Cave Dwelling Research Articles

Guest experience and unique accommodation features in Göreme, Cappadocia: An Airbnb review analysis

This study investigates the influence of unique accommodation features on guest experiences in the Göreme town of Cappadocia, focusing on Airbnb reviews. By analyzing 5,677 reviews from 122 Airbnb listings, the research identifies key features such as cave dwellings, panoramic views, and hot air balloon experiences, which significantly contribute to guest satisfaction. A mixed-method approach has been used, combining frequency analysis and sentiment analysis, to evaluate how these unique elements shape guests' perceptions and overall satisfaction. The findings highlight the critical role of both aesthetic qualities and service standards, emphasizing the need for hosts to balance unique architectural features with essential hospitality services like cleanliness and maintenance. This research provides insights for Airbnb hosts and destination marketers to enhance the appeal of Cappadocia as a premier destination for immersive, authentic tourism experiences. The study also offers strategic recommendations for improving marketing efforts and destination management by leveraging Cappadocia's cultural and natural heritage to create memorable guest experiences. As a suggestion for future research, it may be useful to extend the findings of this study to a wider geographical area and examine different tourist profiles.

Hypoxia-sonic hedgehog axis as a driver of primitive hematopoiesis development and evolution in cavefish

The teleost Astyanax mexicanus consists of surface dwelling (surface fish) and cave dwelling (cavefish) forms. Cavefish have evolved in subterranean habitats characterized by reduced oxygen levels (hypoxia) and exhibit a subset of phenotypic traits controlled by increased Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling along the embryonic midline. The enhancement of primitive hematopoietic domains, which are formed bilaterally in the anterior and posterior lateral plate mesoderm, are responsible for the development of more larval erythrocytes in cavefish relative to surface fish. In this study, we determine the role of hypoxia and Shh signaling in the development and evolution of primitive hematopoiesis in cavefish. We show that hypoxia treatment during embryogenesis increases primitive hematopoiesis and erythrocyte development in surface fish. We also demonstrate that upregulation of Shh midline signaling by the Smoothened agonist SAG increases primitive hematopoiesis and erythrocyte development in surface fish, whereas Shh downregulation via treatment with the Smoothened inhibitor cyclopamine decreases these traits in cavefish. Together these results suggest that hematopoietic enhancement is regulated by hypoxia and Shh signaling. Lastly, we demonstrate that hypoxia enhances expression of Shh signaling along the midline of surface fish embryos. We conclude that hypoxia-mediated Shh plasticity may be a driving force for the adaptive evolution of primitive hematopoiesis and erythrocyte development in cavefish.

Cave Dwelling: the History and Cultural Inheritance in Contemporary Shanxi

Shanxi cave dwellings are a unique habitat and cultural treasure of the Chinese nation, embodying the wisdom and life imprints of the people of the Loess Plateau. With ancient origins rooted in cave dwelling civilizations, Shanxi cave dwellings have evolved over millennia, gradually forming distinctive architectural styles and ways of life. These dwellings are not only the homes of Shanxi farmers but also the cradle of rich and diverse folk cultures deeply intertwined with the literary and artistic heritage of Shanxi. At the same time, their layout and structure reflect the social stratification and family concepts of the local society. With the onset of modernization, the impact of urbanization and new residential trends has posed unprecedented challenges to cave dwelling culture. To safeguard this precious intangible cultural heritage, both central and local governments have introduced a series of protection policies and implemented practical actions. More importantly, it is necessary to vigorously promote innovation and inheritance on the basis of protection, integrating cave dwelling elements into modern design, promoting cultural tourism experiences, and developing cultural and creative industries. This will revitalize this ancient and unique human habitat civilization in contemporary society, continuing the cultural confidence and national spirit of the Shanxi people.

