Historical Landscape Research Articles

Landscape Histories and the Search for Early Settlements along Louisiana's Bayous

Abstract Historical changes from shifting land use, the natural meandering of waterways, and the aftereffects of erosion complicate modern environments and obfuscate precontact landscapes. Although archaeologists can create stratified sampling models or employ systematic surveys, traditional field methodologies are often not suitable for site discovery, thereby limiting knowledge of ancient cultural landscapes. Many water systems in southern Louisiana, and in many parts of the world, have been covered or concealed in backswamps by natural geomorphological processes, development, or environmental degradation. Investigation standards that do not account for these changes will not be effective at identifying archaeological sites in such transformed landscapes. Discoveries made during ongoing archaeological research in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, provide examples of what can be missed and offer solutions through changes in archaeological field methods. This article advocates for a mixed-methodology approach, drawing from historical research and shallow geophysics to look at landforms and landscape changes. Strictly following state survey guidelines can muddle the archaeological record, particularly in places subject to significant landscape change from historical land-use alteration. By applying these approaches, we offer a way to reconstruct ancient landscapes and landforms that are culturally significant but often missed given the nature of modern environmental conditions.

Late Glacial and Holocene history of climate, vegetation landscapes and fires in South Taiga of Western Siberia based on radiocarbon dating and multi-proxy palaeoecological research of sediments from Shchuchye Lake

Abstract To investigate long-term relationships between climate, vegetation, landscape geochemistry and fires in the boreal forest zone of Western Siberia, a sediment core of 345 cm was collected from Shchuchye Lake (located in south taiga zone of southeast part of West Siberian plain) and investigated by spore-pollen, radiocarbon, LOI and charcoal analyses. Quantitative palaeoclimate was reconstructed based on pollen data. Investigation revealed 13.2 cal ka history of vegetation, climate, landscapes and fires. In the dry climate of Late Glacial, the landscape was treeless. Continuous permafrost existed in the soil. In the middle of the YD cooling 12.4–12.2 cal ka BP, our data showed warming that caused degradation of permafrost in soils and settlement of spruce in moist places. Later, thawing and accumulation of moisture in a local lowering in relief increased and a lake was formed. With the beginning of the Holocene, the climate sharply changed to warmer and wetter. Intensified surface flow caused accumulation of mineral and carbonate fraction in the lake. Dense birch forests spread on drylands. As a result, the leaching regime initiated the formation of podzols in the soil. At about 10.0 cal ka BP, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) quickly spread in the area of investigation. Fires became more frequent and more intense during the dry Late Glacial time, sharply decreasing with increased precipitation in the Early Holocene, and again moderately increasing with spread of pine forests in the mid Holocene. With the transition to Late Holocene (after 6.0 cal ka BP), the intensity of regional background fires and number of local fires decreased.

Urban agriculture and urban planning: a case of Bangalore between the 1950s and the 1970s

With urbanisation moving at a faster pace than ever before, discussions on Urban Agriculture (UA) and its role in sustainable development have taken centre stage. The implementation of UA has its challenges, one of them being how urban development frameworks view it. This paper examines the disappearance of a historic UA landscape in Bangalore, India between the 1950s and the 1970s, a period of post-independence urban planning. Using historical records including urban planning documents, government files, and oral histories that I recorded with a traditional community of UA practitioners—the Vahnikula Kshatriya—in Bangalore on their memories of the 1950s–1970s, I argue that colonial frameworks in post-independence urban development plans not only displaced UA but also continues to affect it. This paper highlights the urgent need to change how urban planning in formerly colonised places approaches UA.

Elite poems and mass proverbs: exploring the historic landscape in Nanchang City, China

The rapid process of urbanisation has led to the erosion of the preservation of features of urban landscape. Research on historical landscapes in ancient urban planning has predominantly concentrated on the elite class, neglecting the broader population. Nanchang, a city with a history spanning over two millennia of urban development, is the focus of this study. The study integrates elite poems and mass proverbs through GIS spatial matching and KH Coder word frequency analysis to research the historic landscape in Nanchang City. The research uncovers that the elite class focuses on the historical, literary, and aesthetic aspects of Nanchang, while the masses emphasise urban structure, functionality, and aspirations. These dual perspectives underscore Nanchang’s evolution from inception to formalisation, highlighting its ability to cater to diverse societal needs. The efforts on the distribution of landscape spots and strict modulus reflect the adaptability and sustainability of Nanchang City.

