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Awestruck

Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site — 2025 — WHE0721D6E0FC

UNESCO World Heritage status, while enhancing local school curriculums and fostering environmental connections, can inadvertently restrict the multivocality essential for effective place-based learning. The Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site serves as a case study revealing this paradox: global recognition enriches learning but may suppress diverse narratives, reducing its educational potential. The research frames 'place' as a dynamic, multifaceted construct shaped by social relations and narratives, identifying World Heritage Sites as 'heterotopias' and 'glocal' phenomena that offer unique learning opportunities while risking narrative dominance. To counteract this, the study advocates for 'contact zones'—spaces where diverse narratives converge—to promote critical thinking and reflexivity in place-based learning. This approach requires an open, contestatory mindset to fully harness the educational benefits of such sites.

Awkward Objects: Expanding the Boundaries of the Holocaust Archive

Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945) — 2025 — WHEF5E34AF3D4

This special issue challenges the boundaries of Holocaust representation by advocating for the inclusion of 'awkward objects'—vernacular art, hand-drawn maps, graffiti, and other non-traditional testimonies—that have been marginalized or dismissed as unreliable. These objects, often overlooked due to their informal or ambiguous nature, offer critical insights into the Holocaust's social, emotional, and historical complexities. The research employs interdisciplinary approaches, drawing from cultural studies, anthropology, and art history, to re-evaluate these materials' evidentiary value. By doing so, it aims to democratize Holocaust knowledge, exposing epistemic injustices and fostering a more pluralistic understanding of genocide memory.

Axantismo en el Sapo de Espuelas Mexicano, Spea multiplicata (Scaphiopodidae)

Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica — 2025 — WHE7C0D9C261D

A rare case of axanthism, characterized by partial loss of pigmentation, has been documented in the Mexican spadefoot toad (Spea multiplicata) from a dam in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Puebla, Mexico. This observation represents the first record of this chromatic anomaly in the species and contributes to the growing list of amphibians in Mexico exhibiting such traits. While axanthism is uncommon, its documentation provides valuable insights into the biology of S. multiplicata, raising questions about its ecological implications and potential effects on individual survival. The study highlights the importance of monitoring and understanding such anomalies to deepen our knowledge of species' adaptations and vulnerabilities.

Azerbaijan

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHEAA8D45CDBB

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, located near Azerbaijan's Caspian Sea coast, features rock art dating back to 20,000 BC. This site is significant for its historical layers, reflecting the cultural and political influences of various ancient empires and kingdoms. The region experienced Assyrian influence around 800 BC, followed by rule from the kingdoms of Manue, Urartu, and Medea. The Persian Akhemenid dynasty's dominance in the 6th century BC marked a significant period, characterized by Zoroastrian religious influence under the name Caucasian Albania. Subsequent periods included Parthian, Roman, and Arshakid dynasties, with the latter enduring until the rise of the Persian Sassanid Empire in the 4th century AD. This historical narrative underscores Gobustan's role as a crossroads of ancient civilizations, blending rock art with the political and religious dynamics of its time.

Balancing Hydrological Sustainability and Heritage Conservation: A Decadal Analysis of Water-Yield Dynamics in the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces

Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces — 2025 — WHEFB04E08D6B

A decade-long decline in water yield, driven by cropland fragmentation and tourism growth, threatens the hydrological sustainability of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces. Research using the InVEST model and geographic detector analysis revealed that while built-up areas exhibited the highest water yield (980 mm per unit in 2018), there was a significant 31% drop by 2020, with persistent-yield hotspots in forested central-eastern terraces. Land-use patterns accounted for 80–95% of yield variability, exacerbated by temperature interactions. Forests contributed 68.7 million m³ over the decade, underscoring their hydrological importance. The study advocates for reforestation in critical recharge zones, terrace restoration, and regulated tourism to balance water security with cultural heritage conservation.

Based on the Baekje awareness in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty

Namhansanseong — 2025 — WHEE96DBB7EB2

A shift in historical perception of Baekje emerged during the Joseon Dynasty, marked by a transition from negative views to a more positive reevaluation. Analysis of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty reveals that while early rulers like Sejong initially favored Silla, later periods—particularly under Sarim's influence and during national crises such as the Imjin War—highlighted Baekje's contributions, including figures like Gyebaek and Seongchung. Namhansanseong Fortress, a former Baekje capital, gained prominence as a key defense site, reflecting growing respect for Baekje's legacy. This trend continued through the 18th century, with political and military achievements tied to Baekje's founder, King Onjo, further solidifying its historical significance.

Bayesian Approaches for Damage Identification of a Historic Masonry Tower

Historic Centre of San Gimignano — 2025 — WHE7C9A32D8CA

A Bayesian approach successfully identified structural damage in the Torre Grossa, a 60-meter-tall medieval masonry tower in San Gimignano, Italy. This method integrated diverse data sources—static and dynamic Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems alongside detailed cracking pattern surveys—to quantify uncertainties and model inadequacies, providing a reliable computational framework for assessing historic buildings' performance under exceptional loads. The study highlights the Torre Grossa's unique challenges, including its multi-leaf stone masonry walls with heterogeneous internal cores and integration into an adjacent building, offering insights applicable to other historic structures.

