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Showing 18461 – 18480 of 30345 publications

Hacia la gestión unificada del espacio cultural y natural de las Médulas: anhelo teórico y necesidad urgente

Las Médulas — 2018 — WHEB81A6B84D5

Las Médulas stands as a unique testament to the Roman Empire's gold extraction methods from two millennia ago. The site's geological features and historical vestiges attract thousands of visitors annually, posing significant challenges for heritage, territorial, socio-political, and economic management. This study advocates for a unified management model that integrates existing assets, balancing economic interests with broader patrimonial considerations. It highlights the urgent need to reconcile the diverse interests of stakeholders within the Cultural and Natural Space of Las Médulas, ensuring sustainable and holistic preservation.

Halmyris: Geoarchaeology of a fluvial harbour on the Danube Delta (Dobrogea, Romania)

Danube Delta — 2018 — WHE9571085C38

Research at the Danube Delta reveals that the Roman fortress of Halmyris, established on a pre-existing Getic settlement, was strategically positioned to leverage natural fluvial features for maritime access. A multiproxy study combining sedimentology and palaeoecology identified a secondary channel of the Saint George River, which flowed north of the site from the 7th century BC to the 7th century AD, likely serving as a natural harbor. This finding sheds light on Halmyris' geomorphological advantages, including protection from floods due to its location on a palaeo-cliff top, and enhances understanding of human-environment interactions in deltaic settings over millennia.

Hares and Small Rodent Cycles: a 45-year Perspective on Predator-prey Dynamics in the Yukon Boreal Forest

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2018 — WHE18E89EDD05

A 45-year study in the Yukon's boreal forest reveals shifting predator-prey dynamics, with snowshoe hare cycles potentially decreasing in amplitude while red-backed vole cycles intensify. Microtus voles, previously fluctuating independently, became synchronous post-1998, though their dominant species varied. Deer mice exhibited irregular patterns, disappearing entirely for five years in the early 1990s. Predation drives hare cycles but its role in small rodent dynamics remains unclear, suggesting social behavior may play a critical yet untested role. The study highlights complex, out-of-phase fluctuations between hares and voles, challenging universal explanations for boreal forest boom-bust dynamics.

Hatra: Il territorio e l’urbanistica

Hatra — 2018 — WHEFA763F80E1

Hatra, a sprawling ancient city in Iraq's Jazira region, reached its zenith between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, spanning nearly 300 hectares as the capital of a strategic buffer state between the Parthian and Roman empires. New research reveals detailed insights into Hatra's territorial morphology, hydrology, and geology, offering fresh interpretations on resource exploitation, periurban road networks, and political control during its peak. The study leverages both published data from international archaeological missions and previously unpublished records from the Italian Archaeological Mission at Hatra, spanning 15 years of fieldwork. It also sheds light on urban planning principles, including the city's hydrological systems, road infrastructure, and key urban elements such as temples, necropolises, defenses, and residential structures. Additionally, it proposes revised chronologies for Hatra's urban development phases, from its foundation to its destruction by the Sasanids in 241 AD.

Hearing the silence: finding the middle ground in the spatial humanities? Extracting and comparing perceived silence and tranquillity in the English Lake District

The English Lake District — 2018 — WHEC567C32CC2

Silence and tranquillity in the English Lake District have become more positively associated in contemporary descriptions compared to historical ones, reflecting their growing value as components of landscape perception. This shift is evident through a decline in mentions of absolute silence and an increased contrast with anthropogenic sounds in modern texts. The study employed macro and microreading techniques on historical and contemporary corpora to develop a taxonomy of aural experiences, while sentiment analysis revealed that silence and tranquil sounds are overwhelmingly positive in descriptions, particularly today. Mapping confirmed the enduring influence of Wordsworth’s writing and identified pockets of tranquillity near transport arteries in modern accounts.

Heavy metal contamination status in seven fish species from reservoirs of Polonnaruwa district, Sri Lanka

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa — 2018 — WHECC95FD6DF1

A concerning level of heavy metal contamination has been identified in seven fish species from the reservoirs of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. The study found that lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were significantly concentrated in the head regions of these fish, with Pb reaching up to 22.44 mg/Kg in Heteropneustes fossilis from Minneriya reservoir and Cd at 4.98 mg/Kg in Oreochromis niloticus from Kaudulla reservoir. Chromium (Cr) concentrations peaked at 30.87 mg/Kg, while zinc (Zn) was the most abundant metal detected across all sampled regions, with a notable concentration of 118.93 mg/Kg in Oligolepsis acutipennis from Minneriya. Copper (Cu) levels were highest in H. fossilis at 2.92 mg/Kg. Critically, concentrations of these metals in the head parts of popular edible species like Oreochromis mossambicus and Etroplus suratensis exceeded the FAO/WHO provisional tolerable weekly intake limits for Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn. This suggests potential health risks from long-term consumption, particularly concerning for local populations relying on these fish as a dietary staple.

