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Showing 101 – 120 of 4230 publications

Found in Sursee-Zellmoos (Switzerland) but from where did it come?

Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps — 2025 — WHE5C33BF8C87

Recent excavations at Sursee-Zellmoos, part of the UNESCO-listed Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps, have uncovered lithic artefacts that challenge assumptions about Neolithic trade networks. While most silicite tools originate from local sources, two axe blades—one of unknown origin—suggest long-distance exchange or mining contexts. Preliminary analyses hint at a non-local provenance for one blade, though further investigation is needed to confirm its exact source. This discovery sheds light on the complexity of raw material procurement and inter-regional connections during the Neolithic period.

From drought to deluge: the complex impacts of climate change on earthen heritage

Tchogha Zanbil — 2025 — WHE1C3A8B6CBF

Climate change poses severe and multifaceted threats to earthen heritage sites, including erosion, structural deterioration, and cultural value loss. A systematic study of four vulnerable regions—Sistan, Yazd, Persepolis, and Tchogha Zanbil—reveals that shifting precipitation patterns, extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and water scarcity exacerbate these risks. Socioeconomic factors like limited conservation resources further compound vulnerabilities. The research introduces an interdisciplinary framework to assess vulnerability, integrating physical, social, and cultural dimensions, and emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies, effective governance, and community engagement to mitigate impacts. This approach offers a novel method for evaluating climate change risks in earthen heritage, providing actionable insights for preservation efforts.

Genetic Deep Dive: Testing Harappan Flight and Return Hypothesis

Dholavira: a Harappan City — 2025 — WHEF480C70FAF

A groundbreaking interdisciplinary study proposes that the undeciphered Indus script encodes administrative and trade systems, with Sign 391 ('Fire Wheel') marking celestial events linked to Bronze Age catastrophic impacts. The research identifies a synchronous cluster of five impact craters (e.g., Kaali in Estonia) dated to ~4200 years ago, correlating with the collapse of multiple ancient civilizations—including the Indus Valley—and climate disruptions like megadroughts. It also links these events to the Taurid meteor swarm's 7:2 Jupiter resonance cycle, predicting a close Earth encounter in 2028 (not 2032). Methodologically, it introduces the 'Looting Bias Principle' to address archaeological biases and a three-tier certainty framework for interpreting ancient texts. The study suggests cultural narratives like the Kalevala and Ragnarök may preserve memories of these impacts.

Geomorphological Structure of Landform Characteristics as a Reference for Development Recommendations in Wadi Rum Protected Area

Wadi Rum Protected Area — 2025 — WHEDFB430E47A

Research identifies Wadi Rum's geomorphological features as critical indicators for sustainable development, linking landform characteristics to ecosystem dynamics and socioeconomic activities. The study reveals that these unique landforms, shaped by millennia of morphogenesis, offer valuable insights for preserving the area's ecological integrity while guiding responsible tourism and infrastructure planning. Utilizing advanced geospatial tools like Global Mapper and AutoCAD, the research combines qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze terrain evolution and its impact on local ecosystems. By integrating geomorphological data with socioeconomic factors, the findings provide a theoretical framework to assess temporal changes and formulate recommendations that balance development needs with environmental conservation, ensuring Wadi Rum's landform characteristics are safeguarded for future generations.

Heritage Education for Conservation: A New Perspective from the My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam

My Son Sanctuary — 2025 — WHE322F6A320E

A new 'Heritage Education for Conservation' model emerges as a promising strategy for sustainable preservation, demonstrated through the case of My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam. This approach integrates historical, cultural, and architectural education to address existing threats while fostering community engagement, individual responsibility, and deeper emotional connections to heritage. By combining knowledge dissemination with active participation, it aims to raise awareness, promote conservation behaviors, and cultivate a resilient local community dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage. The model offers a practical framework for balancing educational outreach with tangible conservation outcomes.