Capturing the transition of historic urban landscapes using scores from Hanoi’s ancient quarter

ABSTRACT Asian cities are exposed to dynamic changes in their historic urban landscapes (HULs). However, the ways in which to quantify the degree of landscape change to guide spatial management have remained underexplored. Taking rapidly changing Hàng Buồm Street, Hanoi, Vietnam, as case study, we developed a numerical score for HULs to capture change tendencies. From onsite surveys, we defined the intensity and speed of change in trade and façades and identified vulnerable spots by mapping the scores for 131 units in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Our results showed that superficial façade changes happened regardless of the degree of trade change, and that the intense façade and trade changes happened around junctions with heavily touristified streets. We also found that aside from conventional tourism, newly emerging nighttime economies, wellness tourism, and multifunctional complexes had more intense façade changes. Based on these findings, we propose refining current management strategies by preparing stricter guidelines to control the aforementioned highly influential trades, establishing urban design project for old street to improve management of junctions especially with heavily touristified streets, and providing detailed examples of appropriate signboards that can easily be referenced by merchants and investors.

Disruption of Pastoral Nomadism: The Impacts of Russian Colonialism on the Kazakh Steppe during the 19ᵗʰ and 20ᵗʰ Centuries

This study examines the multifaceted impacts of Russian colonization on the Kazakh Steppes during the 19ᵗʰ and 20ᵗʰ centuries. The colonization process caused significant destruction in various fields in the region, including migration routes, livestock herds, socioeconomic life, trade networks, housing and dietary patterns of nomadic communities. Russian expansionism, aimed at establishing control over the steppe, led to the blockage of ancient migration routes and the restriction of nomadic economic resources. The blockage of migration routes, forced transition to capitalism, forced sedentarization and interaction with sedentary life transformed the livestock herds of the nomads. Socio-economic life and trade were restructured by the Tsardom for reasons such as integration into the Russian Empire market, change of commercial centers and concentration of wealth. The changing structure of pastoral nomadism also led to transformations in housing and diet. Comprehending the complex dynamics of Russian colonialism on the Kazakh Steppe will reveal the destruction of nomadic life by scrutinizing the historical and contemporary sociocultural landscape of the region.

Digital narratives and historical representation: A review - analyzing how digital mediums are revolutionizing the way history is taught and perceived

This study critically examines the transformative impact of digital narratives on historical representation, focusing on how digital mediums have revolutionized the way history is taught, perceived, and interacted with. Employing a systematic literature review and content analysis methodology, the research analyzes data from peer-reviewed articles, books, and digital platforms published between 2013 and 2023. The study's objectives include exploring the emergence and evolution of digital narratives in historical education, assessing their methodological approaches, and evaluating their educational, cultural, and technological impacts. Key findings reveal that digital narratives have significantly altered historical representation, introducing interactive storytelling techniques, democratizing historical knowledge, and integrating advanced technologies like AI and VR in historical education. These narratives have enhanced accessibility and engagement but also presented challenges such as the digital divide, the need for standardization, and potential biases in historical interpretation. The study concludes that the future landscape of historical representation in the digital age is poised to balance traditional and digital methodologies, emphasizing inclusivity and technological innovation. Recommendations are provided for educators, policy makers, and technologists to collaboratively create an accessible, accurate, and engaging digital historical landscape. Future research directions include investigating the long-term impacts of digital narratives on historical understanding, developing pedagogical strategies for digital history education, and exploring ethical considerations in digital historical representation. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic role of digital narratives in shaping historical knowledge and education in the digital era.