Comparative analysis on the mechanism of climate responsiveness strategies on indoor thermal performance of Yaodong dwellings in the Loess Plateau region of China

The vast rural architecture, while contributing significantly to enormous building energy consumption, also brings about substantial energy-saving potential. This underscores the need for a profound understanding of sustainable and intelligent green construction practices for vernacular dwellings. This study focuses on investigating the mechanisms of climate-responsive strategies on the indoor thermal environment of traditional dwellings in the Loess Plateau region, using the cave dwelling, known as Yaodong in Yulin, as a case study. Through on-site measurements, the study examines the effectiveness of climate responsiveness strategies on the indoor thermal conditions of different types of Yaodong (cliff-side style and independent style). Simultaneously, dynamic simulations are employed to analyze energy consumption of heating season (ECHP) and indoor temperature on the coldest day, while adjusting variable parameters of various passive strategies to identify the influences of factors affecting the indoor thermal performance of different types of Yaodong. The results indicate that the traditional Yaodong, employing passive design methods can contribute to enhancing indoor comfort under adverse climate conditions. The average indoor temperatures of cliff-side and independent Yaodong bedrooms are −1.9 °C and −3.2 °C, respectively, compared to the outdoor temperature of −12.8 °C, outperforming modern brick dwellings with an average indoor temperature of −9.3 °C. For cliff-side Yaodong, factors such as orientation, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), the aspect ratio, and sunspace prove to be the four most critical elements influencing indoor thermal performance. For independent Yaodong, the ranking of key factors is orientation, the aspect ratio, wall thermal resistance, and window-to-wall ratio. This study can provide guidance and reference for the preservation and revitalization of cave dwellings in the Loess Plateau region.

Improvement of Human Comfort in Rural Cave Dwellings via Sunrooms in Cold Regions of China

Economic development limits the living quality of rural residents. In particular, the residential buildings in northern China generally have poor thermal comfort in winter, which affects the physical and mental health of residents. Because of the separation of rooms, residents who live in cave dwellings often have to enter and leave rooms in the course of their daily lives, which leads to worse thermal feelings in winter. Because of the low price and the wind insulation and heat storage, sunrooms are widely used in renovations of rural houses. The traditional purpose of the addition of a sunroom is to provide a buffer room between outdoor and indoor spaces. This manuscript focuses on improving the degree of thermal comfort by means of a sunroom connecting all rooms. This study selected two families with the same number of members and similar daily activities as the study cases. One of the families had a sunroom built to connect its bedroom, living room, and washroom. The household’s air temperature and human comfort were measured both on holidays and on workdays. It is demonstrated that adding a sunroom can significantly stabilize the thermal environment and increase the air temperature in both the bedroom and the living room. Adding a sunroom can increase the air temperature of a cave dwelling’s main room by 1.0 °C on workdays and 4.3 °C on holidays. A cave dwelling with a sunroom can also provide residents with a decent level of human comfort for 24.4% of their daily time on workdays and 39.1% of the time during holidays. This research demonstrates that a sunroom can not only increase the air temperature in cave dwellings but also enhance the stability of human comfort. The conclusion provides new renovation ideas for improving the living comfort of cave dwellings.

Study on the indoor thermal comfort of cave dwellings in cold areas of China

Cave dwelling, as a common traditional housing form in rural areas, has long been regarded as a low-cost, green, and environmentally friendly living choice. The purpose of this study was to explore and improve the thermal comfort of cave dwellings, and to systematically evaluate and analyse the thermal comfort of cave dwellings through a combination of visit surveys and indoor environmental parameter monitoring. After statistical analysis and comparison of the collected data, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) The thermal neutrality temperature of 25.15 °C determined by Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) in this study was greater than the thermal neutrality temperature of 19.49 °C determined by Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV) model, indicating that cave dwellers prefer a cooler thermal environments under actual conditions. (2) In cold weather, the maximum value of 80% acceptability is 18.12 °C and the minimum value is 12.00 °C. In hot weather, the maximum value of 80% acceptability is 27.17 °C and the minimum value is 23.66 °C. (3) In winter, the average indoor temperature of 9.71 °C is higher than the average outdoor temperature of 7.85 °C; In summer, the average temperature in the naturally ventilated room of 27.44 °C is much lower than the average outdoor temperature of 35.25 °C. The results showed that the building materials and structure of cave houses can provide a certain degree of thermal insulation, which can provide a basis for the design and improvement of low-cost, energy-saving and environmentally friendly houses in rural areas.

