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‘Let us Sin with Salvin’: Architecture and Authority at the Tower of London, 1896–1905

Tower of London — 2017 — WHE8006EEF396

Contrary to prior assumptions, the Office of Works continued significant architectural interventions at the Tower of London beyond the 1880s, extending into the early twentieth century. This study reveals that restoration efforts during 1896–1905 were not merely maintenance but a deliberate strategy by authorities to shape the historical narrative of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Analyzing previously unexplored architectural drawings from Historic Royal Palaces, the research demonstrates how the Office balanced its role as a military garrison, historic monument, and tourist attraction while navigating growing public and parliamentary demands for preservation. The findings challenge the notion that radical restorations ceased after the 1880s, highlighting instead a sustained effort to control the site's architectural storytelling.

‘Postcard to Palmyra’: bringing the public into debates over post-conflict reconstruction in the Middle East

Site of Palmyra — 2017 — WHE78F048CB40

Public opinion on post-conflict reconstruction, particularly concerning the controversial replica of Palmyra’s triumphal arch in Trafalgar Square (2016), reveals diverse perspectives on aesthetics, authenticity, authority, and colonialism. The 'Postcard to Palmyra' project captured these views from visitors, including underrepresented voices from the Middle East, offering a novel lens to complement existing critiques. It also highlighted logistical challenges in public engagement events. This study underscores the value of integrating public sentiment into debates on heritage preservation and reconstruction.

‘The Official Feast’: cultural tensions in U.K. carnival

Dorset and East Devon Coast — 2017 — WHE8BDAC79F42

U.K. street carnivals, particularly those in Dorset and East Devon, challenge institutional narratives by offering alternative symbolic constructions of community and place. This study reveals how vernacular carnivals resist aesthetic hegemony and neo-liberal discourses of inter-place competition, contrasting with policy-driven 'official feasts' that promote preferred identities for the Jurassic Coast and Olympic events. Using ethnographic research from two community carnivals and the Battle for the Winds performances at Weymouth during the 2012 Olympics, the paper exposes tensions between these grassroots celebrations and institutionalized place-identities. It argues for a reassessment of vernacular carnivals as culturally significant forms of resistance, providing alternative symbolic representations that often conflict with those favored by institutional actors.

‘What is Africa to me’ now?: African-American heritage tourism in Senegambia

Island of Gorée — 2017 — WHE0D6BAF903B

African-American heritage tourism in Senegambia reveals complex shifts in identity, with tourists emerging from visits to sites like the Maison des Esclaves on Gorée Island and Juffureh Village with varied conceptions of self. Some felt a stronger connection to their 'African' roots, while others reaffirmed or redefined their 'American' or 'African American' identities. The study, based on extensive interviews conducted in 2010, highlights how these experiences align with W.E.B. Du Bois's theory of double-consciousness, illustrating the dynamic interplay between racial construction, historical memory, and liminality during heritage tourism encounters.

"Bird cages and boiling pots for potential diseases": contested ecologies of urban 'Swiftlet farming' in George Town, Malaysia

Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca — 2017 — WHEA8FAC23892

In George Town, Malaysia, the rapid expansion of 'swiftlet farming'—a lucrative industry involving the harvesting of edible swiftlet nests from urban buildings—has become a focal point for debates over urban health and landscape norms. This study reveals how narratives of disease risk, such as concerns about avian flu or dengue fever, shape public perception and regulatory responses to this practice. By analyzing competing discourses through the lens of political ecology, the research demonstrates that swiftlet farming is politicized as either appropriate or inappropriate within the urban landscape, highlighting the contradictions in globalizing cities' efforts to balance economic opportunities with health concerns.

"En palonbar criadas": Monastic Environment and Religious Identity in the Poema de Santa Oria

San Millán Yuso and Suso Monasteries — 2017 — WHE87F60DEC14

The Poema de Santa Oria, attributed to Gonzalo de Berceo, portrays Oria as an exemplary figure of medieval ascetic monasticism, emphasizing her life of reclusion, contemplation, and self-discipline within the Benedictine Monastery of San Millán de Suso. The study highlights how Oria's journey—from a young recluse to a symbol of spiritual devotion—reflects the monastic practices of the time, particularly in the context of Iberia's religious and cultural landscape. Through literary analysis, the research explores the poem's role in memorializing Oria's commitment to a life of renunciation, offering insights into medieval spirituality and the phenomenon of immurement among female recluses. The study also examines the dual structure of San Millán de Suso and Yuso Monasteries, linking their architectural and spiritual significance to broader historical processes, including the expansion of Christianity in Islamic territories.