Reconnecting River-City: A Visibility and Accessibility Assessment of the Ping River’s View Characters in Chiang Mai City

A river’s landmarks have advantages in attracting people to engage with natural/historical settings. However, uncontrolled development can have negative effects on the visual and obstruct people’s access. In this context, researchers have highlighted obstacles to these landmarks and suggested features of the relationship between the visibility and accessibility to these landmarks, aiming to preserve heritage sites. This project evaluated riverscape landmarks to develop a strategic urban design that uses scientific and spatial toolkits to maintain the historic landmark on the riverside in Chiang Mai city. The methodology utilized for GIS included visibility and accessibility assessments as variables for analyzing interconnections and classification utilizing the statistical method of hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). The findings indicate differences in the accessibility of angular step coverage (ASC) and walking distance coverage (WDC), which have an impact on landmark designation. The city-level landmarks have the highest ASC, while various religious landmarks display the highest visibility. These factors have a unique impact on the HCA results, which are categorized into six groups that are consistent with the historical content and purpose of the landmarks. The clustered groups represent the strategic design of the riverscape, which necessitates policies to enhance the potential for preserving these icons as part of the historic landscape.

Volcanic tuff as a World Heritage Georesource, a Case Study of Tokaj Wine Region UNESCO Cultural Landscape

Volcanic tephra and pyroclastic rocks are common georesources worldwide. Volcanic eruptions produce these materials, and the freshly deposited volcaniclastic sediments undergo variable diagenesis and possible hydrothermal alteration. The rhyolitic pyroclastic rocks of the Carpathian Basin were formed as a result of major silicic volcanism during the Miocene and are exposed in several volcanic regions. The use of these stones depends on their physical properties, such as hardness, colour, and transportability, especially in masonry and ornamental design. The study site, the Tokaj Wine Region (TWR) Historic Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO site located in NE Hungary, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2002. The silicic pyroclastic rocks, here we also referred to them as rhyolite tuffs, are significant geological resources in the UNESCO cultural heritage designation. The pyroclastic formations cover an area of about 100 km2 and were deposited by three major explosive eruptions (13.1–11.5 Ma). The local varieties are defined by primary volcanological features and secondary (diagenetic, hydrothermal) effects. The stone was extracted from more than 40 open pit quarries dating from the Middle Ages. The wine cellars and dry-built terrace walls are important cultural features of the volcanic tuff use. The geoconservation value of the rhyolite tuff is well illustrated by the exposed special geological features, which represent important sites of volcanic formations. However, only one site has been declared a nature conservation area. Several historic quarries are currently abandoned, and there are many problems due to the lack of their restoration. The most common problems are the instability of quarry walls, illegal dumping, pollution, and dense vegetation covering the geological values. The volcanic tuff has a great potential as a georesource (quarries, cellars, and terrace walls) adding value to World Heritage Site, but special efforts are needed to demonstrate its potential for geoconservation, geotourism, and geo-education.

Analysis of Multi-Dimensional Layers in Historic Districts Based on Theory of the Historic Urban Landscape: Taking Shenyang Fangcheng as an Example

The accelerated process of urbanisation in China is resulting in a decline in and threat to the historic landscape of historic districts. This study is based on the theory of historic urban landscapes and employs a multi-dimensional layers research framework for historic districts. It adopts a single case study and a research method that combines quantitative and qualitative methods. The stratification elements of Fangcheng in Shenyang are identified and summarised, the process of stratification is analysed, and the stratification patterns and laws are summarised through the acquisition and collection of multivariate data. The findings of this study indicate that the stratification elements of the Fangcheng Historic District have undergone five distinct phases of stratification evolution. The resulting stratification pattern can be summarised as follows: newborn, preserve, override, juxtaposition and decession. The spatial elements are layered in the following pattern: The historic landscape can be conceptualised as comprising four layers: (1) the layering of the historic landscape with large public buildings as the anchor point; (2) the layering of the historic landscape with the spatial pattern as the skeleton; (3) the layering of the historic landscape with the iconic buildings as the nodes; and (4) the layering of the historic landscape with the correlative elements as the substrate. The law of value element layering primarily reflects the principles of concentration, diversity and adaptation. In light of the urban historic landscape theory, the reconstruction and restoration strategies, integration of old and new and adaptive conservation of historic landscapes are proposed to offer novel insights and guidance for the conservation of the historic landscape in the Fangcheng Historic District.