Beacon of Hope: Reviving the Ancient Bazaars of Aleppo

Ancient City of Aleppo — 2025 — WHE3B698981BA

A groundbreaking initiative led by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has successfully revitalized a significant portion of Aleppo's ancient bazaars, showcasing a model for preserving and rehabilitating heritage sites in conflict-affected regions. The project, detailed in 'Beacon of Hope: Reviving the Ancient Bazaars of Aleppo,' demonstrates how traditional urban planning, community engagement, and sustainable restoration techniques can restore historical integrity while fostering economic resilience. By integrating modern conservation practices with local craftsmanship, the initiative has not only safeguarded UNESCO-listed structures but also reanimated cultural and commercial vitality in one of Syria's most iconic landmarks.

Behavioural responses of platypuses to desedimentation works in the Blue Lake at Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve, New South Wales, with notes on the relationship between platypus occurrence and habitat variables in nearby streams

Greater Blue Mountains Area — 2025 — WHEE470CB2147

A study on the Greater Blue Mountains Area reveals that platypuses exhibit behavioral responses to desedimentation works, indicating their resilience and adaptability. Despite major instream rehabilitation works following severe catchment erosion and flooding, platypuses continued to use the Blue Lake at Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve. The research found that while platypus activity decreased during the works in 2020, they returned quickly upon completion and lake refilling. In subsequent works in 2022, their return was slower but showed persistent long-term use of the lake. Analysis of platypus occurrence data and habitat variables highlighted the importance of coarse benthic substrates for platypus presence, suggesting potential benefits from targeted rehabilitation efforts post-instream works.

Benchmarking Tree-Inspired-Fractal Branching Dendriform Structures From BC to L-System Based Contemporary Structures

The Maison Carrée of Nîmes — 2025 — WHEBD30196F16

Contrary to expectations, dendriform structures—inspired by fractal branching patterns found in nature—are not more complex today than they were in ancient times. A study benchmarking historical and contemporary architectural designs revealed that modern parametric tools, while sophisticated, do not necessarily produce more intricate geometric compositions than those observed in classical structures like the Maison Carrée of Nîmes or the Sagrada Familia. Researchers analyzed plans and column head views using FracLac software, applying fractal analysis to compare Euclidean geometry from hand-drawn environments to digital CAD models. The findings challenge the notion that contemporary parametric design tools inherently lead to greater complexity, suggesting instead a continuity in geometric sophistication across millennia.

Benjamin Nathans, To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement

Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow — 2025 — WHEA93F4D0655

Benjamin Nathans' groundbreaking work, 'To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause,' reveals that the Soviet dissident movement, emerging from 1965 to 1985, was a strategic and legally grounded challenge to the regime. Nathans demonstrates that activists, led by figures like Alexander Esenin-Volpin, used Soviet legal frameworks, particularly demands for open trials and transparency, to expose the regime's hypocrisy. This approach, rooted in mathematical logic and cybernetics, confounded authorities accustomed to violence or conspiracy, leading to a 'chain reaction' of protests, petitions, and samizdat publications. The movement's resilience, despite severe repression—including psychiatric abuse and exile—culminated in symbolic acts like the 1968 Red Square demonstration against the Prague Spring invasion, foreshadowing Gorbachev's later glasnost reforms. Nathans' meticulous integration of memoirs, samizdat documents, KGB reports, and interviews constructs a nuanced narrative that underscores the movement's legal ingenuity and enduring impact on Soviet politics.

Besançon sous la menace d’un siège (octobre 1870-février 1871)

Fortifications of Vauban — 2025 — WHE0AEAFC1263

In the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, Besançon's Vauban fortifications faced imminent threat from advancing German forces. Despite expectations of a siege, the city was spared, though repeated dangers loomed. This study examines how the population and military authorities responded to these threats, highlighting the resilience and strategic significance of Vauban’s defensive structures during wartime. The research relies on historical accounts and archival records, offering insights into civilian behavior under duress and the effectiveness of 19th-century fortifications.

Between a rock and a hard place: Livelihood diversification through artisanal mining in the Eastern DR Congo

Kahuzi-Biega National Park — 2025 — WHE77F7D07C24

Rural households in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that integrate artisanal mining with traditional farming report higher food security compared to non-mining households. However, increased reliance on mining leads to reduced agricultural land cultivation, highlighting a trade-off between livelihood diversification and environmental sustainability. This study used household surveys around Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve, analyzed through hurdle regression modeling, to demonstrate that artisanal mining serves as both a complementary and substitutory livelihood strategy in the context of prolonged conflict, poor governance, and declining soil fertility.