Heritage destruction and cultural rights: insights from Bagan in Myanmar

Bagan — 2018 — WHEB6EC01E6D8

A critical examination of the destruction of cultural heritage reveals that broad statements about cultural rights violations may oversimplify complex, context-dependent dynamics. Using Bagan, Myanmar, as a case study, the research highlights the contested nature of heritage protection and the multifaceted motivations behind destructive practices, challenging narrow definitions of 'heritage' and 'destruction.' The study underscores the need for nuanced, contextualized approaches to understanding cultural rights, moving beyond hegemonic perspectives that assume intentional destruction is always ideologically motivated or aggressive.

Heritage interests: Americanism, Europeanism and Neo-Ottomanism

Stari Ras and Sopoćani — 2018 — WHE8F6E863558

Heritage practices in the Novi Pazar district of Serbia reveal complex intersections of Americanism, Europeanism, and Neo-Ottomanism, challenging traditional narratives centered on Christian identities and medieval Raška. The study demonstrates that UNESCO's World Heritage approach, while committed to preserving legacies like Imperial Rome and medieval Raška, overlooks the region's hyper-connectivity—driven by transnational interests from Europe, Turkey, the U.S., Asia, and the Middle East—that reshapes physical landscapes, Islamic identities, and diplomatic spheres. By analyzing these processes, the research highlights the need for heritage frameworks to account for multidimensional influences that transcend historical silos.

Heritage management and conservation activities at World Heritage Sites.

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range — 2018 — WHE57E38152BE

Heritage management at UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHSs) is significantly influenced by postmodernism and globalization, shaping both conservation approaches and responsibilities. This study examines the complexities of heritage management through philosophical perspectives, duty frameworks, tourism impacts, and cultural differences between Eastern and Western views. Using 'Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range' as a case study, it highlights how these global phenomena interact with local conservation efforts, revealing nuanced challenges in preserving cultural heritage while balancing tourism and community engagement.

Heritage Temples, Replicas, and Repetitions: Theorizing the Significance of Repeats as Resistance

Temple of Preah Vihear — 2018 — WHE7DC507ED27

Replicas of the Temple of Preah Vihear, rather than serving as peaceful symbols, have paradoxically intensified conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The study theorizes that these replicas, framed as 'repeats,' challenge traditional notions of a single 'original' temple, thereby disrupting dominant heritage discourses and power relations. Drawing on linguistic theories of repetition, the research argues that while such repeats could potentially foster peace-building by resisting oppressive discursive orders, their actual impact has been to exacerbate tensions in the border region.

Herodotus on Sacred Marriage and Sacred Prostitution at Babylon

Babylon — 2018 — WHE90A80E09FF

A critical re-evaluation of Herodotus' accounts reveals that his depiction of 'sacred prostitution' at Babylon was not inherently biased but rather served to condemn religious prejudice universally, regardless of ethnicity. The study challenges the notion that later Roman interpretations misrepresented Herodotus' original perspective, instead arguing that his work reflects a broader Greek appreciation for Eastern norms and political symbolism. By comparing Herodotus' narrative with passages from Xenophon, Diodorus, and Strabo, researchers highlight how 'sacred marriage' rituals functioned as both divine epiphanies and tools for political legitimacy in ancient Near Eastern societies. This analysis underscores the nuanced nature of Herodotus' reporting and its role in critiquing religious intolerance across cultures.

Hierarchical value map of religious tourists visiting the Vatican City/Rome

Vatican City — 2018 — WHEB610B7D401

Researchers identified three prominent sets of values that drive religious tourism to Vatican City: religious and pious, spiritual, and tourism-related responsibility. The most significant connection found was between exploring the traditions and history of religious sites, leading to a genuine religious experience, which ultimately enhanced faith and spirituality. This insight was derived using means-end chain theory, analyzing foreign tourists' perceptions of Catholic religious sites when their primary purpose was religious tourism.

High Gothic Sculpture and Painting

Amiens Cathedral — 2018 — WHE66746E6561

High Gothic sculpture and painting of the thirteenth century demonstrated a synthesis of divergent ideas, creating a new Christian classicism characterized by dignity and power. This study focuses on the transept portals of Chartres Cathedral and the façades of Amiens and Reims, analyzing four Coronations of the Virgin in varying sizes and media, as well as two stained-glass windows at Chartres. The research reveals that the majestic poise, classic grandeur, and spiritual calm of High Gothic sculpture are evident even in smaller objects, such as the reliquary of Saint Stephen. The transepts of Chartres Cathedral were carved approximately fifty years after the Royal Portals of the west façade, with work on the north transept likely beginning around 1204 following a fire in 1194.