Исторические предпосылки этноязыковой картины юга России (Адыгея, Дагестан, Калмыкия, Волгоградская область)

The study aims to identify the features and uniqueness of the ethnolinguistic picture of Southern Russia and to substantiate the origin and composition of regional toponymics, as toponyms are a key code / source of information in the historical landscape. They are recorded in documents, lexicographic sources, atlases, as well as in narrative sources related to the southern territories of Russia. The article describes the history of the appearance of Slavic, Turkic, Adyghe, Dagestani, Iranian, and other peoples in the territory under consideration, the processes of ethnic migrations, and the current state of the population of the southern regions of Russia. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that it provides, for the first time, a comprehensive overview based on chronological facts of the presence of historically formed ethnic groups in the southern regions of Russia as sources of the toponymic picture. This picture is generally represented by the names of settlements, rivers, and mountains. As a result, the historical preconditions for the emergence of appellative-onymic complexes in such regions of the Russian Federation as the Republic of Adygea, Volgograd Oblast, the Republic of Dagestan, and the Republic of Kalmykia are substantiated.

ЗАМЕТКИ ПО ИСТОРИЧЕСКОЙ ГЕОГРАФИИ КУЛЬТУРНОГО ЛАНДШАФТА СЕЛА БАЛТА-ЧОКРАК В ЮГО-ЗАПАДНОМ КРЫМУ В КОНЦЕ XVIII – ПЕРВОЙ ПОЛОВИНЕ ХХ В.

This article presents a study of the surviving elements of the cultural landscape and the reconstruction of the disappeared elements of this landscape using the example of the abolished village of Balta-Chokrak in the Crimean Mountains, as well as a demonstration of the possibilities of such an approach to other rural cultural landscapes of Crimea. The authors developed a classification of the degree of preservation of the historical rural cultural landscapes of Crimea, according to which the cultural landscape of the village of Balta-Chokrak is characterized by a low degree of preservation (due to the destruction of the previous planning of residential development as a result of modern economic activity). Despite the above fact, single elements of the relict rural landscape have been preserved on the territory of the former village. Thanks to documentary evidence and a survey of the territory, the researchers were able to determine the location of various elements of the cultural landscape of the village, such as: a water supply source, colonists’ houses, an agricultural district with arable and pasture lands, small wood forest and areas for stone mining, transport infrastructure, religious buildings and necropolis. It is also important that since the necropolis of the village of Balta-Chokrak is one of the few surviving elements of the cultural landscape. Therefore, a complete catalog of his tombstones and their fragments is also presented.

The Implementation and Implications of Sustainable Development Goals at City Scale and Sustainable Urban Development Path

Cities were products of human social development, but the environmental pollution problems brought by high-density buildings and high-density populations in cities had become increasingly serious. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations in 2015 were closely related to urban sustainable development issues. Based on it, this article analyzed the impact of SDGs and related theories on urban sustainable development and possible development directions. Starting from the impact of SDGs on urban sustainable development, elaborated on their impact on already implemented urban sustainable projects and relevant theories. It concluded that the future development of sustainable cities should be based on existing cities, with different focuses on developed and developing countries, but both require the protection of historical value landscapes and the greening of existing facilities. By explaining the theories and practical cases related to SDGs and sustainable cities, hoping to provide a reference and guidance for the path of urban sustainable development.

Settlement Patterns and Built Environment at the Archaeological Site of Yalahau, Yucatan

ABSTRACT The Parque Estatal de Yalahau Project is a multidisciplinary effort combining archaeology, paleoecology, and historical ecology. The initial analysis focuses on settlement patterns within the Protected Natural Area of Parque Estatal de Yalahau-Yucatan, Mexico. The research uses a conceptual framework integrating humans, non-human species, and geological/climatic forces into a holistic, historical landscape approach, where humans shaped and symbolically interpreted their surroundings, leaving tangible impacts. The study situates findings within the Maya region, contributing to the growing recognition that the ancient Maya shaped sustainable landscapes rather than degrading the environment. The discussion centers on three key aspects of the Prehispanic Yalahau landscape: 1) settlement patterns in wetlands; 2) Maya environmental engineering and the absence of water stress; and, 3) landscape as an expression of sociopolitical strategy. The Yalahau site demonstrates how the Maya thoughtfully blended urban spaces with plants, animal ecologies, and water resources, reflecting deep social understanding of terrain and wetlands.