Alces alces and Rangifer tarandus in the Pleistocene of Bulgaria (Artiodactyla: Cervidae)

An analysis of the past geographical and altitudinal distribution of bone remains of the elk (Alces alces) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Bulgaria is given. The data from seven fossil localities (Early–Late Pleistocene) from four provinces in the country are presented. The fossil record in Bulgaria shows the wide distribution of both deer species in the plain and hilly landscapes in the Danubian Plain in northern Bulgaria. No record of the two species has been known from Bulgaria south of the Stara Planina Mts. The localities of both species are spread over 250–750 m a. s. l., but majority of the findings are located at 335–390 m a. s. l. of the open steppe habitats. All data originate from the prehistoric cave dwellings of the Paleolithic people.

Feature Recognition and Classification of Shanxi Cave Dwellings Based on Deep Learning

Feature Recognition and Classification of Shanxi Cave Dwellings Based on Deep Learning

The New Mission of Abandoned Architectural Heritage

The construction of pit cave dwellings is a longstanding custom in China. However, as living standards have increased, this distinctive style of building is being gradually forgotten. Sanmenxia, Henan Province is known for its unique clay, which has contributed to the advancement of construction and architectural design. The region's unique climate, which is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, has also made people more nostalgic, which has led to a boom in the tourism industry. It's urgent to figure out how to revitalize and change the historic structures that will soon decay and vanish into something new in order to stay relevant.This essay explores the distinctive architectural style of China's pit cave dwellings, capturing its essence and adapting it to modern demands. It also serves to highlight the disappearing ancient architectural and cultural form while revitalizing the abandoned kiln and bringing it back to life. Enhancing the recreational area for the locals and drawing attention to the region's distinctive culture, the abandoned kiln will be transformed into a tourist destination with cultural activities.

A Hidden Water-Harvesting System: The Sassi di Matera

The water-harvesting system of the ancient Sassi di Matera, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, represents a clever way of living with water in an arid climate. The terrain, with its soft rocks (Calcarenite di Gravina), provided the foundation for the water-harvesting system that shaped the cave dwellings of Sassi physically, socially and culturally. People caught, guided and stored water in private and public spaces, mostly underground, ensuring its availability for all. In 1993 UNESCO declared the cave village a World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, the water-harvesting system of Sassi di Matera is no longer functioning. Its historic ingenuity is not as visible as the system deserves and its cultural and social values are almost forgotten. Using layered visual analysis – the illustrative method – knowledge can be collected and communicated in drawings to get insight regarding more resilient, circular, and people-related approaches (Bobbink, Chourairi and Di Nicola 2022). This article and the included drawings focus on the water system’s value, from which we can learn today.

On the taxonomic status of Dina ratschaensis Kobakhidze, 1958 with a description of two new species – Dina imeretiensis sp. nov. and D. samegreloensis sp. nov. (Annelida, Hirudinida: Erpobdellidae)

Two species of leeches were described from Georgia in the past, Dina ratschaensis Kobakhidze, 1958 from the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region and Trocheta ariescornuta Grosser, Barjadze & Maghradze, 2021 from the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. Both species were the only known typical representatives of cave leeches in Georgia. Recently, two more species of the genus Dina R. Blanchard, 1894 have been found in karst caves in this country. These leeches are morphologically similar to D. ratschaensis, from which they differ in the shape of the reproductive system, primarily the shape of the cornua of the genital atrium and the shape and extension of the vasa deferentia and ovisacs, justifying the description of two new species, Dina imeretiensis Grosser, Barjadze & Maghradze sp. nov. from the Imereti region and Dina samegreloensis Grosser, Barjadze & Shavadze sp. nov. from the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. Data on the cave dwelling invertebrate communities in the studied caves are provided. Molecular data are provided, and a phylogenetic tree based on Cox1 sequences of Dina spp. and related genera is provided and discussed.

