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Publications

Showing 17661 – 17680 of 30345 publications

The State Policy in the Field of Preserving the Historical and Cultural Heritage in the 1990s in the Republic of Tatarstan

Historic and Architectural Complex of the Kazan Kremlin — 2019 — WHE2390C410DE

In the 1990s, the Republic of Tatarstan transitioned from centralized cultural management to decentralized models, marked by partnerships and diverse financing. This shift was pivotal in preserving historical and cultural heritage, including UNESCO-listed sites like the Kazan Kremlin. Key milestones included the 1996 enactment of the Law 'On the Protection and Use of Cultural and Historical Values,' which established legal frameworks for heritage conservation. The study highlights the formation of the Kazan Kremlin Museum-Preserve and international collaborations, such as those initiated to commemorate Kazan's 1000th anniversary. Challenges during this period, including dilapidated housing and the need for scientific oversight, were addressed through targeted programs like the Scientific and Production Department of State Control. The research underscores how policy evolution, institutional initiatives, and global cooperation collectively shaped heritage preservation in Tatarstan.

The Stone of Mount Tai: Shigandang Worship in Northern China and the Power of Symbols

Mount Taishan — 2019 — WHEA3DFAA6D58

A groundbreaking study on Mount Taishan challenges the conventional separation of symbolic meaning and material agency, demonstrating how stones from the holy mountain are perceived and worshipped as interconnected entities. The research reveals that the symbolic power of these stones is intricately linked to human perception and bodily experience, reflecting a local understanding of networks and associations akin to Latourian perspectives. Ethnographic evidence and theoretical analysis were employed to explore this phenomenon, offering new insights into the relationship between material objects, symbols, and human agency in Northern Chinese culture.

The Struve Geodetic Arc: the development of the triangulation, technical possibilities, and the initiation of the project

Struve Geodetic Arc — 2019 — WHE406A5FEEF8

A groundbreaking geodetic project, the Struve Geodetic Arc, successfully measured Earth's ellipsoid parameters using triangulation from the Black Sea to the Arctic Ocean. This study reveals how advancements in triangulation techniques, geodetic instruments, and 18th–19th century Russian Empire policies created ideal conditions for its execution. By analyzing historical scientific progress, technological developments, and political factors, researchers identified key elements that ensured the project's success, contributing to its UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition.

The Symbolic Dimension of the Urban and Cultural Landscape in Baalbek (Lebanon): The Challenge of Resistance and/or Instruments of Power

Baalbek — 2019 — WHE32B5A22D1D

Urban landscapes, particularly those saturated with symbolic meaning, can serve as both tools of political power and symbols of resistance against global neoliberal imagery. This study demonstrates that spatial symbols in Baalbek, Lebanon, embody a dual role: they reflect collective memory and identity while also functioning as instruments of control or defiance. By analyzing rituals tied to daily life, master planning strategies, and the temporal evolution of urban development, researchers reveal how these landscapes mediate power dynamics and cultural identity. The findings underscore the significance of symbolic spaces in shaping resistance narratives and reinforcing local identities amid global influences.

The Technical History of China's Grand Canal

The Grand Canal — 2019 — WHE57B6C27227

China's Grand Canal, a marvel of hydraulic engineering and cultural significance, has been pivotal in shaping Chinese civilization. Spanning over 1,800 kilometers, its development reflects intricate interrelations with politics, economics, and culture across different historical periods. This interdisciplinary study synthesizes three decades of research to assess the canal's impact on technological progress, natural environments, and societal evolution. By analyzing the technical and cultural values of various sections, the research provides a comprehensive understanding of how the Grand Canal facilitated economic growth, advanced engineering achievements, and influenced China's societal development.

The Terrestrialization of Amphibious Life in a Danube Delta 'Town on Water'

Danube Delta — 2019 — WHE6CAE39E0EB

A significant shift in the Danube Delta town of Vilkovo, often called the 'Ukrainian Venice,' is being driven by terrestrialization—a complex interplay of geomorphological, ecological, and social changes. This process, characterized by the rapid silting of canals that were once navigable, threatens the town's unique identity and its potential as a heritage site. The study employs ethnographic methods to explore how these changes have reshaped residents' relationships with the Danube River, revealing a nuanced narrative often overlooked in tourism-development plans. By integrating insights from amphibious anthropology and social science literature on water infrastructure, the research highlights critical issues that must be addressed to sustainably develop Vilkovo's tourist economy. It advocates for the inclusion of terrestrialization studies in future heritage assessments.

