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Publications

Showing 1761 – 1780 of 15962 publications

Church and Fortress. Religious Buildings within Fortifications in Byzantine North Africa

Dougga / Thugga — 2025 — WHEED281D979A

A groundbreaking analysis reveals that churches within Byzantine military fortifications in North Africa, such as those at Thamugadi and Dougga, served multifaceted roles beyond mere religious functions. These structures acted as centers for garrison services, storage for military standards, and venues for diplomatic meetings, while also providing refuge for local populations and potentially housing monastic communities. The study underscores the significant overlap between military and civilian spaces during the 6th and 7th centuries, challenging traditional assumptions about the separation of these functions. By synthesizing archaeological evidence from key sites, the research highlights the need for further investigation to fully elucidate the complex roles of these fortified churches in Byzantine North Africa.

Circle of the Authors of the Sukhum Diocese Publication “Employee of the Transcaucasian Mission”. D.I. Gulia. K.D. Machavariani

Historical Monuments of Mtskheta — 2025 — WHE309852C093

The magazine 'Employee of the Transcaucasian Mission' (1912–1916), the first printed organ of the Sukhum diocese, significantly contributed to the development of Abkhaz culture, science, and literature through the works of D.I. Gulia and K.D. Machavariani. These educators, known for their role in creating the 'Abkhaz Alphabet,' published influential articles that addressed contemporary needs and historical preservation, such as Gulia's 'What Abkhazia Needs' and Machavariani's 'The Ancient Bedia Temple and Its Treasures.' Their publications, guided by Bishop Andrey (Ukhtomsky), reflected a structured program aligned with the diocese's goals. The study analyzes the cultural and historical context of these works, revealing their importance in shaping the authors' creative paths.

Cities as Actors in International Relations

City of Valletta — 2025 — WHEA96FDFC4E5

Cities, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Dubrovnik and Valletta, are emerging as influential actors in international relations, demonstrating capabilities in negotiation, humanitarian response, and policy innovation. A study analyzing these cities' roles during the COVID-19 pandemic found that they effectively reconciled goals of being thriving cruise ports, preserving their heritage status, and adopting smart city concepts through paradiplomatic strategies and international network engagement. This challenges traditional views of cities as mere administrative units under national control, positioning them as key participants in global governance.

CLARA Review: J. Bonetto, G. Furlan, C. Previato, A.R. Ghiotto, E. Madrigali & V. Centola (eds) Scavi di Aquileia II. Aquileia fondi Cossar. 2. La domus di Tito Macro e le mura, vols. I, II and III. Rome: Edizioni Quasar 2024

Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia — 2025 — WHE834F913320

Recent volumes of the 'Scavi di Aquileia' series, published in 2024, present significant findings from fifteen years of archaeological research at the Cossar plot in Aquileia, an Imperial Period residential area. These volumes, edited by Jacopo Bonetto and others, include detailed analyses of the domus of Tito Macro and the city's walls, building upon earlier studies dating back to 1870. The series, supported by the University of Padua and the Aquileia Foundation, consolidates archival documents, numismatic findings, and a comprehensive study of cooking pottery, offering new insights into the urban development and material culture of ancient Aquileia.

Clergyman as a Subject and Object of Death Commemoration in Late Medieval Prussian Town

Medieval Town of Toruń — 2025 — WHE076CF90A69

A rare glimpse into the intersection of religious and civic life in Late Medieval Prussia emerges from detailed records of four priest-led foundations in Toruń. These institutions, established by affluent clergy who were also prominent town members, reveal that priests were not merely spiritual providers but active participants in commemorative practices benefiting both themselves and the community. The study highlights the financial underpinnings and societal roles of these foundations, offering unprecedented insights into the bourgeois religious culture of the era.

Climate Adaptability Analysis of Traditional Dwellings in Mountain Terraced Areas: A Case Study of ‘Mushroom Houses’ in the Hani Terraces of Yunnan, China

Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces — 2025 — WHEF2D85C7BB5

Traditional Hani 'Mushroom Houses' in the Honghe Rice Terraces of Yunnan, China, demonstrate remarkable climate adaptability through passive design strategies that stabilize indoor environments despite high temperatures, humidity, and significant diurnal variations. A 30-year meteorological analysis revealed that building orientation (northwest-facing), multi-story zoning, thick walls, and thatched roofs play critical roles in regulating thermal comfort. Field measurements confirmed the effectiveness of natural ventilation and climate-buffering storage layers in maintaining stable conditions. The study provides empirical evidence for optimizing traditional dwellings to enhance insulation and ventilation, offering sustainable solutions for similar climatic regions.