Heritage Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism in Mountain Cultural Landscapes: The Case of Zagori Within the UNESCO Framework

Zagori Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHE1BDE1D5AF7

Heritage hospitality, driven by public policy incentives rather than market forces, has emerged as a key strategy for sustainable tourism and population resilience in mountain cultural landscapes. A study of Zagori, Greecereveals that targeted development policies, particularly those promoting small-scale, high-altitude enterprises, can mitigate population decline while preserving built heritage. Unlike spontaneous growth models, this approach fosters a micro-network of hotels that integrate local entrepreneurship with cultural conservation. Spatial and quantitative analysis of Zagori’s evolution from 1982 to 2022 demonstrates that diversified tourism infrastructure, when aligned with heritage preservation, sustains vitality in remote settlements. Conversely, policy gaps or overconcentration lead to stagnation, highlighting the need for adaptive reuse frameworks to balance conservation, development, and demographic outcomes.

Heritage Protection as Progressive Urbanism Defending the Legacies of the Welfare State

Berlin Modernism Housing Estates — 2025 — WHE2706D76845

Berlin Modernism Housing Estates, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represent groundbreaking urban and architectural innovations from the early 20th century. These six housing estates, primarily constructed during the Weimar Republic (1910–1933), stand as exceptional examples of progressive welfare-state policies aimed at improving living conditions for low-income populations. They introduced novel approaches to town planning, architecture, and garden design, significantly influencing global urban development. The estates exemplify how heritage protection can serve as a tool for preserving the legacies of progressive urbanism while addressing contemporary challenges in sustainable city planning.

High Resolution Lidar Drone Imagery Assessment of the Rattlesnake Mound Complex at Cahokia, Illinois, USA

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2025 — WHEFAB2B64FF3

A high-resolution lidar drone survey of the Rattlesnake Mound Complex at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site has revealed new details about a series of low mounds surrounding the primary structure, with only two previously documented. The study also assessed erosion damage caused by unfilled trenches from Moorehead’s 1927 excavation and uncovered new findings related to bundle burials and a 'spirit house' within Rattlesnake Mound. By combining lidar imagery with aerial photographs, researchers provided unprecedented insights into the site's structure and preservation challenges.

High‐Resolution Lake Deposits Record Temperature Variability During the Middle Eocene Greenhouse in Central Europe

Messel Pit Fossil Site — 2025 — WHE91DF9638ED

A previously unknown 'hyperthermal-like' global warming event was identified during the middle Eocene greenhouse period (47.5 million years ago) using high-resolution lake deposits from the Messel Pit Fossil Site, Germany. The study revealed that continental temperatures in Central Europe fluctuated between 21–28°C over a 430,000-year span, transitioning from a highly variable pattern to a more stable state. This shift may have been linked to orbital configurations or changes in the North Atlantic seaway. Researchers used terrestrial biomarkers preserved in maar sediments to reconstruct temperature variability under high atmospheric CO₂ conditions, providing critical insights into past climate dynamics. The findings align with concurrent marine isotopic excursions, underscoring the site's significance for understanding global climate events.

Historical Heritage of the Industrial Era: Strategies of Revitalization and Sustainable Tourism Development on the Example of the the Völklingen

Völklingen Ironworks — 2025 — WHEFF7218377D

The Völklingen Ironworks exemplifies successful revitalization of industrial heritage through innovative strategies that blend art, culture, and sustainable tourism. This study reveals how reimagining the functionality of historical industrial sites drives social transformation and economic development, fostering community identity and sustainability. By analyzing scientific literature and conducting fieldwork in 2024, researchers identified key approaches—such as integrating museum spaces with cultural landscapes—that transform post-industrial areas into vibrant hubs. The case highlights the plant's significance as a symbol of 19th- and early 20th-century industrial achievements while offering potential models for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction efforts.

Hollókő dilemmái: „kötelező” hagyomány és/vagy üzleti érdek?