The Trans-Himalayan Livelihood: Opportunities and Challenges in Tourism Development in Upper Mustang, Nepal

The people, places, and livelihoods of the Himalayan regions in Nepal are great attractions to tourists for multiple activities. However, mountain livelihood as tourist product has been little attention. This paper aims to present the Loba livelihood of the Upper Mustang, a trans-Himalayan region of Nepal as an intangible heritage, where the Government of Nepal began high-yielding tourism in 1992. Similarly, it focuses on opportunities and challenges of tourism development in the Upper Mustang. The paper is based on anthropological fieldwork conducted for the PhD, at Tribhuvan University, Nepal. The qualitative data were collected by applying observation and interview methods. The quantitative data were collected by Annapurna Conservation Area Project, Lo-manthang, and Jomsom. The important observable tourist goods in the study area include scenic desert-like natural surroundings, sacred sites, Himalayan festivals, rituals, local organic food items, and high altitude agricultural and pastoral practices. Similarly, the visitors are amazed and attracted by these tangible as well as intangible cultural heritages of Loba. The heritage includes the “mud-walled city of Lo-manthang”, medieval monasteries, palaces, and cave dwellings. The Loba livelihood is unique and a great attraction to domestic as well as international tourists for those who have no opportunity to experience a similar livelihood elsewhere. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Lo-manthang Unit Office records 52559 (1992-2019) foreign tourists visited Upper Mustang, which is increasing by 144 tourists per year. This study contributes to the local, provincial, and federal governments to plan further development of tourism in the Himalayan region.

“Re-evaluating the health performance of historical buildings using WELLV1 rating system”

The Southeast Tunisian cave dwellings of Matmata are a well-known historical model which amazingly adapt with cultural, environmental and climatic features of its surrounding. Many studies have discussed the sustainability of these dwellings but none has thoroughly discussed its performance on light of health and wellbeing of its dwellers. The WELLV1 rating system, established in 2016, is a first of a kind certification system that solely focus on the health performance of the built environment. It gives credit to designs that enhance and promote physical and psychological health of the users. The study examines the health performance of Matmata cave dwellings in the light of WELLV1 recommendations and features. The study revealed that these subterranean historical dwellings have proven good performance in relation to daylight saturation, indoor thermal relief, solar glare control, physical activity enhancement, exterior noise reduction, biophilic design and cultural enrichment. On the other hand, they lack sufficient performance in relation to air purification, social interaction, clean water supply, and altruism encouragement. Considering the scientific background, materials and technologies available for those who designed and built these dwellings, the health-related performance of their work seems unique and impressive.

Thermal environment optimisations of cave dwellings for the elderly in heating season among cold regions of China

In the vast developing world represented by China, the unsatisfactory thermal and humidity conditions among rural built environments are extremely harmful to the elderly-health in cold regions. The cave-dwellings maintain competent thermal stability, while with current refurbishment still cannot meet their relatively demanding thermal comfort needs. In fact, few studies have highlighted the optimisation effect of passive designs engaging various buffer spaces. Through experimental field measurements of representative cave dwelling and numerical simulations based on the DesignBuilder tool for the corresponding retrofit prototypes, this study investigated in detail the hidden correlations between key buffer space design variables (sunroom, under-eave gray space, courtyard, etc.) and the resulting indoor thermal and humidity performances for the elderly. The results of the study showed that:1) The average winter room temperatures of both heated (11.2 ± 1.5 °C) and unheated (6.4 ± 2.7 °C) rooms in traditional cave-dwellings fail to meet the recommended standard by World Health Organization (18 °C) and the Chinese national standard (16 °C–24 °C). 2) For living track temperature steps reduction, the southern sunroom has obvious impact (mostly <10 °C), while enclosed courtyards with glass-top can even enhance such performance (mostly <5 °C). 3) For boosting indoor temperatures in winter, sunroom with enclosed courtyard are most effective in unheated and heated conditions. As the first systematic work to reveal the thermal-enhancing effectiveness of the south-facing buffer space for cave-dwellings in cold climates, the research findings can assist optimizing-retrofitting for cave-dwellings among similar climatic regions globally.