Climate Change, Coastal Heritage Digitization, and Local Community Engagement at the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani World Heritage Site, Tanzania

Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara — 2025 — WHE0EFF15A123

Rising sea levels, tropical cyclones, and saltwater intrusion are accelerating the degradation of Kilwa Kisiwani’s UNESCO-listed monuments—including the Great Mosque and Husuni Kubwa—as well as its shipwrecks, ceramics, and beads. Paleoenvironmental evidence links past climatic shifts to settlement pattern changes, underscoring the site’s vulnerability. To counter these threats, a multi-pronged digitization effort has been launched: drone surveys map erosion hotspots, underwater recording captures submerged shipwrecks, and a mobile app logs tangible and intangible heritage in real time while training local staff. Community engagement ties these initiatives to economic benefits—museum exhibits, cultural festivals, music videos, and locally made products—ensuring sustainable livelihoods alongside conservation. The project’s integration with Tanzania’s National Monument Record database provides a scalable model for climate-resilient heritage management.

Climate Sensitivities of National Parks in the Rocky Mountains

Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks — 2025 — WHE7C33CDB700

Climate change is significantly altering the landscape and resources of national parks within the Rocky Mountains, with impacts expected to intensify. This report highlights how changes in climate drivers—such as temperature shifts and extreme weather events—are affecting natural resources, cultural heritage, visitor experiences, and infrastructure across these parks. By analyzing regional-scale data from southern Colorado to the Montana–Canadian border, researchers have identified key sensitivities that could guide adaptive management strategies. The study provides projections for future climate trends, offering actionable insights for park conservation efforts.

Climate-adaptive prediction of wind erosion risks for earthen heritage under multi-scenario futures

Xixia Imperial Tombs — 2025 — WHE600B33ACC0

A novel framework integrating centimeter-scale LiDAR modeling, high-resolution CFD simulations, and CMIP6 climate data predicts nonlinear wind erosion risks for earthen heritage sites under multiple future scenarios. Applied to the Xixia Imperial Tombs, this approach reveals that moderate climate forcing (SSP2–4.5) poses higher long-term degradation risk than extreme scenarios (SSP5–8.5), with significant interannual variability and uncertainty ranges. The study advances predictive modeling of climate-driven hazards in arid regions, offering critical insights for resilient conservation strategies under UNESCO’s climate action framework.

Climate–Growth Sensitivity Reveals Species-Specific Adaptation Strategies of Montane Conifers to Warming in the Wuyi Mountains

Mount Wuyi — 2025 — WHE75D9E7807F

Subtropical montane conifers exhibit distinct, species-specific adaptation strategies to climate change, with Pinus taiwanensis showing consistent temperature sensitivity and increasing growth response to summer warming, while Cryptomeria fortunei's growth is primarily regulated by moisture availability. This study employed dendroclimatological methods to analyze long-term climate-growth relationships in the Wuyi Mountains, revealing divergent responses: P. taiwanensis' radial growth positively correlated with summer temperatures (current and previous year), whereas C. fortunei's growth was influenced by precipitation patterns from the previous autumn and winter. These findings underscore the need for species-specific adaptive forest management strategies to maintain ecosystem services under future climate change.

Clonalidad y envejecimiento de Cytisus supranubius (Fabaceae) en la alta montaña de Tenerife.

Teide National Park — 2025 — WHE33B3E22CDD

Over half of the Cytisus supranubius shrub population in Teide National Park, Tenerife, is experiencing significant aging, with only 4% of individuals being juveniles. This study reveals a critical decline in sexual reproduction, exacerbated by clonal individuals producing fewer flowers, which worsens regeneration issues. The research attributes these problems primarily to the invasive European rabbit, highlighting urgent needs for better population control and conservation strategies to reverse this trend.

Codifying a Cosmos: The Integrated Information System of Quipu, Chasqui Messengers, and the Qhapaq Ñan in Inca Imperial Governance

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System — 2025 — WHE1BAAE82D71

The Inca Empire's administrative prowess was underpinned by an integrated information system comprising quipus (knotted-cord records), chasqui messengers, and the Qhapaq Ñan road network. This study reveals that these components functioned synergistically as a cohesive data management system, enabling efficient collection, storage, transmission, and processing of information critical for political, economic, and military operations. By synthesizing archaeological evidence, colonial-era chronicles, and modern information theory, the research demonstrates how this non-literate yet sophisticated system allowed the Inca state to manage tribute, mobilize armies, conduct censuses, and exert social control over vast territories spanning from Colombia to Chile. The findings highlight the elegance and efficiency of pre-Columbian statecraft, offering insights into diverse strategies of human governance.

Cold Air Pools (CAPs) as Natural Freezers for the Study of Plant Responses to Low Temperatures

Teide National Park — 2025 — WHE5EFC6D27F9

Cold Air Pools (CAPs) in volcanic landscapes, such as Teide National Park, act as natural freezers where temperatures can plummet dramatically due to the accumulation of cold air under specific topographic and atmospheric conditions. These unique microenvironments, which can persist for days or weeks, provide an opportunity to study plant responses to extreme low temperatures in situ. Unlike surrounding areas, CAPs exhibit distinct biotic communities, suggesting they may serve as microrefugia for biodiversity amid climate warming. This review hypothesizes the ecophysiological adaptations of plants inhabiting these environments and proposes their use as natural laboratories to investigate temperature-induced stress responses without artificial manipulation.

