World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 18921 – 18940 of 30345 publications

Purawalokanaya - The Virtual Tour to Ancient City of Polonnaruwa - Sri Lanka

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa — 2018 — WHEA7F39061D1

A realistic virtual reality (VR) application, 'Porawalokanaya,' has been developed to digitally preserve and experience the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. The application leverages advanced 3D modeling techniques using Autodesk Maya and Mudbox to capture intricate architectural details, combined with natural environments for an immersive experience. Built on the Unity platform with C# scripting, 'Porawalokanaya' offers users interactive exploration, narration, and a mini-map, simulating real-world visits. This innovative approach demonstrates how technology can effectively preserve and present prestigious heritage sites, bridging gaps between historical preservation and modern digital experiences.

Quantifying active and passive restoration in Central Mexico from 1986–2012: assessing the evidence of a forest transition

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve — 2018 — WHE6F28806D0E

Between 1986 and 2012, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Central Mexico experienced a net increase of 3,798 hectares of forest, yet this recovery is slowing. A study combining satellite imagery analysis with field interviews (n=43) revealed that most of this regrowth—estimated between 58 and 429 hectares—was due to natural regrowth (passive reforestation) on previously degraded lands rather than active reforestation efforts. Reduced logging and grazing pressures were key drivers, while agricultural abandonment had less influence than previously thought. The findings suggest prioritizing investments in maintaining forest resilience over costly reforestation programs.

Quantifying geomorphic and vegetation change at sandbar campsites in response to flow regulation and controlled floods, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park — 2018 — WHE4B96AF439A

Sandbar campsites along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park, used by over 25,000 visitors annually, have shrunk by 37% between 2002 and 2016 due to flow regulation from Glen Canyon Dam. While controlled floods temporarily increase sandbar size, long-term campsite area declines because of erosion between floods and vegetation expansion, particularly in noncritical reaches. Critical reaches experience more erosion and slope change than noncritical ones. The study quantified these changes using aerial imagery and digital elevation models, revealing that manual vegetation removal may be necessary for future management to stabilize campsite areas.

Quantifying the connections—linkages between land-use and water in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Kathmandu Valley — 2018 — WHE336C610B17

A significant deterioration in water quality is observed from upstream to downstream areas of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, with built-up land uses having the most pronounced impact. The study, conducted across nine perennial watersheds during the 2016 monsoon and 2017 pre-monsoon periods, used a combination of Rapid Stream Assessment (RSA) protocols, water quality measurements, and streamflow data to quantify these linkages. Results indicated that upstream locations in six watersheds maintained near-natural status (RQC 1), suitable for all uses after standard treatment, while downstream areas across all nine watersheds exhibited the most impaired river quality (RQC 5). A pixel-based supervised classification method was employed to analyze land-use data from a 2015 Landsat 8 image. The findings underscore the critical need for integrated land and water management, particularly in addressing waste management challenges in the Kathmandu Valley.

Quelques observations sur l’écriture rétrograde dans les tombes thébaines de l’époque tardive

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2018 — WHE1B8F5F4042

Retrograde writing in Theban tombs during Egypt's Late Period serves a functional theological purpose, visually representing the deceased's journey through the Duat and rebirth with the sun god. Unlike conventional hieroglyphic directionality, retrograde script inverts reading sequences—horizontally or vertically—to symbolize this spiritual passage. Analysis of Asasif necropolis tombs reveals that this practice was not merely decorative but integral to expressing eschatological beliefs, providing tangible evidence for how ancient Egyptians conceptualized the afterlife. The study combines epigraphic and iconographic analysis to demonstrate retrograde writing's role in funerary art, offering new insights into Late Period religious practices.

Questioning public histories of urban planning: an investigation of ‘urbanisme horloger’ narratives in the Unesco site of Le Locle/La Chaux-de-Fonds

La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning — 2018 — WHE072F2990C9

A critical examination of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle challenges the dominant narrative that their urban planning, known as 'urbanisme horloger,' was inherently linked to the social organization of watchmaking communities. The study focuses on a key 1835 planning document by Charles-Henri Junod, revealing discrepancies between its interpretation and the broader heritage narrative. This analysis highlights both the complexities and opportunities in how planning histories are publicly disseminated and appropriated by diverse actors, offering new perspectives on urban heritage-making processes.

Race and Labor in Sixteenth-Century Seville through the Prism of Accounting Books ( Hijuelas ) from the Reales Alcázares

Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville — 2018 — WHE89045BC2D3

Sixteenth-century accounting ledgers (hijuelas) from Seville’s Reales Alcázares reveal previously overlooked insights into racial and labor dynamics within a royal institution. These records, often dismissed as mere financial documents, document workers' backgrounds—including wages, accommodations, and the transaction of enslaved individuals—challenging long-standing scholarly narratives about early modern working life in Seville. By analyzing these understudied hijuelas, the study exposes the complexities of labor and race in a colonial context, offering a nuanced perspective on the Alcázar’s operational realities.

