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Showing 16361 – 16380 of 30345 publications

Cultivated land quality improvement to promote revitalization of sandy rural areas along the Great Wall in northern Shaanxi Province, China

The Great Wall — 2019 — WHE005BE0FB8D

Research identifies critical factors limiting agricultural land quality along the Great Wall in northern Shaanxi Province, China. The study reveals both single-factor (e.g., soil thickness, organic content) and combined-factor limitations (e.g., irrigation challenges, salinization), which vary spatially across the region. Using a potential index model, scientists pinpointed these constraints to propose targeted land quality improvement measures. These interventions aim to revitalize sandy rural areas, addressing practical challenges posed by harsh natural conditions in this transitional zone between the Maowusu Desert and loess hills.

Cultural and Natural Sites of Europe According to UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger

Medieval Monuments in Kosovo — 2019 — WHEA6064ACC9E

UNESCO's World Heritage List identifies sites of outstanding universal value, but some face threats from conflicts, natural disasters, pollution, and urbanization. European sites like Serbia’s Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (2006), the UK’s Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City (2012), and Austria’s Historic Centre of Vienna (2017) are on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to these risks. The study highlights the urgent need for international cooperation to address heritage protection challenges, emphasizing UNESCO's role in financial assistance and advocacy. It underscores the critical importance of preserving cultural and natural sites for their universal significance.

Cultural Heritage in Vietnam With the Requirements of Sustainable Development

Trang An Landscape Complex — 2019 — WHE699B3326C9

Vietnam's cultural heritage, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Intangible Cultural Heritage elements, faces significant challenges in balancing conservation with sustainable development. This study analyzes specific issues related to the relationships between safeguarding and exploitation, economic and cultural goals, and the roles of government and community, using cases such as Vietnamese Court Music, Xoan Singing, and Trang An Landscape Complex. It highlights the complexities of adhering to UNESCO's conventions while addressing the demands of modernization and globalization. The research aims to clarify these challenges and provide insights for effective heritage management in Vietnam.

Cultural Heritage Management Using Remote Sensing Data and GIS Techniques around the Archaeological Area of Ancient Jeddah in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia

Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah — 2019 — WHEC885454621

Historic Jeddah, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, faces significant environmental and structural challenges due to unplanned urban development. A study integrating remote sensing data and GIS techniques reveals that the city's southern region is well-developed with robust infrastructure, while the middle area exhibits high vulnerability risks, including population density, shallow water depth, flat slopes, and incomplete network services. The western and northwestern parts are particularly prone to pollution risk due to highly permeable coralline formations, very shallow water depths, and depressions. These findings highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions to protect the archaeological area. By analyzing data from multiple sources—including SRTM, Corona 1966, Spot 1986, Landsat 1987, Orbview 2003, and Sentinel-2A 2017—the study employs band combinations and spatial statistical analysis to monitor changes and assess geo-environmental status. The research suggests GIS techniques and models as potential solutions to mitigate these risks, aligning with UNESCO recommendations for cultural heritage management.

Cultural implications of architectural mortar and plaster selection at Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park — 2019 — WHEFE442B692D

Research at Mesa Verde National Park reveals a significant temporal trend in the selection of architectural mortar and plaster during the Pueblo III period, particularly at Spruce Tree House. By analyzing samples from kivas using advanced techniques such as XRD, ICP-MS, and SEM-EDS, scientists identified shifts in material choices that reflect cultural practices over time. The study also highlights preservation challenges, including gypsum accumulation on kiva walls. This work demonstrates how geochemical analysis can provide culturally significant insights into ancient building materials and their use.

Cultural landscape meanings. The case of West Lake, Hangzhou, China

West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou — 2019 — WHE976C5E1921

The West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou reflects complex cultural meanings that diverge between international heritage agencies and Chinese perspectives. While Western conservation approaches often prioritize universal values, the study reveals that Chinese interpretations emphasize local identity, historical continuity, and emotional connections to the landscape. International bodies like UNESCO and ICOMOS, alongside Chinese stakeholders involved in its 2011 nomination process, may underestimate these nuanced meanings. Meanwhile, Chinese tourists perceive the site not just as a tourist attraction but as a symbol of national pride and cultural heritage, highlighting the need for conservation strategies that bridge global and local understandings.

Cultural response to Middle Holocene sea‐level fluctuations in eastern China: a multi‐proxy approach

Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City — 2019 — WHE59914A41A9

A multi-proxy analysis reveals that the Hemudu Culture's dispersal and settlement patterns in eastern China were significantly influenced by Middle Holocene sea-level fluctuations. The study, focusing on the Xiawangdu site in Hangzhou Bay, demonstrates that cultural diffusion occurred between 6200 and 5600 cal. a BP, coinciding with marine transgression, followed by adaptation to coastal lagoon and freshwater wetland environments around 5300 cal. a BP. Evidence from pollen, phytoliths, and diatoms indicates early rice domestication by 5600 cal. a BP, highlighting the profound impact of environmental changes on subsistence strategies and settlement choices during this period.

