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David Stronach. “On the Birth of Early Achaemenid Monumental Art at Pasargadae”

Pasargadae — 2019 — WHEAD1C451FBD

Achaemenid monumental art at Pasargadae draws significant inspiration from Assyrian models, particularly evident in the architectural and sculptural elements of Cyrus the Great's palace. The study identifies the influence of Assyrian motifs, such as winged taurine guardians and demonic figures (lulal, ugallu, apkallu), which were likely incorporated to assert continuity with the Assyrian imperial tradition. This approach highlights how Pasargadae served not only as a political capital but also as a symbolic extension of Assyrian power, reinforcing Cyrus's legacy as an heir to that empire.

Dayr al-Barshā and Dayr al-Bahrī: Two Ritual Landscapes in the Time of Mentuhotep II

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2019 — WHE70927DA6EE

Archaeological evidence from the Middle Kingdom necropolis of Dayr al-Barshā reveals a sophisticated ritual landscape designed to facilitate religious processions from Khemenu, the capital of the Hare nome, to associated cemeteries. This infrastructure included a river crossing, landing stages with cult places for provincial rulers, and processional roads leading to tombs, suggesting deliberate landscaping on a grand scale. The study argues that such processional features were initially linked primarily to royal pyramids but expanded during Mentuhotep II's reign to include temples and private cemeteries, potentially influenced by his grand-scale projects in Abydos and Thebes.

De la carrière à la base de loisir : la transformation touristique d’un territoire en marge, l’exemple francilien

Paris, Banks of the Seine — 2019 — WHEEBB3ECC5EB

A shift from industrial and agricultural use to recreational tourism has reshaped the marginal territories along the Seine River in the Paris region, integrating them into urban leisure spaces. This transformation, driven by post-war population growth and policy initiatives, created outdoor leisure centers that prioritized nature access for Ile-de-France residents. The study reveals how state and regional policies facilitated this transition, blending marginal lands into the urban fabric while addressing recreational needs. By analyzing policy implementation and territorial integration, researchers highlight a model for balancing development with environmental preservation in densely populated areas.

Death, Poetry, And Dynastic Identity: Reimagining The Gardens At The Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal — 2019 — WHE16D1FE9E61

The gardens of the Taj Mahal, traditionally viewed as representations of Quranic paradise and imperial power, are reinterpreted through their cultural and literary significance. This study challenges the singular perception of these gardens by highlighting their multifaceted nature, blending dynastic identity with Persian poetic landscapes of love and longing. By analyzing plantings, perspective, and sensory engagement, it reveals that the gardens evoke not only paradise but also the emotional and political narratives embedded in Mughal culture. The research employs a cultural memory framework to explore the interplay between physical and imaginary landscapes, offering a more nuanced understanding of how these spaces were experienced and remembered.

Decontextualization and the Search for Origins: A Persian Architectural Fragment in the Ackland Art Museum

Hegmataneh — 2019 — WHE6AF3C2E914

A Persian architectural fragment, acquired by the Ackland Art Museum in 1998, has been recontextualized through comparative analysis with similar fragments from major Euro-American collections and the Hegmataneh Hill Museum in Hamadan, Iran. This study challenges the museum's emphasis on aesthetic qualities by examining the fragment as part of a broader network of architectural pieces, rather than an isolated decontextualized object. The research approach involves cross-collection analysis to trace origins and reconstruct historical context, providing new insights into Persian architectural heritage beyond conventional narratives.

Deep Structure of the Anapa Flexural–Rupture Zone, Western Caucasus

Western Caucasus — 2019 — WHECDCFD1CFFA

Research reveals that the Anapa flexural–rupture zone in the Western Caucasus exhibits deep structural roots extending into the lower crust and upper mantle, distinct from near-surface faults. These findings, derived from microseismic sounding (MSM) conducted between 2007 and 2017, highlight the zone's role in separating major tectonic blocks, including the pericline of the North-Western Caucasus from the Taman Peninsula and adjacent depressed blocks. The study also differentiates deep faults with significant seismogenic potential from shallow ones confined to the sedimentary cover, providing critical insights into the region's seismic activity.

Deformation of the foundation and structure of Tomioka Silk Mill’s East Cocoon Warehouse

Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites — 2019 — WHE58596D9039

A geotechnical study of the East Cocoon Warehouse at Japan's Tomioka Silk Mill, built during the Meiji era using imported technology, reveals remarkable structural stability after 145 years. Despite significant differential settlements—up to 44 mm among foundation stones and 33 mm in the silk reeling mill—the warehouse has maintained its original state without notable pillar inclinations. The research, measuring deformations across 92 foundation stones spanning 233.4 meters, demonstrates that early Meiji-era geotechnical practices were sophisticated, comparable to modern standards. These findings highlight the durability of the warehouse's simply yet suitably designed foundation.