The territorialization of national-populist politics

Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin — 2019 — WHEA3C538CD1A

National-populist politics, exemplified by the French Front National (FN), demonstrates significant territorialization in its mobilization strategies. This study reveals that the FN's political success is deeply rooted in sub-national dynamics, particularly in regions like Hauts-de-France, which has a history of industrial decline and economic restructuring since the 1970s. The research employs a sub-national approach to explore how local issues, such as the provision of public services and health centers in rural areas, serve as key political opportunities for the FN's campaign strategies. By analyzing these territorial dimensions, the study highlights the interplay between political opportunity structures and internal supply-side factors that contribute to the rise of populist radical right parties.

The Three Kings Celebration in Vilnius: Its Origin and Evolution in the Twentieth and the Early Twenty-first Centuries

Vilnius Historic Centre — 2019 — WHEB4BBCE8FCA

The Three Kings Celebration in Vilnius, traditionally marking the end of the Christmas season on 6 January, has undergone significant transformations over the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Originally rooted in medieval European customs and influenced by Polish religious culture during the early 1900s, the celebration was suppressed under Soviet rule (1940–1990) due to bans on church activities outside religious premises. Post-Soviet revival saw the procession reinstated, now organized by the Old Town Theatre, preserving its Biblical narrative with Kings accompanied by angels and mummers. A notable evolution includes the symbolic farewell to Christmas trees, integrating the feast into modern Vilnius life as a cultural marker of the holiday season's close.

The three-dimensional impact of the absorption effects of European funds on the competitiveness of the SMEs from the Danube Delta

Danube Delta — 2019 — WHE9E8AEA4C12

A strong correlation exists between the absorption of European Structural Funds and the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. The study, using quantitative analysis through questionnaires, found that economic, social, and environmental effects—driven by EU funding—significantly enhance SME competitiveness. These findings underscore the need for increased access to structural funds to sustain balanced development in this ecologically sensitive region. The research highlights a multidimensional measurement of competitiveness, linking external policy impacts with internal company factors.

The Timbuktu syndrome

Timbuktu — 2019 — WHED9E34B5CFC

This study identifies a 'Timbuktu syndrome,' where Western powers exhibit an obsessive focus on controlling perceived dangers from remote sites, mirroring historical patterns of cartopolitics that blend desire, danger, domination, and fear. The research analyzes Mali's transformation from a tourist destination to a conflict-ridden site within the global 'war on terror,' drawing on colonial and precolonial mappings. It argues that military strategies today reflect an intensified geographic imagination, akin to the Vietnam syndrome, where fear of engaging with distant regions paralyzes action. The study employs historical perspective and critical analysis of cartographic practices to unpack these dynamics.

The Tiwanaku Camelid Sacrificer: origins and transformations of animal iconography in the context of Middle Horizon (A.D. 400–1100) state expansion

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2019 — WHEE3D8BB4E79

A new interpretation of the Tiwanaku Camelid Sacrificer (TCS) reveals its significance in Andean iconography, challenging previous assumptions about violence and fertility imagery in Tiwanaku culture. The TCS, depicted as a human-camelid hybrid carrying a trophy head or axe, symbolizes shared essence and form between humans and camelids, reflecting unique positions of power in Tiwanaku’s agropastoralist society. This study re-examines the TCS theme, originating from the Formative period, through analysis of portable prestige objects found in Tiwanaku hinterlands, suggesting its role in ritual and ontology during the Middle Horizon (A.D. 400–1100). The research highlights the TCS as a representation of states of being (camay) and becoming (tucoy), offering insights into Tiwanaku’s state expansion and social structures.

The Tonaia and Samian Identity

Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos — 2019 — WHEAD5C2D1942

The Tonaia ritual on Samos, traditionally interpreted as a pre-marriage or New Year's ceremony, is revealed to reflect complex social and cultural dynamics. This study argues that the ritual mediates tensions between autochthonous origins, Argive ancestry, and Karian inclusion, using mythological narratives and historical accounts to recontextualize its significance. The ritual's performance—binding and then freeing Hera’s cult image—symbolizes themes of theft, repatriation, and marginalization, offering a nuanced understanding of Samian identity and cultural integration in the ancient Mediterranean.

The trace fossil Sinusichnus from the Upper Ordovician of Anticosti Island, eastern Canada

Anticosti — 2019 — WHEF987A22DED

A significant discovery of the trace fossil Sinusichnus cf. seilacheri in Upper Ordovician (Hirnantian) carbonates on Anticosti Island, eastern Canada, marks the oldest record of this ichnogenus, previously unknown before the Triassic and unreported from North America. These branched, sinusoidal burrows, found abundantly at the base of the Oncolite Bed in the Ellis Bay Formation, indicate a regional discontinuity surface during the multiphase Ordovician mass-extinction event. Unlike Mesozoic and Cenozoic records linked to decapod or isopod crustaceans, these burrows likely represent the activity of other arthropods with unknown affinity, suggesting a combined dwelling, locomotion, and feeding behavior. This finding extends the geological range of Sinusichnus by over 200 million years and provides new insights into Ordovician paleoecology.