Culturally modified trees or wasted timber: Different approaches to marked trees in Poland’s Białowieża Forest

Białowieża Forest — 2019 — WHE12C009C130

Research in Poland’s Białowieża Forest reveals that culturally modified trees (CMTs), once created through traditional forest use, were later viewed as wasted timber by 19th-century forest administrators. The study identified two types of CMTs—pine trees scorched and chopped or carved for beehives, and lime-trees with peeled bark—both considered harmful to 'rational forestry.' Archival surveys and fieldwork in Białowieża National Park showed that these practices were banned, leading to the gradual removal of such trees. This historical insight challenges anecdotal knowledge and provides a basis for informed conservation and management decisions, bridging traditional and modern forestry approaches.

Curated Viewsheds— Landscape Planning and Design of the Mount Kumgang International Tourist Zone on the Korean Peninsula

Mount Kumgang – Diamond Mountain from the Sea — 2019 — WHE9FC815A6D5

Mount Kumgang, a historically significant cultural symbol on the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula, spans both the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK). This study introduces a landscape planning approach for the Mount Kumgang International Tourist Zone, focusing on enhancing sightseeing experiences through a visual network system. The design leverages traditional Korean artistic techniques, such as those found in Geumgang Jeondo and the 1939 'Panorama Map of Diamond Mountain,' combined with computer-generated graphics to address challenges like limited data and field survey difficulties. Two material models were developed to aid in understanding site design concepts. The proposed strategies aim to improve future development while preserving the region's rich natural and cultural heritage, offering a model for balanced regional growth.

Curating Large Skeletal Collections: An Example from the Ancient Maya Site of Copán, Honduras

Maya Site of Copan — 2019 — WHEA14FDF85D6

Poor curation practices for skeletal remains pose significant risks to the integrity of archaeological collections, as demonstrated by a large Maya skeletal collection from Copán, Honduras. The study highlights that human remains often receive inadequate storage and conservation, sometimes being treated like more robust artifacts, which can lead to irreversible damage. Based on observations from this subtropical Maya region, the article provides critical guidelines and recommendations for proper skeletal curation, emphasizing the ethical responsibilities of bioarchaeologists in preserving these delicate materials for future research.

Current population status of the endangered Hog Deer Axis porcinus (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Cervidae) in the Terai grasslands: a study following political unrest in Manas National Park, India

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary — 2019 — WHE2679EA8823

A recent study estimates the Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) population density at 18.22 ± 3.32 individuals per square kilometer in Manas National Park, India, following a long period of political unrest that severely impacted wildlife populations. This endangered species, once abundant in the region, shows signs of recovery but faces significant threats from habitat loss, invasive plant species, illegal hunting, and other human-related disturbances. Researchers used distance sampling techniques (line transects) during the dry seasons of two consecutive years to assess population status. The findings highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts to ensure the survival and revival of this critically endangered deer.

Customs, rites, and sacrifices relating to a mortuary complex in Late Bronze Age Mongolia (Tsatsyn Ereg, Arkhangai)

Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites — 2019 — WHEC71A4D8030

Analysis of deer stone and khirigsuur complexes in Late Bronze Age Mongolia reveals complex ritual practices centered around horse sacrifices and caprine bone deposits. The study, conducted at Tsatsyn Ereg, found that peripheral mounds contained the remains of elderly male horses, suggesting a more nuanced mortuary ritual than simple in situ sacrifice. Circles of stones surrounding fireplaces were linked to purification rituals, with disproportionate representation of caprine teeth and feet indicating selective processing. The alignment of structures and horse orientations implied a symbolic connection to the rising sun, highlighting the communal and religious significance of these monuments.

Cyanocephalus veadeiroensis (Hyptidinae–Lamiaceae): A striking new species from the Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil1

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2019 — WHE675806698A

Researchers have identified and described Cyanocephalus veadeiroensis, a striking new plant species from the Chapada dos Veadeiros region, Goiás, Brazil. This discovery, initially recognized on Facebook, highlights unique morphological traits such as densely imbricate leaves that obscure stems, leaf lengths exceeding internodes, nearly parallel secondary veins, and acuminate leaf apices. The species is distinct from similar taxa like Cyanocephalus adpressus and C. lanatus. The study provides comparative analysis, distribution insights, and ecological notes, contributing to the understanding of biodiversity in this UNESCO-recognized Cerrado Protected Area.

