these factors influence urban dynamics, highlighting the vulnerability of this centuries-old town to modernization pressures.

IntroductionFieldwork in the Territory of Others

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2012 — WHE6841F88EF7

A significant discovery sheds light on the long-standing issue of how local communities, such as the ʿAbd al-Rasul family, have historically sustained themselves through the illicit trade of ancient Egyptian artifacts from the Theban Necropolis. This study reveals that the necropolis has not only served as an ancient burial ground but also as a living space for generations of villagers in al-Qurna, who inhabited mud-brick houses near the Tombs of the Nobles and the Valley of the Kings. The research employs a combination of historical analysis and fieldwork to explore the complex relationship between the living and the dead, challenging modern antiquities legislation by examining past practices that would be illegal under current Egyptian laws.

Investigation and Production of Furniture for Villa Tugendhat 2009–2012

Tugendhat Villa in Brno — 2012 — WHE25D71969A1

A significant rediscovery has shed light on the lost heritage of Villa Tugendhat, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece by Mies van der Rohe. The study confirms that the majority of the original furniture, including the iconic Makassar wall—previously believed missing for seven decades—remained in the possession of the Tugendhat family. This finding completes the villa's historic restoration, allowing it to reopen with its 1938 furnishings intact. The research involved a meticulous investigation into the villa's contents, revealing how Mies van der Rohe's design philosophy extended seamlessly from architecture to interior elements, dictating precise spatial organization and limiting functional flexibility for the owners. The study also highlights the political context of the Tugendhats' exile in 1938, which accelerated the villa's abandonment.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska cultural landscape

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: the Mannerist Architectural and Park Landscape Complex and Pilgrimage Park — 2012 — WHE06DD4810B7

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Poland, faces significant challenges despite its protective status. The site, a Mannerist architectural and park landscape complex attracting 1.5 million visitors annually, grapples with tensions between heritage protection, private property rights, and individual privacy. While these conflicts may intensify under human rights considerations—such as the clash between individual property rights and collective heritage enjoyment—they also present an opportunity for peaceful resolution through a human rights-based planning approach. This study highlights the need to balance legal protections with stakeholder rights to ensure sustainable management of such culturally significant landscapes.

Kinect and 3D GIS in archaeology

Maya Site of Copan — 2012 — WHE5B1AF4CB26

A low-cost, portable system leveraging Microsoft's Kinect enables virtual navigation and gesture-based interaction with a digitally reconstructed 3D GIS model of the ancient Maya city of Copan. This prototype, part of the MayaArch3D project, demonstrates how integrating databases with 3D digital tools can enhance research and teaching on ancient architectures. The system, built using the Flexible Action and Articulated Skeleton Toolkit (FAAST), allows users to remotely control movements in the virtual environment through touchless gestures, fostering spatial awareness and embodiment while retrieving multimedia information from a spatial database.

La ville européenne de Sousse : naissance d’un paysage urbain

Medina of Sousse — 2012 — WHE29EEF11115

French colonial urban planning in Sousse, Tunisia, demonstrated a heightened sensitivity to landscape design compared to other North African cities. This study reveals how the colonizing power intentionally crafted Sousse's European cityscape through meticulous archival analysis and iconographic examination of maps, postcards, architectural plans, and historical photographs. The research identifies three key aspects: the establishment and growth of European cities in North Africa, the distinct characteristics of Sousse's urban landscape, and its symbiotic relationship with the historic medina. By contrasting Sousse with other colonial cities, the study underscores the unique emphasis on visual and spatial aesthetics during French occupation.

Land‐Use Change and Hillslope Instability in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Central Mexico

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve — 2012 — WHEF382F63BCE

A significant landsliding episode in February 2010 within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) in Mexico revealed that deforestation played a critical role in hillslope instability, leading to debris flows that caused 16 deaths and substantial damage. The study analyzed land-use changes over four decades (1971–2010), finding that while deforestation rates remained relatively low compared to other regions of Mexico, the 2010 landslides destroyed or degraded approximately 54.57 hectares of forest. This suggests that payments for environmental services may mitigate human-induced deforestation but highlights the need for disaster risk management in fragile ecosystems. The research combined digital photo interpretation and field observations to assess land-cover changes and their relationship with landsliding.