"Things Not Seen" in the Frescoes of Giotto: An Analysis of Illusory and Spiritual Depth

Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites — 2017 — WHE560014395A

Giotto di Bondone's frescoes employ hidden and omitted spatial elements to convey psychological and spiritual depth, demonstrating his unique visual wit (ingegno) that transcends superficial imitation. This study reveals how Giotto's narrative compositions in the Arena Chapel, Bardi and Peruzzi Chapels, and the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi use architectural divisions and implied narrative perspectives to evoke emotional states and divine presence. Unlike prior research that only briefly addresses spatial composition, this analysis highlights Giotto's innovative approach, showing how his stylistic influence persists beyond Padua while eluding deeper replication by imitators.

“All the baubles that they needed”: “Industriousness” and Slavery in Saint-Louis and Gorée

Island of Gorée — 2017 — WHE912E8ED454

African and Eur-African women, known as signares, played pivotal roles in the slave trade and gum trade along the Senegambian coast during the 18th century. Through their entrepreneurial efforts, they provisioned slave traders, managed enslaved labor, and accumulated significant wealth and property, including real estate and slaves. This study highlights their contribution to the development of Atlantic consumer culture and capitalism, challenging traditional narratives by emphasizing their industriousness and economic agency. The research draws on historical records, such as wills and probates, to illustrate the complexities of their roles in the transatlantic slave trade.

“Digital Heritage” Theory and Innovative Practice

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2017 — WHE11EB1F608E

A conceptual framework for 'digital heritage' is proposed, integrating cultural heritage with digitization technology and digital knowledge research. This approach extends beyond traditional digitization to include the creation and innovative application of digital content, such as intellectual property, experiential education, tourism, film, and media. The study evaluates this concept through case studies of the Palazzo Valentini in Rome and the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) in Beijing, assessing its relevance for current industry developments and future prospects.

“Diminishing returns” in the scaling of leaf area vs. dry mass in Wuyi Mountain bamboos, Southeast China

Mount Wuyi — 2017 — WHE401E4520A0

A comprehensive analysis of five bamboo species in Wuyi Mountains, Southeast China, reveals that the scaling relationship between leaf area and dry mass consistently follows the 'diminishing returns' hypothesis, with a universal slope of 0.85 across all species, regardless of light conditions or elevation. This indicates that the cost of light interception increases disproportionately with leaf area, a finding supported by extensive measurements from over 2000 samples. The study also found that while scaling exponents remained numerically invariant, normalization constants increased with decreasing light, suggesting environmental adaptations in bamboo species.

“Fit to the form of Christian living”. Catholic mission and resistance in African lands

Mbanza Kongo, Vestiges of the Capital of the former Kingdom of Kongo — 2017 — WHEE79DA23F40

The study reveals that the evangelization efforts by Capuchin missionaries in Mbanza Kongo during the late 17th and mid-18th centuries were met with significant resistance from African societies, despite the incorporation of Christian symbols, rituals, and practices. This 'African Christianity' emerged as a hybrid form, blending European Christian elements with local traditions. The analysis of three missionary guides highlights the anthropological underpinnings of evangelization strategies and underscores the dynamic nature of African societies in adapting to or resisting these influences.

“Soetwyn”: Visuality, Cultural Tourism, Desire Paths and the ≠Khomani

ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape — 2017 — WHE1F3B504EA8

Alcohol abuse among the ≠Khomani people, a small community resettled on six farms totaling 40,000 hectares after a successful land claim in 1999, poses significant challenges to sustainable development. This study highlights the complex interplay between cultural tourism, desire paths, and alcohol use/abuse within the ≠Khomani Cultural Landscape, using visual traces of alcohol's presence in the sand-dune landscape. The research employs 'cultural mapping' techniques, focusing on visual stills collected during a 2011 trip to the Kalahari by University of KwaZulu–Natal researchers. It contrasts the corporeal existence of alcohol with commercial tourist branding, offering insights into the social dynamics and developmental struggles faced by this community.

“They are drying out” : social-ecological consequences of glacier recession on mountain peatlands in Huascarán National Park, Peru

Huascarán National Park — 2017 — WHE91E2961C64

Tropical mountain peatlands, such as those in Peru's Huascarán National Park, are undergoing significant ecological transformations due to glacier recession. A 23-year remote sensing analysis revealed that these ecosystems are losing area through fragmentation and isolation, driven by shrinking glaciers and reduced stream discharge. However, precipitation may become a more dominant factor in the future. The study also found high plant diversity, with vegetation heterogeneity influenced by abiotic factors like elevation and organic matter content. Ecological oral histories from local users corroborated these findings, highlighting the interconnected social and biophysical processes affecting peatlands. The research suggests that future stewardship should involve local communities, supported by national parks and NGOs, to address these changes effectively.

“You didn’t see him lying … beside the gravel road in France”: Death, Distance, and American War Politics*

Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944 — 2017 — WHE4635F91DFB

This study reveals the profound sensory and emotional divide between American civilians during World War II and those experiencing combat firsthand, highlighting how media narratives, such as Ernie Pyle's war journalism, attempted to bridge this gap. It demonstrates that while civilians were shielded from direct violence, their engagement with war was shaped by curated visuals and narratives, contributing to a broader political apathy toward distant warfare. The research uses historical analysis of wartime reporting, censorship, and civilian mobilization to illustrate how this divide influenced the structure of government war power and public perception.