Deformations and Morphology Changes Associated with the 2016–2017 Eruption Sequence at Bezymianny Volcano, Kamchatka

Volcanoes of Kamchatka — 2019 — WHEA2EBDF1616

A study of Bezymianny Volcano, Kamchatka, reveals that precursory lava dome growth is driven by complex interactions between magma supply rates and shallow conduit solidification. Using TerraSAR-X satellite data, webcam imagery, and seismic records, researchers identified significant morphometric changes—including local deformations exceeding 30 meters—up to seven months before eruptions, often without detectable seismicity. The findings suggest that intrusive and extrusive processes occur in tandem, with solidification deflecting magma intrusions toward the dome's uppermost regions. This integrated approach enhances understanding of precursory activity and dome-building dynamics at hazardous volcanoes like Bezymianny.

Défricher la terre et se l’approprier

Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch — 2019 — WHEB69EB17924

Agrarian land claims and clearances in the eighth and ninth centuries, as documented in the charters of Abbeys Wissembourg, Lorsch, and Fulda, reveal a diverse and complex system with features distinct from later Central Middle Ages communities. This study reinterprets territorial and chronological distributions of evidence by analyzing landscape descriptions and agricultural practices, uncovering varied mechanisms of land appropriation across different forms of exploitation. The findings challenge conventional understandings of medieval agrarian systems, particularly in the social logic behind terms like 'stirpare,' suggesting a more nuanced and dynamic process than previously assumed.

Degradation or regeneration? Prospects for developing the port-city interface in Odesa

The Historic Centre of Odesa — 2019 — WHE39521B8030

A balanced approach to urban port development can foster sustainable regeneration while addressing the complexities of economic and geopolitical conditions. This study identifies the most effective strategy for developing the interface between Odesa's port and its historic center, drawing on case studies from European cities like Bilbao, Barcelona, and Oslo. It integrates insights from urban planning, economics, transport geography, and sociology to propose a model that equitably shares port territories while moving cargo functions away from historical areas. The research highlights the potential for ecological, social, and transportation benefits in coastal cities of developing nations, offering a framework for sustainable development under current challenges.

Delivering allied health services to regional and remote participants on the autism spectrum via video-conferencing technology: lessons learned

Lord Howe Island Group — 2019 — WHEC7A750B149

A multidisciplinary tele-therapy model using video-conferencing technology effectively delivered autism-specific allied health services to regional and remote participants, including one on UNESCO-listed Lord Howe Island. The study found that staff training, collaboration among families, educators, and therapists, and access to specialized autism support were key to success, while mixed views existed on the need for in-person sessions. Barriers included scheduling challenges but technology itself was not a hindrance. This research supports tele-practice as a viable alternative when local services are unavailable, though blended models may optimize outcomes.

Demography and life history of five chimpanzee communities in Taï National Park

Taï National Park — 2019 — WHE1DFAC2DDBF

A nearly four-decade study of wild chimpanzees in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, reveals critical insights into their demography and life-history strategies. By tracking five communities (North, South, Middle, East Groups), researchers uncovered key reproductive metrics such as age at first birth, interbirth intervals, and longevity, providing a rare long-term dataset for chimpanzee ecology. The study highlights adaptations in Taï chimpanzees' reproductive success and fitness, offering comparisons with other long-term sites to elucidate species-specific responses to environmental challenges.

Dendrochronological reconstruction of fire history in coniferous forests in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve — 2019 — WHE030EE7286D

Coniferous forests within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) experience frequent fires, with return intervals averaging two years across all elevations and forest types. Contrary to expectations, these fires do not correlate with drought or El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, nor do they influence tree establishment patterns, which remain continuous regardless of fire frequency. The study, using dendrochronological techniques on 110 cross-sections from 23 sites spanning 1925–2015, suggests that natural fire regimes in these forests may have been drastically altered by human activities. While frequent low-severity fires could potentially harm tree regeneration and the integrity of the monarch butterfly's overwintering habitat, continuous tree regeneration indicates such impacts have not yet materialized.

Density and abundance of the Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus scitulus) in eastern Jamaica

Blue and John Crow Mountains — 2019 — WHE6B0C949AFA

A population survey of the Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus scitulus), an endemic hummingbird subspecies found in Jamaica's Blue and John Crow Mountains, reveals a significantly larger population than previously estimated. Using distance sampling methods in 2014, researchers estimated a density of 955 individuals per km², translating to a global abundance of approximately 314,100 birds within the 329 km² survey area. An independent calculation using the variable circular plot method yielded a slightly lower estimate of 108,017 individuals, both indicating a much larger population than anticipated. These findings support the current IUCN Least Concern status for this species but underscore the need for continued monitoring to better understand its habitat preferences and future population trends.