Landscapes of nation: Constructing national identity in the deserts of Bahrain

Dilmun Burial Mounds — 2012 — WHE7278902D7A

Bahrain's national identity is increasingly shaped by modern architectural landscapes, diverging from its historical emphasis on burial mounds and pearl monuments. This shift reflects a broader struggle to reconcile grand historical narratives with contemporary urban development, creating a coherent social construct of the nation. The study analyzes how competing idealisms—such as the reconstruction of traditional landscapes versus postmodern urban settlements—define national space in Bahrain's deserts.

Laser cleaning of graffiti from building Stone using high power diode laser

Historic Centre of Morelia — 2012 — WHECF047856D4

Research demonstrates that high-power diode lasers can effectively remove graffiti from the historic stone of Morelia's UNESCO World Heritage Centre without causing damage. The study found that continuous wave laser treatment outperformed modulated wave regimes, with a two-pass process showing significant improvement over single-pass methods. This approach offers a non-damaging alternative to conventional graffiti removal techniques, preserving the aesthetic integrity of the Pink Morelia Quarry stone used in the city's architecture.

Leisure and the Net Opportunity Cost of Travel Time in Recreation Demand Analysis: An Application to Gros Morne National Park

Gros Morne National Park — 2012 — WHEF4FF1A9B26

Research reveals that visitors to Gros Morne National Park, a remote UNESCO World Heritage Site, value recreational access with a lower opportunity cost of travel time relative to their wage rate compared to previous studies. This finding challenges conventional assumptions by endogenously estimating the fraction of hourly earnings that best represents this cost, rather than imposing it exogenously. The study employs advanced count data models accounting for zero-truncation and overdispersion, providing a nuanced understanding of consumer surplus in park visitation. By linking visitor characteristics to opportunity costs, the research offers new insights into recreational demand analysis, particularly for remote sites.

Lienzos del Salón de Abd al-Rahman III Madinat al-Zahra (Córdoba) y Dolmen de Menga en Antequera (Málaga), experiencias sobre digitalización 3D y divulgación de la documentación gráfica obtenida.

Antequera Dolmens Site — 2012 — WHEA41B150959

This study demonstrates the significant advantages of combining 3D digitalization with traditional graphic documentation techniques for archaeological research. The research highlights how photorealistic models derived from these methods can provide reliable, detailed representations of historical sites, facilitating both scientific analysis and public dissemination. Two case studies are presented: the wall faces of Abd al-Rahman III's Madinat al-Zahra in Córdoba and the Dolmen of Menga in Antequera, Spain. The approach involves advanced 3D digitalization techniques that enhance the documentation process, offering new possibilities for preserving and studying these UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The findings underscore the potential of these methods to support future interventions and deepen our understanding of archaeological heritage.

Living cultural landscape: Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras — 2012 — WHEB09FAC762A

The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras exemplify a unique cultural landscape shaped by the Ifugao people's traditional agricultural practices over two millennia. These terraces, aesthetically striking and ecologically integrated, reflect a communal system of rice production that harmonizes with the surrounding forest and irrigation systems. The study highlights the role of local communities in preserving this site's outstanding universal value while addressing challenges posed by social and economic changes. By analyzing the interplay between human adaptation and environmental management, the research underscores the resilience and continuity of these terraces as a testament to sustainable cultural practices.

Living World Heritage: Škocjan Caves, Slovenia

Škocjan Caves — 2012 — WHE101BC6F94A

Škocjan Caves, a unique karst underground system in Slovenia, stands out globally for its intricate limestone formations and the interplay between natural and cultural heritage. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, this region's conservation is meticulously managed through legal frameworks established by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, including the Škocjan Caves Regional Park Act and the appointment of the Škocjan Caves Park Public Service Agency. These measures ensure the preservation of both surface and underground ecosystems while imposing restrictions on human activities to safeguard its ecological integrity.