(Re)cognising the corpse: individuality, identification and multidirectional memorialisation in post-genocide Rwanda

Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero — 2017 — WHE50340E3302

Rwanda's memorial sites—Nyamata, Nyarubuye, and Murambi—function as powerful commemorative grounds despite the lack of individualised corpses. A key insight is that the corpse, often symbolizing death and mourning, has become a means for the Rwandan community to confront their loss, even in its anonymous form. This shift in perception challenges traditional narratives that portray victims as faceless. The study examines literary depictions by Jean Hatzfeld, Boubacar Boris Diop, and Philip Gourevitch, revealing how corpses are described as literal parts of the landscape, reflecting a transformation in national consciousness. By analyzing both fictional and autobiographical texts, the research highlights the corpse's evolving significance in post-genocide memorialization.

(Un)supported Current Tourism Development in UNESCO Protected Site: The Case of Old City of Dubrovnik

Old City of Dubrovnik — 2017 — WHE683AA8C4CB

Residents' perceptions of tourism's economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts in UNESCO-protected sites directly influence their support for tourism development. A study on the Old City of Dubrovnik (OCD) revealed that residents who view tourism positively tend to support its expansion, while those perceiving negative effects oppose it. The research applied statistical methods, including Cronbach alpha, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM), to test a model linking these perceptions to tourism support. Findings underscore the importance of resident perceptions in shaping sustainable tourism policies, particularly in UNESCO sites where interactions between locals, tourists, and development are intense.

Pseudo‐Turpin ChronicleTradition

Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France — 2017 — WHED259F93C78

The Pseudo-Turpin Chronicle, a medieval narrative text, reveals its significant role in promoting the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Composed around 1145, likely in France, it claims to be an eyewitness account of Charlemagne's wars in Spain by Turpin, archbishop of Rheims, contradicting the chanson de geste tradition where Turpin is depicted as dying at Roncevaux. The chronicle links Charlemagne's campaigns to a divine request from St. James and supports the Reconquista, as evidenced by its connections to the Liber Sancti Jacobi in manuscripts like the Codex Calixtinus. Its widespread circulation across multiple languages underscores its cultural and religious influence during the medieval period.

1,000,000 Giant Pulses from the Crab Pulsar

Jodrell Bank Observatory — 2017 — WHE1101B1B55B

A groundbreaking analysis of over one million giant pulses from the Crab pulsar, captured by Jodrell Bank Observatory's 42-foot telescope since 2012, reveals critical insights into their energy distributions and potential links to Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). Giant pulses, up to 1000 times brighter than average, are rare among pulsars but provide unique clues about high-energy astrophysical phenomena. The study's extensive dataset enables detailed examination of pulse-width variations and the high-energy tail of energy distributions, which could improve the detectability of extragalactic giant-pulsing pulsars. This work also explores whether FRBs share a common mechanism with giant pulses, offering new avenues for understanding extreme cosmic events.

1st Place Winner, SEDAAG 2016: Time and Tide Wait for No Man

Dorset and East Devon Coast — 2017 — WHE919CD4991B

The Dorset and East Devon Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning 150 kilometers from Studland Bay to Exmouth, exemplifies the dynamic interplay between geological forces and human activities over millennia. This coastal landscape, extending through 185 million years of Earth's history, showcases the continuous battle between land and sea, shaped by erosional and depositional processes. The site's geomorphological features, including cliffs, sea arches, caves, and wave-cut platforms, are a testament to the power of waves refracted around headlands, exploiting geological weaknesses. Human influence is also evident, from historical resource exploitation and defense to modern tourism and recreational activities, which have left traces on the landscape. The study highlights the constant evolution of this environment due to eustatic and isostatic adjustments, climate change, and sea level rise, emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of nature-human interactions. The Jurassic Coast serves as a living laboratory for studying these dynamic forces, offering insights into both geological processes and human adaptation strategies.

3D Digitisation of Large-Scale Unstructured Great Wall Heritage Sites by a Small Unmanned Helicopter

The Great Wall — 2017 — WHE1DBEBCA62C

A hierarchical optimization framework enables precise 3D digitization of large, unstructured segments of the Great Wall using a small, low-cost unmanned helicopter equipped with a laser scanner and digital camera. The system addresses challenges posed by unpredictable pose uncertainties during fly-hover-scan and flying-scan modes, which can lead to mismatches in point cloud data. By tailoring optimization methodologies to each scan mode, the framework ensures accurate reconstruction of the Wall's complex terrain. A WebGL-based interface facilitates 3D model visualization and comparison, demonstrating the approach's feasibility for heritage conservation efforts.