World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 1861 – 1880 of 15962 publications

Decolonisation Policy in Ukraine and Reflections of the Territorial Community (the Case of Odessa)

The Historic Centre of Odesa — 2025 — WHE7404549503

Post-2022 decolonization policies in Ukraine, analyzed through the case of Odesa, reveal a shift from hybrid historical memory to a dominant Ukrainian-centric narrative. The study demonstrates how the dismantling of imperial and Soviet symbols is being integrated into a mnemonic security strategy, reflecting the state's response to Russia's aggression. Using postcolonial theory, securitization theory, and discursive analysis, researchers highlight the tension between nationwide securitized logic and local cultural resistance in Odesa. The city serves as a 'mnemonic frond,' where hybrid identities clash with unifying state narratives, illustrating the complex interplay between anti-colonialism and regional identity.

Deconstructing Seokguram Grotto: Revisiting the Schematic Design

Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple — 2025 — WHE26F9336B9D

Seokguram Grotto, renowned for its sculptural artistry, is revealed to be a masterpiece of rational architectural design. Contrary to prior assumptions that it relied on irrational numbers like √2, this study demonstrates that the grotto's dimensions follow an integer-based proportional system using 12 cheok as the main module and binary division, facilitating practical construction. The research employs the concept of design constraints to analyze its dimensional system and scene perception, identifying external (e.g., Bodhgaya Buddha dimensions, cosmological symbolism) and internal (visual coordination between the Buddha's head and nimbus stone) factors. Findings show that the pedestal’s height and position were iteratively adjusted, and the arched headstone served as a threshold to ensure perfect alignment from the viewer’s perspective. This challenges the notion of Seokguram being purely aesthetic, highlighting its tectonics of empathy—prioritizing human-scale intimacy and visual harmony over vertical transcendence.

Deep Learning and Transformer Models for Groundwater Level Prediction in the Marvdasht Plain: Protecting UNESCO Heritage Sites—Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rustam

Persepolis — 2025 — WHE2F52F8F0B9

A transformer-based deep learning model achieves high accuracy (R² = 0.83, RMSE = 6.15 m) in predicting groundwater levels and subsidence rates near UNESCO World Heritage Sites Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rustam, outperforming traditional deep learning methods by over 40%. The model integrates synthetic aperture radar data with hydrometeorological and biophysical parameters to quantify groundwater stress, revealing critical subsidence risks (exceeding 200 mm/year) that threaten Achaemenid stone reliefs. This approach provides a scalable framework for early-warning systems in heritage conservation, offering actionable insights for sustainable aquifer management.

Deep Mapping the Asklepieion of Pergamon: Charting the Path Through Challenges, Choices, and Solutions

Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHE1084062D04

Deep mapping emerges as a transformative approach for understanding the complex, multi-layered cultural landscapes of ancient sacred sites. This study applies deep mapping to the Asklepieion of Pergamon, a sanctuary with over 700 years of history, by integrating archaeological, epigraphic, and literary data into GIS layers (shapefiles). The research highlights the challenges and choices in structuring this diverse data for spatial analysis while also presenting it via story maps as a public outreach tool. By triangulating space with divine authority and human narratives, deep mapping offers unprecedented insights into the dynamics of ancient sacred landscapes, demonstrating its potential to enrich both academic research and public engagement.

Deer Stone from Mezhelik (Eastern Altai)

Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites — 2025 — WHE4CC8796BB5

A newly discovered deer stone from the Mezhelik site in Eastern Altai, Russia, provides significant insights into Bronze Age art and cultural continuity. The monument, dated to the 8th–6th centuries BC based on its Arzhan-Mayemir style depictions of a boar and a curled feline predator, showcases a rare juxtaposition of predator and herbivore, symbolizing themes of sacrifice, fertility, and cyclical life. Belonging to the Sayan-Altai type, this deer stone also reveals evidence of reuse during the Early Turkic period (6th – first half of 7th centuries AD), serving as part of memorial enclosures or balbals, highlighting genetic continuity in statuary traditions. The study combines descriptive analysis with stylistic and chronological interpretation to contextualize the artifact within broader Siberian and Mongolian archaeological narratives.

Defiant and resilient voices from the field

Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town — 2025 — WHEAA08C2F629

Social workers in Area C of the West Bank face severe challenges, including lack of security, cultural norms restricting trauma responses, institutional limitations, psychological toll from secondary trauma, and burnout due to multiple responsibilities. These factors significantly hinder their ability to effectively deliver psychosocial support services in a colonial context like Palestine. The study, based on 27 years of experience with the Psychosocial Counseling Center for Women, highlights the resilience and defiance required by social workers to navigate these obstacles while advocating for women's rights and providing critical humanitarian aid during crises.