Old Village of Hollókő and its Surroundings — 2025 — WHE58308AEF39

Hollókő's study reveals a tension between obligatory tradition and business interests, shaping the village's development trajectory. The research highlights how local communities navigate these dual pressures while maintaining cultural heritage. Using a mixed-methods approach—document analysis, public databases, surveys, and interviews with civil society representatives—the study maps community dynamics, development projects, and future perceptions. It underscores the pivotal role of civil organizations in fostering cohesion but also identifies challenges in balancing tradition with economic growth, offering insights into sustainable heritage management for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Hollókői trendek, avagy a faluszemináriumi kutatóműhely 2015-ös és 2023-as kutatásainak összegzése

Old Village of Hollókő and its Surroundings — 2025 — WHE93ABC80DD4

A comparative analysis of two comprehensive social and economic surveys conducted by the Village Seminar Research Workshop in 2015 and 2023 reveals key trends and challenges shaping the transformation of Hollókő, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once an isolated village with minimal administrative presence, Hollókő has undergone significant development, emerging as a prominent tourist destination. The study highlights its transition from obscurity to cultural significance, marked by changes in infrastructure, tourism, and community dynamics. By synthesizing data from both surveys, researchers identified patterns of growth, such as increased visitor numbers and economic diversification, alongside persistent issues like rural depopulation and resource management. This synthesis offers a nuanced understanding of Hollókő's evolution over nearly a decade, providing insights into the factors driving its success while addressing ongoing challenges.

Human presence in the Salapunku area (Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru) based on recent radiocarbon evidence

Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu — 2025 — WHE276864A946

Recent radiocarbon analysis at Salapunku, the gateway to Machu Picchu's Cordillera of Vilcabamba, reveals a layered cultural history spanning from early human presence to complex pre-Hispanic societies and the colonial period. Unlike previous chronological studies relying on artifact typology, this first-ever radiocarbon dating for the site provides precise temporal markers, clarifying the sequence of occupations and their transitions. The findings challenge assumptions about the site's sole association with Inca settlements, underscoring its significance as a crossroads of diverse cultural periods in the Cusco region.

Human-Centric Planning of Traditional Islamic Settlements: A Space Syntax Study of Itchan Kala, Khiva

Itchan Kala — 2025 — WHEA2C645215C

Itchan Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uzbekistan, exemplifies the enduring effectiveness of Islamic urban planning principles. The study reveals that its spatial organization harmoniously balances communal interaction and seclusion through a compact yet hierarchically layered structure. Key findings include a highly integrated main market street anchored by the Juma Masjid, promoting commerce and worship, while residential quarters offer low visibility and high controllability for privacy. Madrasas, now museums, serve as transitional zones between public and private realms. The research employed axial and visibility graph analysis (VGA) at global and local scales to assess visibility, integration, and controllability, demonstrating the city's resilience across generations and socio-political transitions. Itchan Kala serves as a timeless model for human-centered, sustainable urban development.

Hydrography as a guide to reading the urban form of the Medina of Fez

Medina of Fez — 2025 — WHEBC4106E8FD

Hydrography has been a pivotal factor in shaping the urban form and evolution of Fez’s Medina, demonstrating its profound influence on spatial organization, socio-economic structures, and cultural practices from the Idrisid period to contemporary times. This study reveals that water management systems have not only facilitated but also constrained urban development, illustrating a dynamic interplay between environmental adaptation and resilience. By analyzing hydrological transformations over centuries, the research underscores how Fez’s urban landscape has responded to environmental and sociopolitical changes, offering insights into the adaptability of historic cities.