Resilience Against Resistance: Exploring Cutting-edge Therapies for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] stands as an enduring threat within healthcare landscapes, characterized by its ability to rapidly evolve and develop resistance to conventional antibiotics. This comprehensive review embarks on a journey through the historical landscape of MRSA, elucidating its initial emergence and subsequent evolution of resistance mechanisms over time. The narrative unfolds to underscore the profound impact of MRSA on patient outcomes and healthcare systems globally. Current trends in MRSA therapies come under meticulous scrutiny, spotlighting the limitations and challenges associated with existing treatment modalities. This analysis underscores the critical need for transformative and innovative therapeutic strategies to effectively combat the ever-growing spectre of drug resistance in MRSA from the exploration of novel antibiotics designed to overcome resistance mechanisms to the promising potential of phage therapy and immunotherapies. Amidst the exploration of innovative therapies, the review identifies and discusses emerging issues and challenges in MRSA management. Insights are provided into the intricate web of obstacles hindering the adoption and implementation of new therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, the socio-economic implications of MRSA and drug resistance are brought to the forefront, emphasizing the broader impact on public health and healthcare systems. In parallel, historical perspectives on MRSA research illuminate key milestones in scientific understanding and technological advancements. The evolution of research strategies and their impact on our ability to comprehend and combat MRSA is examined, providing context for the current state of the field. In conclusion, this review summarizes major findings and drawing implications for the future of MRSA treatment. Recommendations for further research and clinical practice are outlined, encapsulating a holistic overview of the resilient efforts against resistance in the ongoing battle against MRSA.

Forgotten Ecological Corridors: A GIS Analysis of the Ditches and Hedges in the Roman Centuriation Northeast of Padua

Studying historical rural landscapes beyond their archaeological and cultural significance, as has typically been addressed in previous research, is important in the context of current environmental challenges. Some historical rural landscapes, such as Roman land divisions, have persisted for more than 2000 years and may still contribute to sustainability goals. To assess this topic, the hydraulic and vegetation network of the centuriation northeast of Padua were studied, emphasising their multiple benefits. Their length, distribution, and evolution over time (2008–2022) were vectorised and measured using available digital terrain models and orthophotographs in a geographic information system (GIS). The results revealed a significant decline in the length of water ditches and hedgerows across almost all examined areas, despite their preservation being highlighted in regional and local spatial planning documents. These findings indicate the need for a better understanding of the local dynamics driving such trends and highlight the importance of adopting a more tailored approach to their planning. This study discusses the GIS metrics utilised and, in this way, contributes to landscape monitoring and restoration actions. Finally, a multifunctional approach to the sustainable planning of this area is proposed here—one that integrates the cultural archaeological heritage in question with environmental preservation and contemporary climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Montane willow scrub restoration in Scotland: reviewing 30 years of progress to reestablish the altitudinal treeline

Many mountain woodlands across the globe have undergone anthropogenic degradation with negative implications for the ecological and socioeconomic systems dependent on them. Montane willows are arctic‐alpine species of high nature conservation concern within the altitudinal treeline. Scotland has been pioneering the restoration of montane willow scrub for three decades following widespread loss linked particularly to overgrazing by sheep and deer since the eighteenth century. In the 1990s, the total area of montane willows throughout the country was less than 10 ha, with most remaining populations highly fragmented, in rapid decline, and restricted to inaccessible cliffs. Subsequently, montane willow scrub restoration has been part of an overall 2659 ha area managed for the recovery of mountain woodlands in Scotland. By May 2023, 396,868 montane willows were planted in projects encompassing large‐scale habitat creation, relict population reinforcement by genetic rescue, fencing, and landscape‐scale management for low‐density deer populations. This review summarizes restoration methods and outcomes with case study examples to promote conservation evidence and research on plant growth and survival, planting sites, associated biodiversity, molecular ecology, genomics, and long‐term population sustainability. With the potential for montane scrub restoration to be widely expanded, improved connectivity to revive a treeline mosaic shaped by regeneration will tackle biodiversity loss and help mitigate climate change impacts on a national scale. However, caution must be applied to creating definitions of distinct habitats for restoration that are based on non‐natural or ecologically degraded systems. These experiences are particularly relevant to montane and circumpolar regions with strongly modified landscape histories.