Ragam Jamur Asal Serasah dan Tanah di Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon Indonesia

Ujung Kulon National Park — 2018 — WHE0202E3DBDC

A study of Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia, identified eight species of saprophytic fungi belonging to six genera—Collybia, Crepidotus, Hygrocybe, Lepiota, Marasmius, and Mycena. These fungi play a crucial role in decomposing dead organic matter, contributing to ecosystem sustainability. The research highlights the importance of documenting fungal diversity, often overlooked in biodiversity studies, which can inform future conservation efforts and the development of Indonesia's biodiversity potential. Fungal identification relied on macroscopic characteristics, providing foundational data for understanding saprophytic fungi in tropical ecosystems.

Rain-derived particles and CDOM distribution along the east coast of New Caledonia

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems — 2018 — WHE83873663C8

Heavy rainfall or tropical storms can dramatically increase chlorophyll-a concentration, turbidity, and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in New Caledonia's lagoons, with effects detectable up to 50 km offshore. The eastern coast is more affected due to its geomorphology, frequent intense rains, and erosive lateritic formations from ultramafic rocks. Satellite imagery and oceanographic measurements reveal that these increases—visible as plumes extending offshore—affect deeper lagoon areas (>20 m) and extend to coral barrier reefs. While large particles settle near river outflows, fine particles (<10 µm), colloids, and CDOM are transported to reefs, potentially benefiting corals by shielding them from UV radiation or providing nutrients. However, the impact of trace metal distribution from these particles on coral health remains uncertain.

Range extension of the threatened Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra percna) in Canada: new insights from Anticosti Island, Québec

Anticosti — 2018 — WHEB91072BBF7

A significant range extension for the threatened Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra percna) has been identified on Anticosti Island, Québec, Canada. This discovery expands the known distribution of the subspecies, which was previously considered limited to the Gaspe Peninsula and the Charlevoix region. Researchers used a combination of field observations, acoustic monitoring, and genetic analysis to document the presence of Red Crossbills on Anticosti Island, confirming their breeding activity and providing insights into their ecological adaptability. The study highlights the importance of this newly identified population for conservation efforts, particularly in light of habitat changes and climate variability.

Ravitaillement, communications et financement de la garnison du Mont Saint-Michel (1417-1450)

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2018 — WHEEAC894E41D

A robust network of supply, communication, and financial support sustained the French garrison at Mont-Saint-Michel during English occupation (1417–1450), challenging the narrative of its isolated resistance. This study reveals that the fortress's resilience was underpinned by continuous logistical and strategic ties to Charles VII's territories, enabling proactive military operations in northern France—including disruptions against English interests in Lorraine—long before the region's reconquest. Contrasting earlier historical accounts, which attributed success solely to local heroism or natural defenses, this research highlights the broader organizational capacity of the Dauphin's faction, leveraging maritime routes (e.g., Malouins support) and inland alliances to maintain operational momentum.

Re-Appraising the Value of Same-Text Relationships; a Study of ‘Duplicate’ Inscriptions in the Monumental Landscape at Aphrodisias

Aphrodisias — 2018 — WHE57249AB52B

A new perspective on 'duplicate' inscriptions reveals that identical or similar texts should be studied independently, not merely as copies. By analyzing differences between such inscriptions at the Sebasteion in Aphrodisias, researchers uncovered nuanced insights into monumental messaging and its perception by ancient audiences. The study highlights a deliberate planning process where architectural context—spaces, decorations, and textual arrangement—shaped how distinctions and hierarchies were visually communicated to Roman viewers. Contrasting these findings with near-identical dedications at the Hadrianic baths further elucidates the phenomenon of duplicate dedications, offering deeper understanding of epigraphic presentation in classical antiquity.

Re-evaluating the occupation history of Koh Ker, Cambodia, during the Angkor period: A palaeo-ecological approach

Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar — 2018 — WHE051627DEB4

Palaeoecological and geoarchaeological evidence reveals that Koh Ker, Cambodia, remained occupied by its domestic population for several centuries after the royal court relocated to Angkor in the 10th century. This challenges the long-held assumption that the city's abandonment by the elite marked the end of its occupation. The study employed multi-proxy environmental reconstructions—including sediment analysis and plant remains—to trace human activity and land use patterns, demonstrating their persistence well beyond the documented political shifts. These findings underscore the value of integrating palaeoecological data to refine our understanding of Khmer urban dynamics during the Angkor period.

