Heritage Site Research Articles

Cultural heritage education and militarization: a case-study of the Castel National Heritage Site in Israel

Cultural heritage education and militarization: a case-study of the Castel National Heritage Site in Israel

Rural Settlement Dynamics in a Rapidly Urbanizing Landscape: Insights from Satellite Remote Sensing and Archaeological Field Surveys in Zanzibar, Tanzania

ABSTRACT In Africa, rapid urbanization covers archaeological sites and limits the utility of traditional archaeological field survey methods. This is not only a crisis for archaeological heritage conservation, but it also distinctly impacts anthropological understandings of African urban trajectories since much evidence for precolonial urbanism lies within areas of rapid expansion. However, high-resolution multitemporal satellite data may facilitate reconstructions of urban growth in African cities, enabling archaeological surveys to target undeveloped areas for prospection within the interstices of modern urban development. This paper describes an application of satellite remote sensing for archaeological prospection within the rapidly urbanizing hinterland of Zanzibar Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Survey results reveal settlement trajectories around the city over the last millennium, drawing attention to the role of rural agricultural land as a factor in the emergence of precolonial urbanism and the continued significance of rural places as urbanization progressed into the Colonial era.

A Comparative Analysis of Drone and Boat Monitoring for the Endangered Bolivian River Dolphin

Accurate population monitoring is essential for effective wildlife conservation. This study compares the effectiveness of drone-based vs traditional boat-based methods for assessing an endangered Bolivian river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis boliviensis; BRD) population in Bolivia. Data were collected using high-resolution video recorded with a DJI Mavic 2 zoom drone and standardized methodologies for boat surveys. Two mixed-effects linear models incorporating Poisson and negative binomial error structures were used to compare counts obtained from drone- and boat-based surveys. Results show that drone-based surveys detected 1.15% more individuals on average than boat-based surveys. Drone counts were higher at sites with larger group sizes, leading to congruent estimates. The aerial perspective that drones offer lets researchers overcome potential challenges from boat-based surveys—for example, difficulties related to confirming individual IDs because of limited visibility due to sun glare. Transitioning from boat- to drone-based surveys offers advantages such as reduced disturbance from placement closer to the animals and improved detection rates. Ethical considerations and responsible flight practices are crucial. Standardizing methodologies and prioritizing ethical research factors are key for successful implementation. Drone-based surveys offer a promising approach to enhance wildlife monitoring and conservation practices. This study is the first of this kind for Bolivia, a national natural heritage site, and contributes to the conservation and knowledge of the BRD.

Advancements in ecological assets and ecological product supply: in-depth insights from Karst World Heritage sites

AbstractEcological assets (EA) are fundamental to the supply of ecological products (EP). They underpin the provision of ecological functions by ecosystems, their existence, and health. However, a comprehensive assessment of EA and the supply of EP remains lacking. This study employs the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method and identifies 215 relevant articles from the Scopus database. The study: (1) Analyzes selected literature by publication years, research themes, geographical distribution, affiliations, and stages. (2) Summarizes key advances and significant achievements in domestic and international research. (3) Formulates six critical scientific questions and provides recommendations based on the current status and characteristics of EA and the supply of EP in Karst World Heritage (WH) Sites. This study furnishes research insights for practitioners and policymakers in the field, contributing to the sustainable development of ecosystems in Karst WH Sites.

Research on the design and image perception of cultural landscapes based on digital roaming technology

AbstractThe preservation and advancement of cultural heritage continue to present significant challenges, arising from conflicting objectives, concepts, methodologies, and limited resources. Image perception not only serves as an observational tool for cultural heritage but also as a research method to uncover deeper meanings and implications. To explore the complex dynamics of cultural heritage and address the risks of its deterioration, this study employed virtual engine software (Unity 2019) to create digital landscapes for immersive exploration. An image perception evaluation framework was established through field surveys and behavioral synthesis experiments across five key areas, including ancient tree ecosystems and architectural sites. Our findings revealed that participants showed the greatest interest in the ancient tree ecological area, indicating a strong attachment to historical continuity and natural progression. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis further demonstrated that participants experienced positive emotional responses, suggesting that well-designed cultural landscapes can enhance mental well-being and uplift mood. Additionally, participants expressed a strong willingness to discuss the ancient tree eco-region, with image perception playing a crucial role in motivating information sharing and driving conservation efforts. This study introduces an innovative model—Design Practice, Immersive Experience, and Image Perception Evaluation—which offers a new perspective for the preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage sites.

