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Showing 18121 – 18140 of 30345 publications

Collapse or transformation? Regeneration and innovation at the turn of the first millennium BC at Arslantepe, Turkey

Arslantepe Mound — 2018 — WHE9B0C49DCF3

Excavations at Arslantepe Mound, southeastern Turkey, challenge the narrative of societal collapse by revealing sustained settlement continuity through two pivotal phases: the post-Hittite period and the emergence of Syro-Anatolian societies. This finding underscores a dynamic process of regeneration and innovation rather than abrupt decline during the transition from the second to the first millennium BC. The research employs stratified archaeological analysis, examining material culture and architectural remains to trace societal evolution. By focusing on cultural resilience and adaptive strategies, the study offers new insights into the complex dynamics shaping late Bronze Age to early Iron Age transformations in the region.

Colliding Urban Transformation Process: the Case of Historical Peninsula, Istanbul

Historic Areas of Istanbul — 2018 — WHE900899872B

Urban transformation in Istanbul's historic Golden Horn area reveals the tension between top-down planning and community participation, with significant implications for preserving social and spatial quality. The study compares three urban projects to expose their multidimensional structures, missions, and roles, highlighting how economic development goals often overshadow participatory processes that could enhance urban life. While all projects aim to upgrade the historic neighborhoods, their approaches vary in effectiveness, exposing both potentials and limitations of current urban transformation dynamics.

Colorimetric Evaluation of Pictorial Coatings in Conservation of Plasterworks from the Islamic Tradition

Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville — 2018 — WHEA9A1914E31

A colorimetric evaluation of protective treatments for traditional Islamic plasterworks revealed that consolidants, including barium hydroxide, acrylic copolymer, polyvinyl butyral, ethyl silicate, and bacterial carbonatogenesis, induced average color differences of 10.7 and 6.7 CIELAB units when compared to untreated specimens aged indoors and outdoors, respectively. These differences were consistent across two binders (animal glue and gum arabic) but varied among pigments, with blue and red pigments showing the highest changes. No statistically significant differences were found among the five consolidants or the two binders when outdoor-aged samples without consolidants served as a reference. Polyvinyl butyral emerged as the most effective consolidant for the tested paints, followed by ethyl silicate. The study analyzed 56 test specimens prepared to mimic original pictorial plaster remains from the Courtyard of the Maidens in the Real Alcázar, Seville and subjected them to natural ageing for one year.

Coltivare cibo baladii in Palestina

Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir — 2018 — WHED32F4F011D

In the Occupied Territories, particularly in Battir (Bethlehem), Palestinian farming practices reveal intricate links between environmental agency and political dynamics. The study highlights how local food cultivation patterns, rooted in familial knowledge, reflect broader national and regional politics of nature, including denial of both human 'Others' and environmental elements. Despite military occupation and border development, Palestinian farmers maintain autonomy through ecological relationality, challenging technofix utopias and nationalist perspectives that fail to address shared environmental challenges like overheating atmospheres and resource scarcity. The research underscores the interdependence between patterns of exclusion—both social and ecological—and the resilience of local knowledge in sustaining food sovereignty amid political and environmental upheaval.

Combining Close and Distant Reading: A Multiscalar Analysis of the English Lake District's Historical Soundscape

The English Lake District — 2018 — WHEC51B24B10D

A multiscalar approach, combining close and distant reading techniques, reveals significant shifts in the perception of sound within the English Lake District over the 18th and 19th centuries. This study introduces geographical text analysis (GTA), a novel method that leverages digital humanities tools to uncover historical-literary changes in soundscape descriptions. By analyzing a customized corpus of writings, researchers demonstrate how this approach can provide nuanced insights, bridging the gap between macroanalytic potential and detailed literary scholarship. The findings highlight the evolving relationship between sound perception and literary expression during this period.

Combining local knowledge and field surveys to determine status and threats to Timneh Parrots Psittacus timneh in Guinea-Bissau

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omatí Minhô — 2018 — WHE8A50A41D24

Timneh Parrots (Psittacus timneh), classified as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List, face rapid population declines due to habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade. A study in Guinea-Bissau revealed that these parrots are found on 22 of the 32 islands in the Bijagós archipelago, with the highest densities on remote islands far from human settlements. The research combined local knowledge from 42 interviews and field surveys across 19 islands, identifying 69 parrot groups, mostly concentrated on two islands (João Vieira and Meio). Interviewees reported declines in recent decades, suggesting that human activities are key drivers of population loss. This study highlights the critical need for targeted conservation efforts to protect these threatened birds.

Communicating archaeological heritage

Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley — 2018 — WHEDAA0DD3AC4

Archaeological heritage communication often prioritizes expert perspectives, but this study reveals that local communities' viewpoints are equally vital for humanistic insights and connecting the past to contemporary society. Through in-depth interviews with 20 representatives from diverse local groups in Lenggong Valley, Malaysia—including village heads and elders—the research uncovers how communities define and relate to heritage. The findings highlight a multilayered dimension of archaeological heritage that is deeply intertwined with modern social, cultural, and psychological contexts. Incorporating these broader dimensions into communication strategies could foster greater public interest and appreciation by making heritage more relevant and relatable.