Local People's Perception on the Impacts and Importance of Ecotourism in Sabang, Palawan, Philippines

Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park — 2012 — WHE33D94B999F

A significant increase in livelihood opportunities and economic development has been observed in Sabang, Palawan, following the rise of ecotourism around the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP), recognized as one of the new seven wonders of nature. The study reveals that while local residents perceive ecotourism positively—highlighting benefits such as income generation and urban development—they often overlook its ecological underpinnings, despite showing high awareness and involvement in environmental protection efforts. This disconnect stems from a heavy dependence on tourism, which overshadows the understanding of ecotourism as a sustainable practice tied to natural resource conservation. The research, based on surveys and interviews with householders and key informants in Sabang, underscores the need for broader community education on the ecological foundations of ecotourism to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Maternidad y niñez en el Hospicio Cabañas Guadalajara, 1920-1944

Hospicio Cabañas, Guadalajara — 2012 — WHEBC4D111676

A nuanced exploration of the Hospicio Cabañas in Guadalajara, Mexico, reveals significant contradictions between official discourses and everyday social practices during 1920–1944. The study highlights how public and private benevolence shaped maternal and childcare dynamics amidst post-Revolutionary Mexican societal shifts. By meticulously analyzing anecdotes and details, the research exposes tensions in education and gender relations, offering a critical lens on the intersection of social policies and lived experiences.

Media framing of a cultural disaster: the case of Ancient Olympia

Archaeological Site of Olympia — 2012 — WHE17767DF601

National media coverage of the 2007 forest fires at Ancient Olympia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and cradle of the Olympic Games, primarily focused on the disaster itself rather than the site's cultural significance or the museums' response. A study analyzing framing choices in Greek newspapers found minimal representation of museum activities during the crisis, highlighting a need for improved media relations strategies to better communicate the site's unique heritage value amid natural disasters.

Mice, scats and burials: Unusual concentrations of microfauna found in human burials at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, Central Anatolia

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2012 — WHEC8AC3E7E17

Archaeological research at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük reveals that human burials contained unusually high concentrations of microfauna, including small mammal bones and scats from carnivores. Taphonomic analysis confirmed these elements passed through the digestive tracts of small predators, suggesting deliberate placement by ancient inhabitants as part of ritualistic practices. One burial (F. 513) exhibited an exceptional concentration of microfauna over the torso, further supporting this interpretation. The study proposes that small carnivores were intentionally encouraged to inhabit Çatalhöyük to control house mouse populations, indicating a sophisticated relationship between humans and wildlife in Neolithic societies.

Micro‐Raman study of Medieval Cistercian 12–13th century manuscripts: Santa Maria de Alcobaça, Portugal

Monastery of Alcobaça — 2012 — WHEE87D2DC1FE

A Micro-Raman study of 12–13th century manuscripts from the Monastery of Alcobaça, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Cistercian monastery founded in 1153, reveals distinct medieval color palettes characterized by consistent use of pink (vermilion or organic red mixed with lead white) and grey (carbon-based black pigment with lead white). Lazurite was the primary blue pigment, while azurite appeared only in one manuscript. Green hues were identified as bottle green, likely verdigris, showing signs of degradation. The study also detected darkening in lead white pigments, linked to galena formation and arsenate-based species, suggesting orpiment's role in degradation. Experimental validation confirmed these findings, indicating the presence of a new lead carbonate phase.

Museum Plantin-Moretus MS of Glossaries

Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex — 2012 — WHE567A4021A6

A previously unexamined manuscript of glossaries housed at the Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex in Antwerp, Belgium, reveals new insights into 19th-century lexicography and industrial publishing. The manuscript, dating from the late 1800s, contains technical terms related to printing, binding, and paper production, offering a rare glimpse into the specialized vocabulary of the Plantin family's influential publishing firm. Analysis suggests the glossaries were likely compiled for internal use or training purposes, providing evidence of the firm's systematic approach to knowledge management during its peak period of innovation in typography and book production.

Narrative of a Journey into Persia, in the Suite of the Imperial Russian Embassy, in the Year 1817

Soltaniyeh — 2012 — WHE74B060C207

Moritz von Kotzebue's 'Narrative of a Journey into Persia' provides a unique and detailed account of the social history of 19th-century Persia, particularly focusing on the court of Fath Ali Shah Qajar. The work offers a rare perspective from a Russian embassy member, blending day-to-day observations with astute and witty commentary. Published in both German and English in 1819, it serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the region's cultural and political landscape during that period.