Study on Mechanical Calculation Model of Arch Ring in Freestanding Stone Cave-Dwelling

The freestanding stone cave-dwelling is a kind of arched and sheltered house built with stones in the Loess Plateau region of northwest China. Amazingly, before construction, this kind of cave-dwelling was not formally calculated and designed in theory, but only built on the experience passed down by predecessors. The arch ring is the main load-bearing component of the freestanding stone cave-dwelling, through which the upper loads are transmitted to the legs on the left and right sides of the cave-dwelling and then to the foundations. Therefore, it is a prerequisite to ensure the safety of cave dwellings by adopting a reasonable and accurate mechanical calculation model for the arch ring of a stone cave-dwelling to reveal the distribution of internal forces in the arch ring and scientifically design the arch ring accordingly. Three mechanical calculation models (structural calculation diagrams) are adopted for the arch ring of stone cave-dwelling, namely, hingeless arch, two-hinged arch, and three-hinged arch. Based on the force equilibrium and the force method from the structure mechanics, the formulae for calculating the internal force of the stone arch ring under these three different mechanical calculation models are derived respectively. The mechanical calculation results of three calculation models are compared and analyzed to clarify the difference and rationality of the stress results of the arch ring under the three mechanical calculation models and the degree of influence on the force of the lower cave-dwelling leg members. Lastly, in accordance with the internal force calculation results, the calculation formulae for the design of the arch ring thickness are proposed. The study shows that the hingeless arch and two-hinged arch models are more consistent with the actual failure characteristics, two-hinged arch calculation model is safer, more accu-rate, and more reliable than the hingeless arch calculation model when it is used in the mechanical analysis of circular arc arch ring. The findings are intended to serve as theoretical references for the design and construction, protection and reinforcement, and sustainable development and inheritance of cave dwellings in the future.

Molecular systematics and phylogenetics of the spider genus Mastigusa Menge, 1854 (Araneae, Cybaeidae)

The palearctic spider genus Mastigusa Menge, 1854 is characterized by a remarkable morphology and wide ecological variability, with free-living, cave dwelling and myrmecophile populations known. This genus has a long and tangled taxonomic history and was placed in different families in the past, all belonging to the “marronoid clade”, an informal grouping of families characterized by the lack of strong synapomorphies. Three species are currently recognized, but their identity and circumscription has been long debated. A molecular approach was never applied for trying to solve these uncertainties, and doubts still remain both about its phylogenetic placement and about the taxonomic status of the described species. For the first time the genus Mastigusa is included in a molecular phylogenetic analysis and strong support is found for its placement within the family Cybaeidae, in sister relationship with the genus Cryphoeca Thorell, 1870. An analysis of Mastigusa populations spanning across the distribution range of the genus identifies a high and previously overlooked genetic diversity, with six distinct genetic lineages showing a strong geographic pattern. Divergence times between Mastigusa and its sister genus and between the distinct Mastigusa lineages are estimated, and the groundwork is laid for a taxonomic revision of the species belonging to the genus.

Fossil Record and Distribution of the Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) (Linnaeus, 1758) (Phasianidae - Aves) in Bulgaria 549

An analysis of the past geographical, altitudinal and chrono-stratigraphical distribution of the Hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) remains in Bulgaria is given, based on fossil and subfossil bone remains. Data of 8 Quaternary localities (Calabrian to Meghalayan (former Early Pleistocene to Late Holocene)) from Bulgaria are presented. The records prove the wide distribution of the species mainly in the lowland plain landscapes in North Bulgaria in contrast to modern distribution. The localities were spread at 75 to 580 m a.s.l. but the majority of them were located bellow 250 m a.s.l. Most data originate from the prehistoric cave dwellings of the Paleolithic people.