Communicative mapping as a means for promoting legal land tenure: The case study of the Goedverwacht Moravian Mission Village, in the Western Cape, South Africa

Moravian Church Settlements — 2018 — WHEBE8DC9D4EB

Communicative mapping proves to be an effective tool for promoting legal land tenure in communal settlements, as demonstrated by the case study of Goedverwacht Moravian Mission Village. The research highlights that creating an interim cadastral map using general boundaries—sufficiently accurate for practical purposes—enhances spatial awareness and provides a foundation for legal recognition of land rights. This approach addresses the challenges posed by the Western Cape Land Use Planning Act, which requires integration into municipal zoning schemes, thereby offering a feasible solution for preserving communal church lifestyles while ensuring legal clarity.

Community engagement and pollution mitigation at Kandy Lake, Sri Lanka

Sacred City of Kandy — 2018 — WHEBE91C7B3D6

A collaborative project successfully demonstrated sustainable pollution mitigation at Kandy Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and culturally significant landmark in Sri Lanka. By integrating wastewater management technologies—such as floating wetlands and an aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR)—alongside community engagement initiatives, the study achieved measurable improvements in water quality. The research, conducted by the University of Peradeniya and Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, also fostered long-term cooperation among local authorities, schools, and government agencies. Post-project developments included expanded sewerage systems, centralized wastewater treatment, and the integration of Kandy Lake into urban planning, underscoring the project's lasting impact on heritage preservation and environmental sustainability.

Community-based spatial arrangement for sustainable village environmental improvement – case study of Candirejo Village, Borobudur, Indonesia

Borobudur Temple Compounds — 2018 — WHEB6C966B751

A community-driven spatial arrangement initiative in Candirejo Village, Borobudur, Indonesia, has demonstrated significant potential for sustainable environmental improvement. This case study reveals that long-term efforts—beginning with yard cleaning and greenery planting around 1980—have led to measurable enhancements in the village's ecological conditions. The research employs qualitative methods, including field observations, interviews, and literature reviews, to analyze the impact of these spatial interventions. Located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site Borobudur Temple, Candirejo Village has been recognized as an ecotourism destination since 2003, underscoring the effectiveness of community-led environmental strategies in preserving cultural heritage while fostering sustainability.

Comoé National Park – a refuge for critically endangered vulture species in West Africa

Comoé National Park — 2018 — WHE9844410FBB

Comoé National Park (CNP) in northeastern Côte d'Ivoire serves as a critical refuge for five vulture species, including the critically endangered Whiteheaded Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis). The park's diverse savannah-forest mosaic and gallery forests along major rivers provide essential habitats for these birds. A long-term study conducted between 1994 and 2000, totaling approximately 24 months of fieldwork, documented the presence and frequency of these species, highlighting CNP's ecological significance in West Africa. The research underscores the park's role as a stronghold for vulture conservation, particularly for threatened species facing decline elsewhere in the region.

Comparative Analysis

Abbey of St Gall — 2018 — WHEFE931A6721

A systematic evolution in geometric constructions underpins the architectural designs of abbeys and cathedrals from the 4th to 15th centuries, with increasing complexity evident from early examples like St Gall and Cologne to later structures such as Durham and Toulouse. This study reveals a strong correlation between proposed geometric systems and authenticated plans, demonstrating that while irregularities exist, they adhere closely to mathematical principles—with groups of compartments combining within 99.65% accuracy. Architectural affinities, such as those between Winchester and Ely or Tewkesbury and Gloucester, are mirrored by their geometric similarities or differences, respectively.

Comparative Analysis of Preclassic and Protoclassic Burial Practices at Izapa and in Southeastern Mesoamerica

National Archaeological Park Tak’alik Ab’aj — 2018 — WHE7DD75DF795

A comparative analysis of burial practices at Izapa, a key Preclassic and Protoclassic site in southeastern Mesoamerica, reveals significant shifts around 100 BCE that correlate with changes in political organization. While few burials were found in the ceremonial precinct, those identified—primarily from the Hato and Itstapa phases (100 BCE–250 CE)—highlight a transition in mortuary traditions. This study contextualizes Izapa's practices within regional patterns by comparing them to neighboring sites like El Ujuxte, Takalik Abaj, and Kaminaljuyu, offering insights into the site's evolving social structure during this pivotal period.

Comparative ecology of Pachyptila species breeding sympatrically at Gough Island

Gough and Inaccessible Islands — 2018 — WHEB46A249846

Gough Island hosts the world's largest populations of two sympatric prion species, Pachyptila vittata and P. macgillivrayi, with estimates suggesting 1.2–2.0 million breeding pairs. This study reveals significant ecological segregation between the species, including distinct at-sea foraging ranges—P. vittata forages within 1500 km northeast of the colony, while P. macgillivrayi operates within 1000 km south. Temporal segregation is also evident, with P. vittata breeding approximately three months earlier than P. macgillivrayi. Geolocation data, stable isotope analysis, and bill morphology studies further demonstrate trophic segregation, with P. vittata specializing in filter-feeding copepods and P. macgillivrayi exhibiting a more generalist foraging behavior. These findings advance the understanding of ecological strategies in these abundant but poorly studied seabirds.