Des cathédrales sans sépulture canoniale (1200–1500) : le cas de Chartres et de quelques autres

Chartres Cathedral — 2019 — WHE5CB97D30EA

A groundbreaking study challenges the long-held assumption that chanoines were necessarily interred within their cathedrals, particularly during the late Middle Ages. Focusing on Chartres Cathedral and other French sites, the research reveals that no chanoine or bishop from Chartres was buried within its walls between 1200 and 1500, contrary to common belief. Instead, their remains were dispersed across the city and its outskirts. This practice was justified by an 'interdit'—a religious prohibition on burials within the cathedral's precincts due to its pre-Incarnation origins, which demanded the preservation of its soil's virginity. The study further uncovers that this phenomenon was not unique to Chartres but extended to other cathedrals like Saint-Jean de Besançon and possibly Le Puy, indicating a broader cultural shift in burial practices during this period. By analyzing numerous chanoine testaments and historical records, the research redefines our understanding of medieval ecclesiastical traditions.

Description of Onthophagus humboldti and Uroxys bonplandi, two new scarab beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) from Costa Rica, with notes on tropical mountain brachyptery and endemicity

Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park — 2019 — WHEB2485AB6E9

Researchers have identified two new endemic scarab beetle species, Onthophagus humboldti and Uroxys bonplandi, from Costa Rica's Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves. Notably, O. humboldti is the tenth brachypterous (short-winged) species in the genus Onthophagus globally, showcasing extreme brachyptery within this group. The study also reveals that tropical mountain ranges like the Cordillera de Talamanca exhibit higher levels of endemism and brachyptery than lowland rainforests, challenging conventional beliefs. By analyzing mitochondrial DNA, the research supports the distinctiveness of two closely related Onthophagus species groups: O. dicranius and O. clypeatus. Additionally, a biogeographical model suggests that stable environments in deeply incised valleys during the Last Glacial Maximum may have promoted brachyptery in scarab beetles.

Description of Νecropolis in “The Commoners’ Council”: Issue of Sources

Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — 2019 — WHE9B72CBE5B7

Research reveals that Panteleimon Kulish's novel 'The Commoners’ Council' (1846) relied heavily on Mykhailo Maksymovych’s 1840 paper, 'On Tombstones in Pechersk Monastery,' rather than Afanasii Kalnofoyskyi’s 'Teraturgema' (1638), for epitaph translations from the Assumption Cathedral of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The study also found that other quotations attributed to 'Teraturgema' were borrowed from metropolitan bishop Yevhenii’s 1826 work, 'Description of Kyiv Perchersk Lavra.' Kulish's Kyivan episodes were primarily based on Maksymovych’s works in the 'Kiievlianin' almanac (1840), yet he omitted these sources in his novel’s footnotes. This challenges traditional scholarly perceptions and underscores Kulish’s unique approach to historical fiction, where he prioritized direct testimonies and observations over intermediary historians.

Design of the subsurface observatory at Surtsey volcano, Iceland

Surtsey — 2019 — WHE7B23FC46F0

A subsurface observatory at Surtsey, Iceland's youngest volcanic island, offers unprecedented insights into microbial life and hydrothermal processes in young basaltic tuff. The 2017 ICDP SUSTAIN Expedition drilled three boreholes through the active hydrothermal system, with one equipped to monitor water-rock interactions and microbial activity under sterile conditions. Using filtered seawater and UV sterilization, researchers maintained a contamination-free environment, enabling experiments at temperatures from 25°C to 125°C—approaching the upper limit of functional life (~121°C). The observatory provides a natural laboratory for studying fluid-rock-microbe interactions over time, with comparisons to 1979 and 2019 drill cores offering a 50-year perspective on hydrothermal evolution. This design bridges field observations and experimental validation, advancing understanding of submarine microbial processes.

Detecting dynamics of cave floor ice with selective cloud-to-cloud approach

Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst — 2019 — WHEC8A05488C4

A significant decrease in cave floor ice volume has been observed in the Silická ľadnica cave, part of the UNESCO-listed Slovak Karst, over a three-year monitoring period. This finding suggests long-term changes in the hydrological-climatic regime of the region. Researchers employed a selective cloud-to-cloud approach using laser scanning technology to map and analyze ice dynamics with ultra-high resolution. By registering point clouds from multiple scanning campaigns into a unified coordinate system, they tracked continuous inter-seasonal changes, including repeated cycles of ice degradation and formation. While the study highlights a notable reduction in ice volume, it underscores the need for extended observations to fully understand the underlying mechanisms driving these changes.

Detection and localization of chamber tombs in the environs of ancient Olympia, Peloponnese, Greece, based on a combination of archaeological survey and geophysical prospection

Archaeological Site of Olympia — 2019 — WHEC55867F963

Researchers have successfully identified and localized multiple Mycenaean chamber tombs in the environs of ancient Olympia, Greece, using non-invasive geophysical methods. By combining electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) with ground-penetrating radar (GPR), the study detected ten previously unknown tomb candidates near the village of Epitalio, expanding knowledge of an uncharted cemetery. The approach was validated at the Mageiras-Kioupia necropolis, where excavated chamber tombs provided a reference for interpreting geophysical data. While no comparable tombs were found on the Dartisa plateau, this study demonstrates the potential of ERT and GPR to uncover hidden archaeological features in regions lacking systematic excavation records.