Impact of Microbiological Activity and Moisture on the Surface pH of Rock Art Sites: Cueva del Ratón, Baja California Sur, Mexico and Other Sites

Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco — 2025 — WHEBEC8EEFB95

Research at Cueva del Ratón, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mexico's Sierra de San Francisco, reveals that nitrate and sulfate concentrations significantly influence the surface pH of rock art, driven by moisture diffusion and microbiological activity. Atypical weather events, including rain and mist—uncommon in this arid region—triggered the formation of silica skins on some surfaces, a rare phenomenon in such environments. The study found that water availability, particularly through drip lines, enhances microbial metabolism (yeasts, molds, bacteria), leading to surface acidification that interacts with both the host rock and pigments. This process is exacerbated by climate change-induced weather shifts, such as increased hurricanes in Baja California. A novel, budget-friendly method using disposable test strips was employed to assess anion impacts on decay mechanisms, providing semi-quantitative insights into preservation challenges.

Importance of Peace for the Promotion of Tourism in Pakistan

Rohtas Fort — 2025 — WHEDC507E8BDF

Pakistan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Rohtas Fort, Mohenjo-Daro, and Taxila, alongside its breathtaking landscapes like those in Gilgit-Baltistan, hold immense potential to attract global tourism. However, the country has struggled to realize this due to a lack of peace and security, which are critical for sustainable tourism growth. The study highlights that internal conflicts and instability have significantly hindered Pakistan's tourism industry despite its rich cultural and natural heritage. Over the past decade, efforts to restore peace have begun to improve the nation's image and stimulate tourism, suggesting a direct correlation between stability and visitor numbers.

Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Management of Forest Resources in a Socio-Cultural Upheaval of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve Landscape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Okapi Wildlife Reserve — 2025 — WHEB0FFCC79A0

Indigenous knowledge systems play a crucial role in sustainable forest resource management within the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite rapid socio-cultural changes. The study reveals that customary taboos and restrictions effectively regulate hunting, fishing, gathering, and honey harvesting, contributing to biodiversity conservation. However, vulnerabilities such as biodiversity decline, erosion of intergenerational knowledge transmission, and increased reliance on monetary income are evident. A mixed-methods approach, including surveys (n = 80), focus group discussions, floristic inventories, and statistical analyses, demonstrated a highly structured socio-ecological gradient, indicating strong coupling between environmental perceptions, demographic identity, and livelihood strategies. The findings underscore the resilience of Indigenous Peoples but also highlight their exposure to ecological and cultural disruptions. Formal recognition of Indigenous institutions and integration of their knowledge systems into co-management frameworks are essential for strengthening ecological resilience and aligning conservation policies with global biodiversity and climate agendas.

Individual knowledge acquisition by teachers to promote the ecological value of sacred Kaya forests in southern Kenya

Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests — 2025 — WHE23646902AF

Environmental education remains underprioritized in Kenyan schools, with only one-third of teachers incorporating such topics into their lessons. A study found that teachers who had received environmental education themselves were more likely to integrate it into their teaching. However, there was a notable lack of emphasis on the conservation of Kaya forests for their spiritual heritage. Only those teachers with a personal connection to the local culture and Kaya forests recognized their high biological and cultural significance, underscoring the importance of integrating culturally relevant content in environmental education. The study recommends increasing the priority of environmental education in school curricula to foster awareness and preserve both biological and cultural diversity.

Indus Ingenuity: Urban Agency and Power without Palaces (2700–1900 BCE)

Dholavira: a Harappan City — 2025 — WHE9306491A90

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) defies conventional models of early urban governance, as it lacked monumental palaces or royal tombs yet exhibited sophisticated urban planning, standardized material culture, and extensive trade networks. This study proposes the concept of 'Indus Ingenuity,' suggesting that power was distributed among coalitions of elites, councils, or priestly figures rather than centralized under a single ruler. Archaeological evidence from sites like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Dholavira reveals a society driven by collective decision-making, ideological consensus, and civic participation, maintained through ritual, mercantile influence, or shared civic ethos. The research challenges traditional narratives of ancient sociopolitical structures, offering new insights into the diversity of governance in pre-historic urban societies.