Comparative Metagenomics Provides Insight Into the Ecosystem Functioning of the Shark Bay Stromatolites, Western Australia

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2018 — WHE3870A07279

Comparative metagenomic analysis of stromatolites in Shark Bay, Western Australia, reveals two distinct processes of stromatolite formation dependent on water depth. Intertidal pustular mats exhibit enriched photosynthesis pathways, while subtidal colloform and smooth mats show increased heterotrophic metabolisms linked to carbonate mineralization, such as sulfate reduction. These findings highlight the adaptive strategies and synergistic microbial interactions that drive stromatolite accretion, providing insights into the ecosystem functioning of these ancient organosedimentary structures.

Comparative Study of Type-Morphology Architecture Borobudur-Prambanan Temple of Angkor Wat Case Study on Mass Processes, Looks, Socks, and Ornaments

Borobudur Temple Compounds — 2018 — WHE14FB1D977F

A comparative analysis of Borobudur and Prambanan temples in Java reveals significant architectural influences on Angkor Wat, suggesting that Javanese temple designs predated and likely inspired their Khmer counterparts. The study found that while Angkor Wat incorporates elements from both Borobudur (e.g., mass, plan, figures) and Prambanan (e.g., indoor temple structures), its ornamentation reflects further development, distinct from earlier Javanese styles. Using quantitative and semi-qualitative methods, the research examined key architectural features across temples, confirming that Angkor Wat represents an eclectic synthesis of these influences, with Prambanan contributing stronger Hindu temple characteristics.

Comparing Automated and Manual Visitor Monitoring Methods: Integrating Parallel Datasets on Mount Fuji’s North Face

Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration — 2018 — WHE6A2294E7AB

A study on Mount Fuji's North Face reveals that automated visitor monitoring methods, such as passive infrared counters, significantly underreport climber traffic during peak periods like Friday and Saturday nights. The research integrated parallel datasets from the 6th (2390 m) and 8th (3000 m) stations, demonstrating temporal fluctuations in error rates between manual and automated counts. While a calibration correction coefficient was identified for more accurate data generation, the study underscores the need for further observational studies to refine monitoring methods. Improved visitor data reliability is crucial for addressing management challenges, including congestion and environmental impacts, and offers actionable insights for park planners and the Fujisan World Cultural Heritage Council.

Comparing Near Eastern Neolithic Megasites and Southwestern Pueblos: Population Size, Exceptionalism and Historical Trajectories

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2018 — WHEE904D74B80

Near Eastern Neolithic 'megasites,' such as Çatalhöyük, are often viewed as exceptional due to their size and early dates. However, a comparative analysis challenges this notion by drawing parallels with late prehispanic and historic-period pueblos in the American Southwest. The study argues that these sites share similar population sizes, layouts, and social organizations, suggesting they should be interpreted as large villages rather than unique phenomena. Four key factors—surface architectural visibility, regional intellectual traditions focusing on micro versus macro scales, overestimation of archaeological population estimates (especially for 'biggest' or 'earliest' sites), and perceptions of continuity with later periods—contribute to disparate interpretations. This research recontextualizes Çatalhöyük within broader global patterns, emphasizing the need to reconsider how such sites are understood.

Comparison of Horizontal Displacement from Horizontal Control Network Adjustment Result Using Observation Model and Time-Variant Methods (Case Study : Horizontal Control Network of Borobudur Temple, Epoch 2002, 2003 and 2012)

Borobudur Temple Compounds — 2018 — WHE2C378F5946

A comparative analysis of horizontal displacement at Borobudur Temple reveals significant differences between two geodetic adjustment methods. The study found that the least squares adjustment using an observation model with control point corrections showed substantial increases in displacement magnitude—averaging 7.97 mm (2002–2003) and 37.78 mm (2002–2012)—with consistent northwestward movement, while the time-variant method yielded smaller magnitudes but higher standard deviations (~0.5 mm). The time-variant approach also indicated a slight increase in displacement velocity (from 0.29 mm/year to 0.32 mm/year) with varying directions. These findings highlight the sensitivity of deformation analysis to adjustment techniques, underscoring the importance of precise control point modeling for accurate monitoring of heritage structures.

Comparison of Pollen Spectra and Amount of Mineral Content in Honey Produced by Apis florea F. and Apis mellifera L.

Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape — 2018 — WHEEB80344BF3

Honey produced by the wild honey bee species Apis florea contains significantly higher levels of several key minerals, including ash, potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn), compared to honey from domesticated subspecies like A. mellifera carnica and A. m. jemenitica, sourced from the same botanical origin, Ziziphus spp. in Al-Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia. This suggests a correlation between bee species and mineral content in honey. The study also revealed that Combretaceae was the dominant pollen source across all bee species, accounting for 51-63% of total pollen. Conducted during the sidir flow season at King Faisal University's apiary, this research highlights the potential influence of bee species on honey composition, which could have implications for both apiculture and the preservation of indigenous bee populations in UNESCO-listed cultural landscapes like Al-Ahsa Oasis.