Deformation mechanisms of Dazu Rock Carvings ceiling based on negative Poisson’s ratio anchor support

Dazu Rock Carvings — 2025 — WHEF68FC63419

Negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) anchors effectively stabilize the ceiling of Yuanjue Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Chongqing, by limiting settlement to under 0.3 mm and mitigating deformation caused by intersecting cracks (C1, C2, C3). The study reveals that NPR supports are particularly effective at crack intersections and cave entrances, where structural unloading and interlayer cracks facilitate water infiltration. While the north rock mass exhibited cantilevered settlement along C1, NPR anchors successfully counteracted rainfall-induced deformation. This research provides a technical foundation for preserving stone cultural relics, demonstrating that NPR anchoring can significantly enhance stability in weathered heritage sites.

Delineating Hot Zone and Lineaments within Vredefort Crater in South Africa through Aeromagnetic Data Inversions

Vredefort Dome — 2025 — WHE45ED8E8D4E

Aeromagnetic data inversions reveal that the center of the Vredefort Dome exhibits a low Curie point depth (CPD), indicating high temperatures consistent with previous findings. This thermal anomaly extends southward, correlating with a multi-ring structure unique to Earth's impact craters. Structural analysis identifies linear faults/fractures trending NNE, NE, EW, and NS, with melt-dyke closures at the center and lineaments extending approximately 7 km deep. The fractal distribution suggests an angled meteorite impact that pushed southward.

Demand for mangrove ecosystem services and livelihood dependency in Lamu County, Kenya

Lamu Old Town — 2025 — WHE23958D907A

Nearly half of households in Lamu County, Kenya, report decreased dependency on mangrove ecosystem services due to alternative livelihoods, awareness campaigns, and regulatory measures. However, 69% remain directly dependent on these resources, with only 35% finding their needs adequately met—a mismatch influenced by livelihood type, socioeconomic factors like education level and proximity to mangroves, and urbanization pressures. The study highlights the urgent need for policies that balance conservation with community well-being through co-management, sustainable resource use, and income diversification.

Demography and Health Status of Hellenistic People from Pergamon, Elaia and Aigai

Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern name Vergina) — 2025 — WHE06D5314C46

A study of Hellenistic skeletal remains from Pergamon, Elaia, and Aigai reveals significant insights into the demography and health status of ancient populations. Analysis of 60 individuals indicated a high prevalence of diseases, including infections linked to poor heating and indoor air pollution, as well as stress markers suggesting early-life hardships. Stable isotope analyses further showed that those buried in monumental structures had higher protein intake compared to others, hinting at social stratification. Radiocarbon dating also uncovered the reuse of tombs across different historical periods, from Classical to Byzantine times. This research contributes to our understanding of Hellenistic paleodemography and paleopathology, offering a window into the health challenges and dietary practices of ancient societies in Asia Minor.

Des Héraclides aux Caesares . Note sur la continuité des généalogies joviennes à Nemausus

The Maison Carrée of Nîmes — 2025 — WHE09BF6B7E63

A new analysis reveals that the persistence of Jupiter's cult at Nemausus and the construction of the Maison Carrée temple reflect a deliberate ideological continuity, linking local Heraclidean traditions with imperial Roman lineage. The study identifies systematic efforts to trace an Olympian origin, providing fresh context for the temple's dedication to 'Princes of Youth.' Marble elements from a Doric portico near the Vierne Bridge further confirm this coherence, aligning Nemausus' religious and political landscape with Rome's eastern Forum during the Julio-Claudian era. The research combines archaeological evidence with historical genealogy to redefine the site's significance in Roman cultural integration.

Desafios da Conservação do Patrimônio Moderno:

Sítio Roberto Burle Marx — 2025 — WHEAC1A76C745

A critical analysis of the Sítio Roberto Burle Marx reveals severe structural degradation and loss of authenticity due to persistent water infiltration in its workshop roof. The study identifies key interventions needed to preserve the integrity of this modern architectural gem while mitigating further distortion of its original design. Researchers employed historical construction records, physical surveys, interviews, and technical documentation to diagnose the problem and propose conservation guidelines. This work aims to restore the building's structural stability and authenticity, ensuring its legacy as a significant cultural asset.

Description of a novel Ligia species from Nihoa, a remote island in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

Papahānaumokuākea — 2025 — WHED7EF5D4D68

A novel species of Ligia, named Ligia barack sp. nov., has been discovered on Nihoa, a remote island within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM). This finding significantly expands the known biodiversity of the PMNM and underscores the region's unique ecological significance. The discovery was made using molecular taxonomic approaches, which revealed that Ligia from Nihoa form a highly divergent and reciprocally monophyletic lineage distinct from other Hawaiian Ligia species. This study highlights the importance of continued exploration and conservation efforts in remote and biodiverse regions like the PMNM, where additional cryptic species may yet remain undiscovered.

Description of the second Calybium Morlet, 1892, and the first record of the genus for Vietnam’s terrestrial gastropod fauna (Neritimorpha: Helicinoidea: Helicinidae)

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park — 2025 — WHE48C380C52D

Researchers have identified and described Calybium plicatus, a new species of terrestrial gastropod (snail) belonging to the genus Calybium. This discovery marks the first record of the genus in Vietnam's terrestrial fauna, specifically within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park, part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The species was collected from Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh Province, Central Vietnam. Unlike its congener, Calybium massiei, C. plicatus exhibits a smaller shell size and distinct parietal wall features with six evenly spaced lamellae. This finding contributes to the understanding of biodiversity within these protected areas and expands the known distribution of the genus.