High Resolution Drone Surveying of the Pista Geoglyph in Palpa, Peru

Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa — 2018 — WHE10DC97AB90

A high-resolution drone survey of the Pista geoglyph in Palpa, Peru, has uncovered previously undetected geoglyphs, including depictions of a bird and a guinea pig, alongside other small drawings. This discovery significantly expands our understanding of the Nasca Lines' complexity and construction techniques. The study demonstrates that drones can achieve finer resolution (beyond 35–50 cm) compared to satellite imagery, revealing ground-level details invisible from above. This approach enhances documentation efforts for remote or hazardous sites, offering new insights into ancient geoglyph creation and use.

Hippomaneae (Euphorbiaceae) no Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brasil

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2018 — WHEA5AD7EAEAC

A taxonomic treatment of the Hippomaneae tribe (Euphorbiaceae) in Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, Brazil, identifies 15 species across five genera, with Microstachys and Sapium being the most diverse. Notably, Sapium haematospermum is recorded for the first time in Goiás state. The study, based on monthly collections since 2011, herbarium analyses, and literature reviews, provides identification keys, descriptions, taxonomic comments, and transfers two Sebastiania species to Microstachys while lectotypifying one species. This research contributes significantly to the understanding of a poorly studied but ecologically important group within a biodiverse UNESCO World Heritage Site.

História, Patrimíâ?Nio e Memória SensáVel: o Cais do Valongo no Rio de Janeiro

Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site — 2018 — WHE685BF02E59

Valongo Wharf, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, stands as a pivotal archaeological and historical site that sheds light on the transatlantic slave trade and its profound impact on African descendants in Brazil. The study underscores Valongo Wharf's significance as a 'sensitive memory' site, encapsulating the violence, suffering, and resistance associated with slavery while offering comparative insights into global human tragedies. Through historical analysis, the research explores how this site serves as both a testament to the atrocities of the past and a symbol of Black resistance and cultural affirmation in Rio de Janeiro.

Historic Houses as Pillars of Memory: Cases from Cairo, Egypt

Historic Cairo — 2018 — WHE9A32C3C547

Historic houses in Cairo, Egypt, can serve as pillars of memory for their surrounding communities when conservation efforts extend beyond physical restoration to include social and moral dimensions. This study reveals that while preserving the built environment is crucial, it alone does not guarantee the continuation of urban memory. Instead, a comprehensive approach—incorporating spatial, social, and cultural aspects—is necessary to stimulate and consolidate collective memory. The research investigates two historic houses in Cairo, highlighting the distinction between restoration and conservation, and underscores the importance of capturing urban memory for current and future generations. Findings suggest that local conservation approaches often overlook this critical aspect, emphasizing the need for a more holistic strategy.

Historic reconstructions

Landscape of Grand Pré — 2018 — WHEA4BC2B5965

Historic reconstructions, particularly those within UNESCO World Heritage Sites, serve as powerful tools for preserving collective memory and group identity. This study examines the chapel at the Landscape of Grand Pré, a Canadian site, to analyze how such reconstructions evolve, drawing parallels with European precedents like Viollet-le-Duc’s work on Carcassonne and Burges’ reconstruction of Castell Coch. It explores late-twentieth-century examples, including the Globe Theatre in London and the Frauenkirche in Dresden, while also considering influential policies such as the U.S. federal standards and Australia’s Burra Charter. The research highlights the role of ICOMOS documents, like the Nara Document on Authenticity and the Riga Charter, in shaping reconstruction practices. By comparing U.S. and Canadian approaches, the study underscores the tension between authenticity, heritage preservation, and contemporary interpretation.

Historical and recent impacts on genetic structure of an island rabbit

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2018 — WHEC8B6B6216C

A genetic analysis of the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) on Tokunoshima Island reveals two distinct genetic groups, corresponding to northern and southern forested areas. These groups exhibit admixture in nuclear genomes but no gene flow in mitochondrial genomes, indicating historical divergence. The study estimates their separation occurred approximately 4,320 years ago, with the southern population showing higher genetic diversity but signs of recent inbreeding and a bottleneck. Human activities, including Stone Age influences, deforestation for sugar plantations (~300 years ago), and recent disturbances, likely shaped these patterns. The findings underscore the need to consider complex intra-island factors for effective conservation strategies of endemic mammals on islands.

Historical Areas of Misiones as Heritages: Critical Reflections for a Communal Archaeology Proposal

Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil) — 2018 — WHE0891F3E091

A critical reflection on the relationship between archaeological heritage, local communities, and patrimonial assets reveals how Guaraní-Jesuit missions, particularly those in Argentina's Misiones region, are appropriated and modified over time by local communities. The study highlights that while San Ignacio Mini is the most visited and resource-rich site among the UNESCO-listed reductions, others like Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto, and Santa María la Mayor suffer from underutilization and lack of activities. Using the case of Concepción de la Sierra, where the ancient reduction of Nuestra Señora de Ibitiracua was located, the research demonstrates how local communities shape archaeological heritages independently of elitist international categories. This communal approach challenges traditional perspectives on heritage management and emphasizes the dynamic, evolving nature of patrimonial assets.