Real Walking in Virtual Spaces: Visiting the Aachen Cathedral

Aachen Cathedral — 2018 — WHEBF75652D72

Spatial compression techniques enable users to traverse larger virtual environments than their physical tracking area allows, enhancing the immersive experience of Virtual Reality (VR). This demo showcases ongoing research by demonstrating real walking through a detailed model of Aachen Cathedral within a room-sized tracking space. By addressing the mismatch between VR tracking limits and virtual environment size, this approach preserves the natural intuitiveness of walking while expanding exploration capabilities in VR applications.

Realities and problems of a major cultural tourist destination in Spain, Toledo

Historic City of Toledo — 2018 — WHEE8D9CE9B66

Toledo, Spain's historic city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, faces significant challenges as a cultural tourist destination despite its global recognition. This study highlights the complexities of managing tourism in such heritage-rich urban areas, emphasizing issues like overcrowding, preservation threats, and the need for sustainable development. Using a critical analysis of diverse sources and participant observation, the research provides a holistic examination of Toledo's principal features as a tourist site while addressing practical problems, errors, and potential solutions. It offers valuable insights for planners and managers of historic cities, proposing reflections and future-oriented strategies to balance tourism growth with cultural preservation.

Recent research progress and popular issues on Chinese human evolution

Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian — 2018 — WHEC843557781

Recent research on Chinese human evolution highlights the complexity and diversity of Pleistocene hominin populations. While no confirmed human fossils older than 2 million years have been found, the earliest Homo erectus fossil, the Lantian Gongwangling skull (1.15–1.63 million years old), suggests a significant presence in China during this period. New discoveries, such as crania from Lingjing, Xuchang, and fossils from Huanglong Cave, Zhiren Cave, and Daoxian, reveal a mosaic of morphological traits indicative of both local archaic humans and early modern Homo sapiens (100–80 ka BP). These findings challenge simple linear models of human evolution, suggesting possible genetic mixing between Chinese and European ancient humans. The research also indicates that fully modern morphology likely emerged first in southern China before dispersing northward, with northern populations like those from Xujiayao retaining primitive traits longer.

Recherches sur la résurgence du vocabulaire sémitique dans le langage religieux des provinces romaines d'Afrique : le cas du terme moctor

Medina of Sousse — 2018 — WHE3847CA9E5E

A recent analysis of a Latin inscription from the Medina of Sousse, Tunisia, reveals the resurgence of Semitic religious vocabulary in Roman Africa. The term moctor, identified as an unprecedented clerical function, is traced to the Semitic root KTR/QTR, meaning 'offering incense.' This finding suggests a cultural continuity between Phoenicio-Punic traditions and Roman religious practices in North Africa, particularly in cities with deep Phoenician roots. The study supports broader evidence of Semitic linguistic influence persisting in Roman provincial contexts, underscoring the enduring impact of ancient Near Eastern cults on local religious language.

Recognition of erosion risk areas using Neural Network Technology: an application to the Island of Corfu

Old Town of Corfu — 2018 — WHEB030FB7E5A

A novel approach combining Geographical Information System (GIS) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) successfully identified erosion risk zones on the island of Corfu, Greece. The model, validated by field data, demonstrated high accuracy in predicting areas vulnerable to erosion due to their lithology and exposure to heavy rainfall. This method offers a robust tool for assessing erosion risks in regions with similar geological and climatic conditions.

Reconstrucción de la agricultura prehispánica en El Salvador previo a la erupción volcánica, a través del análisis de suelos

Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site — 2018 — WHEC3A0B834CE

Research at the Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site in El Salvador has uncovered exceptionally well-preserved evidence of pre-Hispanic agricultural practices, including furrows from maize fields dating to the Late Classic Period. Analysis of soil carbon isotopes (δ13C) revealed that C4 plants, such as maize, were cultivated in the region before the volcanic eruption of Ilopango. Similar findings were observed at other sites like Antiguo Cuscatlan and Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero Boulevard, where grooves under volcanic ash layers provided clues to past agricultural activities. The study highlights the potential of soil analysis to reconstruct ancient farming practices when direct plant remains are absent.

Reconstrucción paleoambiental de la subcuenca de Xochimilco, centro de México, entre 18000 y 5000 años antes del presente

Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco — 2018 — WHE9157E37EEF

A paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Xochimilco sub-basin, central Mexico, reveals significant millennial-scale climatic oscillations between 18,000 and 5,000 years ago. The study identifies distinct periods characterized by variations in erosion, iron mineral origins, salinity, productivity, and organic matter sources, linked to deglaciation events such as the Younger Dryas and the Bølling/Allerød warming. During the early Holocene (11,700–8,200 years ago), the region experienced its driest conditions, while the mid-Holocene (8,200–5,000 years ago) saw a return to humid conditions and the establishment of a freshwater lake, likely supporting riverside communities. The research leverages magnetic mineral indicators, major element content, and diatom associations, anchored by two key volcanic ash layers (Pómez Tutti Frutti and Pómez Toluca Superior) and radiocarbon dating.