Research on the tourist destination image of the Huaiyang Canal based on network data

The Huaiyang Canal, a significant section of the Grand Canal, boasts representative tourist attractions. This study analysis of online reviews from Ctrip and Mahive using R language, Gephi, ROST CM, and SPSS has provided insights into tourists’ perceptions of the Huaiyang Canal’s image. Key findings include: (1) Dominant landscape images encompass gardens, canals, and buildings, emphasizing the historical and cultural assets. Both cultural and natural landscapes equally captivate tourists. (2) The canal’s tourism image perception follows a “garden-history-canal” hierarchy with the canal as the central space and history expanding its tourism features. (3) The perceptions can be categorized into historical and cultural landscapes, man-made projects, and attraction perception. Despite varying tourist numbers in Huaian and Yangzhou, scenic spot experiences are similar. The overall perception of tourists is largely positive, but some express concerns about service attitudes and travel time planning.

Discovery and Reconstruction of the Remains of the Beacon-Equipped Hollow Enemy Towers along the Ming Great Wall

Hollow Enemy Towers, as iconic structures of the Ming Great Wall, are renowned for their roles in defense surveillance, weapon storage, and firearm operation. Recent studies have indicated that certain Hollow Enemy Towers along the Ji Town section of the Ming Great Wall also serve the function of Beacon Towers for beacon signaling. However, previous studies have not definitively determined if these towers were distinctively marked, nor have they provided a comprehensive account of their current distribution and original historical appearance. This paper initially examined the historical documentation of white lime markings employed on the outer walls of certain Hollow Enemy Towers, which served as Beacon Towers during the middle and late Ming periods. Utilizing multidisciplinary methodologies, this research identified remains of lime markings of the Beacon-Equipped Hollow Enemy Towers along the Ji Town section of the Ming Great Wall, illustrating their extensive distribution. We analyzed the material composition and construction techniques of the lime mortar. This analysis clarifies the scope of lime plastering on the exterior walls of these towers and offers a point of reference for restoring their original historical appearance. The results make a significant supplement to the types of signaling structures on the Great Wall, enriching existing understanding of the original appearance of the Great Wall’s historical landscape.

ML Approaches for the Study of Significant Heritage Contexts: An Application on Coastal Landscapes in Sardinia

Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Science (GIS) techniques are powerful tools for spatial data collection, analysis, management, and digitization within cultural heritage frameworks. Despite their capabilities, challenges remain in automating data semantic classification for conservation purposes. To address this, leveraging airborne Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) point clouds, complex spatial analyses, and automated data structuring is crucial for supporting heritage preservation and knowledge processes. In this context, the present contribution investigates the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies for automating existing LiDAR data structuring, focusing on the case study of Sardinia coastlines. Moreover, the study preliminary addresses automation challenges in the perspective of historical defensive landscapes mapping. Since historical defensive architectures and landscapes are characterized by several challenging complexities—including their association with dark periods in recent history and chronological stratification—their digitization and preservation are highly multidisciplinary issues. This research aims to improve data structuring automation in these large heritage contexts with a multiscale approach by applying Machine Learning (ML) techniques to low-scale 3D Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) point clouds. The study thus develops a predictive Deep Learning Model (DLM) for the semantic segmentation of sparse point clouds (<10 pts/m2), adaptable to large landscape heritage contexts and heterogeneous data scales. Additionally, a preliminary investigation into object-detection methods has been conducted to map specific fortification artifacts efficiently.