The Transnational Cult of Mount Wutai

Mount Wutai — 2019 — WHE588FBCFA9C

Mount Wutai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in China, has been a sacred place for over 1500 years, with its significance extending across East Asia. This study reveals how both local actors and distant individuals have collaboratively shaped and reshaped Mount Wutai's status as a holy site through the centuries. By analyzing familiar visual and textual sources alongside understudied noncanonical materials, the research provides new insights into the dynamic nature of sacred geography and its evolution over time.

The Trichoptera diversity of Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, with description of a new species in the family Pisuliidae

Nyungwe National Park — 2019 — WHE9CB586F7D8

Scientists have discovered a new species of Trichoptera, Silvatares laetae, within the family Pisuliidae, during a survey of Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda. This finding adds to the six Pisuliidae species previously recorded in East Africa, with five being endemic to Tanzania and one to Uganda. The research involved collecting samples using Malaise and light traps in late October 2018, representing the first detailed study on Trichoptera diversity in Rwanda. The discovery highlights the region's rich biodiversity and contributes to ongoing efforts to document its insect fauna.

The Two Faces of Bodhgayā: Sacred to Buddhists and Hindus

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya — 2019 — WHEB3DB186D19

Bodhgaya, home to the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, has long been a site of shared reverence for both Buddhists and Hindus, with no recorded conflicts over its use despite differing religious practices. The study highlights that pluralism, allowing multiple valid interpretations of truth, has historically prevailed here, enabling peaceful coexistence. Both groups engage in elaborate rituals centered around reinterpreted religious texts, reflecting their devotion without tension. This harmony suggests a unique cultural and spiritual dynamic where diverse traditions coexist harmoniously, offering insights into the resilience of shared sacred spaces.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70: Indigenous rights and the Uluru Statement from the Heart

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park — 2019 — WHE8C6BEA8941

A landmark analysis highlights the enduring relevance of Indigenous voices in global human rights discourse, drawing parallels between Bill Onus' 1950s protest slogan and the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The study underscores how Indigenous rights have evolved since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted 70 years ago, emphasizing the need for structural reforms to address historical injustices and achieve true reconciliation. By critically examining the UDHR's impact on Indigenous peoples' rights in Australia, the research reveals persistent gaps between international human rights frameworks and their implementation, particularly concerning land rights, self-determination, and cultural preservation. The approach combines historical analysis with contemporary legal and political scrutiny, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges and progress of Indigenous rights advocacy.

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley

Upper Middle Rhine Valley — 2019 — WHE774B5712B9

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, stands out as Germany's sole organic cultural landscape. A comprehensive Masterplan developed in 2013 addresses the significant challenges threatening this unique region, which spans from Mainz to Koblenz and encompasses historic cities, vineyards, and vital transport routes. The valley has faced persistent pressures, highlighted by seven state of conservation reports between 2008 and 2017, underscoring the complexities of balancing preservation with development in such culturally rich landscapes. This study synthesizes these challenges and the Masterplan's responses, offering a model for managing other cultural landscapes globally.

The Use of Geoinformatics for Geoarchaeological Studies: A comparison between Prambanan Temple and Bojongmenje Temple

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2019 — WHE2B4796AF1A

Geoinformatics studies reveal significant insights into the relationship between temple location patterns and geomorphological conditions, particularly for Hindu and Buddhist temples in Java. The research demonstrates that the strategic placement of temples like Prambanan and Bojongmenje reflects an understanding of geological and geomorphological factors by ancient societies. By analyzing satellite imagery, DEM data, and field observations, the study uncovers how these elements influenced temple construction and settlement patterns. This interdisciplinary approach, combining geoinformatics with geoarchaeology, offers a novel perspective on historical land-use practices and the interaction between human cultures and their environment.

The Use of Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Images and Open-Source Software for Cultural Heritage: An Example from Paphos Area in Cyprus for Mapping Landscape Changes after a 5.6 Magnitude Earthquake

Paphos — 2019 — WHE8108B86561

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Cyprus's Paphos region, captured via Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery, revealed significant landscape changes with a maximum uplift of 74 mm and subsidence of 31 mm. This study demonstrates the potential of open-access Copernicus datasets and open-source software like SNAP and SNAPHU to monitor seismic impacts on cultural heritage sites, including those listed by UNESCO. By employing Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (D-InSAR), researchers mapped ground deformations triggered by the 2015 earthquake, offering a scalable approach for assessing geological risks in heritage-rich areas.