Novel Husbandry Practices Result in Rapid Rates of Growth and Sexual Maturation Without Impacting Adult Behavior in the Blind Mexican Cavefish.

Animal model systems are dependent on the standardization of husbandry protocols that maximize growth and reduce generation time. The Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, exists as eyed surface and blind cave dwelling populations. The opportunity for comparative approaches between independently evolved populations has led to the rapid growth of A. mexicanus as a model for evolution and biomedical research. However, a slow and inconsistent growth rate remains a major limitation to the expanded application of A. mexicanus. Fortunately, this temporal limitation can be addressed through husbandry changes that accelerate growth rates while maintaining optimal health outcomes. Here, we describe a husbandry protocol that produces rapid growth rates through changes in diet, feeding frequency, growth sorting and progressive changes in tank size. This protocol produced robust growth rates and decreased the age of sexual maturity in comparison to our previous protocol. To determine whether changes in feeding impacted behavior, we tested fish in exploration and schooling assays. We found no difference in behavior between the two groups, suggesting that increased feeding and rapid growth will not impact the natural variation in behavioral traits. Taken together, this standardized husbandry protocol will accelerate the development of A. mexicanus as a genetic model.

Force Analysis of Masonry Cave-Dwelling Structure Based on Elastic Center Method

The cave dwelling is one of the most typical traditional dwellings and green building forms in the Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi. The construction of the cave dwelling was built only based on the experience passed down by predecessors, without the guidance of formal design theories and calculation methods, and the overall safety of the cave-dwelling structure needs to be solved urgently. To make the mechanical analysis model closer to the actual force of the masonry cave dwelling, it is proposed to simplify the arch ring in the masonry cave-dwelling structure into an unhinged arch mechanical calculation model. Applying the theory of elastic center to the force method calculation in structural mechanics, the force of the cave-dwelling structure is analyzed and compared with the force results of the three-hinged arch calculation model, so as to determine the correctness and reliability of the calculation diagram of the unhinged arch. The conclusions indicate it is correct and reliable to use the unhinged arch calculation model, which is closer to the actual force situation, to calculate the forces of the arch rings in masonry cave dwellings, and both the three-hinged arch and unhinged arch models are feasible to be applied to the mechanical analysis of the arch rings. The unhinged arch calculation model is more reliable and safer in the design and calculation of the cave-dwelling leg components compared with the three-hinged arch calculation model because it considers the bending moment at the arch foot support. The research results can be used to improve the structural design data of the cave dwelling and provide theoretical guidance for the construction, repair, and protection of the cave dwelling.

Variable Eyes Degeneration of the Cave Carp Sinocyclocheilus bicornutus (Cyprinidae) from Guizhou Province, Southwest China

Sinocyclocheilus bicornutus is a valid cave–dwelling cyprinid species with small eyes from Guizhou province, southwest China, the close relatives of which are also small eyed and obligate cave–dwelling. Our expeditions in 2015 to 2017 found the intraspecific variability of eye degeneration based on total 114 specimens collected from one lighted and two dark caves with an altitude of about 1350 m. Three morphotypes, the small eyed, the rudimentary eyed, and the eyeless, co-occurred in each cave. The eye size closely correlates with the standard length SL in the lighted cave, while the correlation of the eye size and SL become loosely related in the dark caves which associated with increased proportion of significantly degenerative eyed morphotypes. It implies that the developmental retardation occurs in the darkness and remains in adult stage. The variable eye-reduced populations of S. bicornutus provide an interesting model to address the involvement of potential epigenetic mechanisms with the regressive evolution of cavefish.