Descriptions of seven new Pilodeudorix

Nyungwe National Park — 2025 — WHEF6D99B7A66

Recent field surveys and genetic analysis have uncovered seven new species of the butterfly genus Pilodeudorix (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) across equatorial Africa, including three from West African upland forests and four from East and Central Africa. Notably, DNA sequencing revealed a 3.5% divergence between central/eastern and western populations of P. virgata, indicating cryptic species diversity. The study, conducted by Sáfián et al. (2025), combines morphological and genetic data to describe these new taxa, expanding our understanding of biodiversity in regions like Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, and the East Nimba Nature Reserve, Liberia.

Design and Development of a Smart Tourism Mobile Application for Borobudur: A Pilot Study

Borobudur Temple Compounds — 2025 — WHE4AB550CCAA

A pilot study of a smart tourism mobile application for Borobudur Temple Compounds, a UNESCO World Heritage site, revealed significant usability flaws despite its potential to enhance visitor experience. The app, designed with interactive maps and informational features, was tested using predefined scenarios and evaluated against ISO 9241-11 standards. While basic information functions performed well, navigation errors and user frustration were high, indicating marginal usability (average SUS score of 62.9). This data-driven analysis highlights critical design shortcomings while offering actionable insights for iterative development in cultural heritage tourism technology.

Design and Evaluation of a 2D Educational Game on Malaysian Cultural Heritage: Travel Game – Heritage Quest Journey to the Past

Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley — 2025 — WHE06A161499E

A 2D educational game, 'Travel Game: Heritage Quest – Journey to the Past,' effectively enhances awareness and understanding of Malaysia's tangible cultural heritage, particularly the Lenggong Valley and Perak Man. The game, developed using the Godot Engine (v4.0) under Agile methodology, combines interactive storytelling, puzzles, and NPC dialogues to promote heritage learning through exploration and problem-solving. Usability testing with 21 participants revealed high engagement scores (mean ≥ 4.6/5), with qualitative feedback highlighting appreciation for its visual design, narrative structure, and cultural content. Participants demonstrated improved knowledge of Malaysian prehistoric heritage post-gameplay, suggesting that serious games can transform passive learning into interactive, meaningful experiences. This study offers a localized model for integrating educational games in both academic and tourism settings.

Design and Research of Project-based Teaching Serving Local Development: Construction and Inheritance of Cultural and Creative Products of "Taishan Mountain Picking Workers"

Mount Taishan — 2025 — WHE82BCF9924D

A novel approach to project-based teaching has been successfully applied to preserve and innovate the cultural heritage of Mount Taishan. This study demonstrates how integrating the historical culture of 'mountain-picking workers' into educational curricula can foster both cultural inheritance and creative product design, serving local development. By analyzing the metaphorical nature of cultural allusions and design symbols rooted in Mount Tai's background, researchers defined design themes and constructed two categories of cultural and creative products—daily necessities and decorative articles. This method not only clarifies the convergence between cultural elements and design but also effectively inherits China's traditional culture and spirit, offering a model for project-based teaching that bridges education, heritage preservation, and local economic growth.

Design of AR Content for Improving Artifact-centered Contextual Learning of Processional Paintings

Hwaseong Fortress — 2025 — WHEB8A633EDE9

A novel augmented reality (AR) design framework for processional paintings significantly enhances artifact-centered contextual learning, bridging historical narratives with modern digital experiences. This approach, applied to the Hwaneohaengneoldo folding screen depicting King Jeongjo's 1795 royal procession to Hwaseong Fortress, integrates a three-stage structure: fundamental artwork information, past-present geographical connections, and multi-marker-based AR interactions. Experimental results validate a learning pathway of geographical connection leading to concrete cognition and value recognition, demonstrating strong correlations between artifact connectivity and user engagement. Unlike traditional content-centric digital experiences, this method fosters intuitive understanding while preserving the authenticity and historical context of artifacts, offering a more engaging and effective educational tool for museums.

Detection and characterization of meteorological drought and its impacts in the UNESCO designated world heritage site of Konso Cultural Landscape, southern Ethiopia

Konso Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHE1BB20A62B6

Recent droughts, particularly severe in 1999, 2000, 2009, 2011, and 2022, are threatening the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Konso Cultural Landscape in southern Ethiopia. These droughts have significantly reduced agricultural productivity, disrupting traditional harvest rituals critical for intergenerational knowledge transfer. Additionally, they have altered architectural designs and pushed communities toward nonfarm livelihoods due to worsening conditions. The study used Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation Stations data (1981–2022) alongside qualitative methods to analyze drought patterns via the Standard Precipitation Index across wet seasons and annual scales, revealing higher frequency and severity in seasonal timescales. These findings underscore urgent policy needs for adaptation strategies to sustain the landscape's cultural integrity.