Between Development and Marginalization: Relocating the Craftsmanship from the Old Medina of Fez to the Peripheral Neighborhood of Ain Nokbi

Medina of Fez — 2025 — WHEA6709A82EF

Relocating brass artisans from the historic Medina of Fez to the peripheral neighborhood of Ain Nokbi, intended as part of a broader sustainable development initiative, has inadvertently exacerbated vulnerabilities for these craftsmen. The study reveals that while the move aimed to reduce pollution and improve working conditions, it has led to spatial marginalization, economic precarity, and cultural displacement. Through semi-structured interviews, researchers found that artisans in Ain Nokbi face significant challenges, including isolation from Fez's historic fabric and economic instability, undermining the project's goals of heritage preservation and Medina attractivity.

Beyond Cusco: Reassessing Inca Imperial Integration Through Isotopic Provenance and Network Analysis of the Qhapaq Ñan

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System — 2025 — WHE59A65BAA85

A groundbreaking study challenges traditional models of Inca imperial control, revealing that the Qhapaq Ñan road system facilitated complex resource mobilization and local agency beyond Cusco. By combining isotopic provenance analysis—tracking strontium and oxygen ratios in construction materials—and network analysis, researchers mapped connectivity and centrality across the empire. Findings indicate that Inca rule was not solely hierarchical but involved dynamic interactions between center and periphery, reshaping our understanding of Andean imperial integration and its enduring impact on regional economies.

Beyond the Periphery: Teotihuacan, Monte Albán, and the Co-Creation of Mesoamerican Urbanism

Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán — 2025 — WHE110022FB7A

A new framework challenges traditional core-periphery models to reveal that Teotihuacan and Monte Albán co-created Mesoamerican urbanism through reciprocal interactions. Unlike the assumption of one-way influence, this study demonstrates that both cities—Teotihuacan's planned multi-ethnic metropolis and Monte Albán's distinct hilltop Zapotec center—actively shaped each other's development. By synthesizing archaeological evidence on urban planning, material culture, social organization, and ideology, researchers show how their engagement fostered innovation at both sites, contributing to the diversity of ancient Mesoamerican civilization.

Bilingual Language Development for Atypically Developing Students Supported by Augmented Reality and Museum Kits

Old Town of Corfu — 2025 — WHE54288BB728

Augmented reality (AR) combined with museum kits can effectively support bilingual language development for atypically developing students, offering cognitive and linguistic benefits while fostering inclusive educational practices. The study introduces 'Discover Corfu Old Town' (DisCot), a web-based AR application paired with a physical kit, designed to create an experiential learning environment using open-source tools for mobile devices. This approach prioritizes accessibility and scalability, suggesting that AR-enhanced museum kits serve as valuable transmedia resources for language acquisition and cognitive engagement in students with learning difficulties or socio-emotional challenges.

Bioarchaeology of the Casas Grandes Region, Chihuahua, Mexico

Archaeological Zone of Paquimé, Casas Grandes — 2025 — WHE010767B4EE

Research on the Archaeological Zone of Paquimé, Casas Grandes, reveals significant gene flow and political interactions between Paquimé and neighboring Mimbres and West Mexican populations. Analysis of paleodemographics, biodistance, isotopes, and genomics indicates that while Paquimé absorbed local groups, high-status individuals were predominantly born within the region, with immigrants rarely achieving elite status. The study also identifies ritual violence and human sacrifice as part of public ceremonies, likely performed by elites to assert political power. Inhabitants experienced physiological stress and were smaller than their Southwestern counterparts, with mortuary practices reflecting social stratification and health disparities.

Bioarqueología de la violencia interétnica. Un modelo para abordar el ataque indígena al Fuerte San José (Península de Valdés, Chubut, República Argentina)

Península Valdés — 2025 — WHE4BF1C6191C

A novel bioarchaeological model has been developed to characterize the material traces of a 19th-century indigenous attack on the Spanish Fuerte San José in Península Valdés, Argentina. This approach integrates historical documentation, ethnohistoric data, and bioarchaeological evidence from similar conflict scenarios to derive specific expectations for identifying and analyzing skeletal remains linked to the 'malón' of 1810. The model aims to distinguish these violent events from other causes of mortality in the enclave, contributing to the emerging field of bioarchaeology of violence. By synthesizing disparate data sources—including taphonomic processes and osteological records—the study provides a framework for future investigations into interethnic conflict during the colonial period.

Bioclimatic assessment and thermal comfort of traditional Riads in Fez Medina

Medina of Fez — 2025 — WHEF1F321ACD1

Traditional Moroccan Riads in Fez Medina demonstrate remarkable resilience to climate variability, significantly reducing indoor thermal discomfort from over 80% to nearly 10–12% through passive bioclimatic design. The study reveals that courtyard configurations and high-thermal-inertia materials like rammed earth walls—with a 12-hour thermal lag—effectively mitigate heat swings while meeting Moroccan thermal regulation standards for U-values. By integrating Mahoney Tables, Givoni’s psychrometric chart, operative temperature, PMV–PPD indices, and ASHRAE 55/ISO 7730 simulations, researchers quantified the benefits of envelope optimization in enhancing thermal comfort. These findings underscore the potential of adaptive reuse for sustainable thermal engineering, positioning Riads as exemplary models for climate-adaptive architecture.