Collaborative governance and conflict management in transboundary protected areas for watercourses: insights from marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction

Fertö / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHE502BCA4F55

Effective management of transboundary protected areas (TPAs) for watercourses hinges on collaborative governance, integrated ecosystem approaches, and broad stakeholder involvement. A study analyzing five TPAs—including the Fertö/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape—reveals that challenges such as conflicting governance systems and limited cooperation can be mitigated by adopting practices from marine protected areas (MPAs) beyond national jurisdiction. Strengthening governance structures, enhancing integrated management, and fostering stakeholder engagement are critical to conserving transboundary freshwater resources and serving the community of interest.

Colonial Legacies in Heritage Conservation in Algeria

Kasbah of Algiers — 2025 — WHE98822F332D

Algeria's heritage conservation efforts, particularly for the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Algiers, face significant challenges rooted in colonial legacies. This study reveals that contemporary conservation practices often fail to address these issues effectively, despite the country's rich cultural and historical assets. By analyzing pre-colonial valuation processes—such as Numidian 'mausoleum culture' and waqf traditions—the research argues for a shift toward homegrown conservation approaches inspired by indigenous care practices rather than French colonial models like 'secteurs sauvegardés.' The findings underscore the need to reconnect with Algeria's deep-seated heritage values to develop culturally appropriate conservation strategies.

Colonial Narratives and the Ruined Cities of Ceylon: Exploring the Earliest Architectural and Archaeological Documentation during the Colonial Period

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa — 2025 — WHE084D1C03A7

Colonial-era documentation efforts under British rule (1806–1948) laid the foundation for modern architectural and archaeological study of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities, including Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, and Sigiriya. These ruins, rediscovered in the mid-19th century by colonial administrators and professionals, were systematically recorded through archival, cartographical, and iconographical research. This systematic approach culminated in the establishment of the Archaeological Survey of Ceylon, shaping the preservation and recognition of these sites as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Color reconstruction by photometric stereo with unknown lighting of rock art carvings found in two Sardinian Domus de Janas

Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas — 2025 — WHE83468E9CA0

A novel approach to photometric stereo imaging has successfully addressed computational challenges in reconstructing 3D color models of rock art carvings from Sardinian Domus de Janas tombs. The method introduces numerical indicators that assess dataset reliability, overcoming issues like non-Lambertian surface properties and insufficient light source distance. This advancement enables accurate digital documentation of fragile, immobile artifacts without altering their original location, preserving both cultural heritage and scientific analysis. By applying these techniques to two Sardinian sites, researchers demonstrate a robust solution for studying prehistoric engravings that were previously difficult to capture due to lighting and surface irregularities.

Colors on the Architectural Surfaces of the Church and Casa da Misericordia/ Lar Imaculada Conceição in São Cristóvão Se/Br

São Francisco Square in the Town of São Cristóvão — 2025 — WHE338F90ECA9

A comprehensive analysis of the pigments and chromatic characteristics on the architectural surfaces of São Francisco Square's historic buildings in São Cristóvão, Brazil, reveals insights into their color composition and potential preservation methods. The study identified distinct hues, brightness levels, and saturation degrees using advanced color measurement systems like the NCS and Munsell tables, alongside a digital colorimeter (RM200). These findings not only contribute to the understanding of traditional color usage in heritage conservation but also suggest pathways for restitution and preservation, leveraging both ancient techniques and modern methodologies. The research, part of a broader initiative under UNESCO's World Heritage Site designation, sheds light on the cultural significance and material properties of these landmarks, aiding in their long-term conservation.

Combining the 3D Geological and Geostatistical Modelling of Gypsum Concentration, Using Historical Borehole and Blasthole Information

Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines — 2025 — WHE457CE00AA0

A novel integration of 3D geological and geostatistical modeling enhances the precision of gypsum concentration estimation at the UNESCO-listed 'Monte Tondo' quarry, Italy. By combining historical borehole data with blasthole information, researchers achieved a more accurate representation of gypsum deposits, reducing geological risk and improving mining efficiency. This approach addresses long-standing challenges in small-scale operations, offering a sustainable solution that aligns with environmental regulations. The study demonstrates the potential of geostatistical techniques beyond large metal mines, paving the way for broader adoption in industrial mineral extraction.

Commemorative Practices of National Identity as a Concept of Historical Memory (on the Example of the Historical and Archaeological Complex of Zhoukoudian, China)

Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian — 2025 — WHE8C6B2BBEA2

Commemorative practices at the Peking Man Site (Zhoukoudian) serve as a powerful tool for shaping national identity through historical memory. The study reveals that sensory-visual engagement with archaeological heritage significantly enhances public understanding and academic value, bridging gaps between state strategies and societal needs. By analyzing Zhoukoudian’s projects, researchers demonstrate how such practices expand horizons for state-society interaction, informing future development while adapting to challenges. This approach underscores the site’s role as a dynamic resource for both education and identity formation.