Damage detection historical building using mapping method in music school of the University of Guanajuato, Mexico

Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines — 2019 — WHE3EE7CD4E54

Researchers developed a monument-mapping method to efficiently detect and quantify weathering damage on historical buildings, focusing on the Music School of the University of Guanajuato, Mexico. This approach identified five key forms of stone decay—fractures, salts, oxides, scaling, and lichen—using digital image processing. The study also characterized less-known decorative stones used in 18th- and 19th-century structures, providing mineralogical and petrophysic insights. By mapping damage size and location on green sandstone, the method offers a rapid, qualitative, and quantitative assessment tool for conservation efforts at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Guanajuato.

Dark tourism: The “heritagization” of sites of suffering, with an emphasis on memorials of the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi of Rwanda

Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero — 2019 — WHE9685D74317

A growing global trend sees sites of war, genocide, and massacres being recognized as cultural heritage, a process known as 'heritagization.' This phenomenon, coupled with the rise of 'dark tourism'—where visitors seek out locations of mass suffering—is examined in a study focusing on the memorials of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The research reveals how these sites, once symbols of atrocity, are now being framed as heritage destinations, drawing both academic and public interest. The study employs qualitative analysis to explore this shift, highlighting its implications for memory, tourism, and the preservation of traumatic histories.

Das Bauhaus

Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau — 2019 — WHEB1D85CB6D9

Das Bauhaus stands as a groundbreaking institution that redefined the boundaries between art, design, craftsmanship, and technology during its brief 14-year existence (1919–1933). Founded by Walter Gropius in Weimar, it became a hub for pioneering figures like Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Marianne Brandt, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The Bauhaus movement integrated aesthetic innovation with functional design, leaving an indelible mark on architecture and art across three sites: Weimar, Dessau, and Bernau (near Berlin). Through its holistic approach, the Bauhaus challenged traditional norms, fostering a synthesis of creative disciplines that continues to influence modern design practices.

Data on taxon preservation from three Burgess Shale-type deposits

Chengjiang Fossil Site — 2019 — WHEF7099FDA0A

Three iconic fossil sites—Burgess Shale (Canada), Chengjiang Biota (China), and Fezouata Shale (Morocco)—exhibit distinct preservation patterns for anatomical structures, offering insights into Cambrian and Ordovician paleo-biodiversity. The study categorizes preserved features into mineralized, sclerotized, cuticularized parts, soft tissues exposed to seawater, and internal organs, revealing significant differences in their proportions across sites. This dataset, compiled from publications, books, and museum collections over three months, serves as a benchmark for assessing new fossil localities and mitigating preservation biases in biodiversity reconstructions.

Dataset on perceived authenticity and place attachment

Kaiping Diaolou and Villages — 2019 — WHECEF19242C9

A comparative analysis of perceived authenticity and place attachment at two UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Yongding earth buildings (tulou) and Kaiping watchtowers (Diaolou)—revealed nuanced differences in visitor experiences shaped by cultural significance, architectural heritage, and seasonal tourism dynamics. Data collected during low-tourism periods (July 2017 for Yongding; April 2019, during China's Tomb Sweeping Festival for Kaiping) demonstrated that perceived authenticity was strongly linked to place attachment, with variations influenced by site-specific cultural narratives and environmental factors. The study employed rigorous factor analysis (SPSS 19.0), structural modeling (AMOS 21.0), and mediation effect analysis (PROCESS) to quantify these relationships, providing a data-driven framework for understanding visitor engagement in heritage contexts.

Dating Gordion: the Timing and Tempo of Late Bronze and Early Iron Age Political Transformation

Gordion — 2019 — WHEA55748D3A9

A major conflagration in the late 9th century BCE at Gordion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and pivotal archaeological site in central Anatolia, marks a significant political transformation from Hittite hegemony to the rise of the Phrygian polity. This study presents fifteen new radiocarbon dates that revise the chronology of this transition, challenging previous assumptions about the timing of cultural shifts. The research employs advanced absolute dating techniques to establish a precise framework for understanding the collapse of the Hittite Empire and the subsequent emergence of Phrygia as a dominant political force in Anatolia from the 9th to 7th centuries BCE. These findings reshape our perspective on the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age transition, highlighting Gordion's precocious development into an early Phrygian capital.

Dating the Bronze Age of Southeast Asia. Why Does it Matter?

Ban Chiang Archaeological Site — 2019 — WHEC07613CDEA

Radiocarbon dating of human bone, freshwater shell, charcoal, and rice grains from Ban Chiang Archaeological Site confirms the arrival of rice and millet farmers in mainland Southeast Asia by the end of the 3rd millennium BC, with bronze casting emerging around 1100 BC. This challenges recent claims that question the integrity of Bayesian-modelled radiocarbon results, reinforcing the established chronological framework for the region's Bronze Age. The study highlights the rapid social transformations following metallurgy's introduction, providing a robust foundation for understanding Southeast Asian prehistory.