Navigating the challenges of over-tourism: comparative insights and solutions from Petra and Karnak

ABSTRACT This study examines the impacts of excessive tourism on two distinct UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Petra in Jordan and the Karnak Temples in Egypt. These sites were selected for their unique archaeological value and the specific, contrasting challenges they face due to their geographical locations, cultural significance, and differing visitor management contexts. By employing qualitative methods, such as interviews, field observations, and document analysis, the research investigates the environmental, structural, social, and cultural consequences of over-tourism at both sites. The findings reveal that, despite their differences, Petra and Karnak share common issues, including environmental degradation, structural damage, social inequality, and cultural erosion, exacerbated by overcrowding, irresponsible tourist behavior, and inadequate management practices. The study highlights the need for targeted and context-specific solutions, such as improved crowd management, eco-friendly transportation, comprehensive waste management, and stronger community involvement in conservation efforts. By adopting these integrated and sustainable approaches, stakeholders can better mitigate the adverse impacts of tourism and preserve the historical and cultural integrity of these sites. This research provides a valuable contribution to the discourse on sustainable tourism management by offering practical, site-specific insights for heritage preservation.

Assessment of the impact of the Syrian conflict on archaeological sites in the Daraa region

To date, the attention of both local and global cultural heritage preservation initiatives in Daraa Province, southern Syria, have focused on the well-known Bosra World Heritage site. A comprehensive investigation of damage to Daraa’s many other archaeological sites, poorly studied in comparison to other parts of Syria, has until now, not been undertaken. This study, for the first time, attempts to remedy this, by detailing 1632 instances of damage across 196 archaeological sites surveyed using freely available high-resolution satellite images captured between 2004 and 2022. A key element of this dataset is that it indicates that while the types of damage to heritage sites identified are similar to those that have been documented elsewhere in Syria, the temporal and spatial patterning of this damage can be related to specific local conditions and events. This underscores the need for large-scale studies undertaken using remote sensing, to be grounded within an understanding of local circumstances, to maximize their information value.

Visitors’ Experiences of Deyrulzafaran Monastery Through Netnography Approach

This article analyzes the experiences and perceptions of visitors to Deyrulzafaran Monastery using the netnography method. Netnography is a research method that aims to understand participants' experiences and perspectives in depth by examining content shared in online communities and social media platforms. The study reveals how the touristic experiences of Deyrulzafaran Monastery are perceived by examining visitor comments on TripAdvisor. As a result of the content analysis, the experiences of visitors to Deyrulzafaran Monastery were determined as six components. These components; unforgettable experience, satisfaction, intention to recommend and revisit, historical experience, cultural learning experience, gastronomic experience and guide features. This netnographic analysis aims to contribute to a better understanding of visitor experiences of cultural and historical sites and the development of tourism management strategies. Especially in the digital age, analyzing visitor feedback provides important information on how tourism destinations can adapt to meet visitor expectations.

Life Cycle Cost Analysis and Deterioration Patterns of Limestone Paving

Stone is a durable and high-performance paving material in standard and in intensive service regimes. Stone is thus a preferable material for sidewalk and promenade paving under intensive service regimes, such as touristic promenades and historic sites. Recent studies on the weathering and degradation of stones in buildings have revealed differing analytical approaches among geologists, geo-engineers, and civil engineers. The present research aims to develop a structured analytical–empirical methodology for the assessment of stone pedestrian pavements’ life cycle and life cycle costs. This study presents an integrated methodology that combines diagnostic field surveys, core laboratory tests, and the characterization of deterioration patterns. This approach allows for evaluating how faulty construction methods impact the durability and degradation of natural stone pedestrian pavements. It also assesses their effect on the pavement’s life cycle and associated costs. The diagnostic field survey concentrates on specific construction details, including: (a) Cracks in the paving stones. (b) Peeling of stone layers. (c) Subsidence and cracking at the paving edges. (d) Cracking of filler materials in joints between stone slabs. The laboratory tests focus on five core physical properties for the stone deterioration: (1) apparent density, (2) Water absorption, (3) Compressive strength, (4) Flexural strength, and (5) Abrasion resistance. This study proposes linear and exponential patterns for deterioration. A case study carried out on a Capernaum promenade revealed excessive deterioration patterns caused by the poor core properties of the paving stone and defective construction. The consequences of excessive deterioration on life cycle costs result in additional expenses of 73%, indicating a reduction in the life cycle. The novelty of this research lies in developing and delivering an integrated methodology that enables the assessment of how defective construction methods impact the durability, deterioration, life cycle, and life cycle costs of natural stone pedestrian pavements.

The Aesthetics of Jordanian Place in the Novel The Flood Notebooks by Jordanian Writer Samiha Khrais

This research studied and analyzed the aesthetics of the Jordanian place in the novel The Flood Notebooks by the Jordanian writer Samiha Khrais. The importance of this novel lies in the fact that it is a social-historical novel that depicts a Jordanian place in the 1930s. Its writer was able to combine truth with imagination to present an artistic work whose events are derived from history, yet it is not a historical document; rather, it is a work of art, and the writer excelled in its construction. The two researchers studied the place in this novel within the framework of specific dualities of both the historical and contemporary place, the open and closed place, and the real and symbolic place. The study of duality, or opposites, is at the heart of the structural studies of meaning, which took as its starting point the duality of phenomena, claiming that it is a characteristic of human thought. However, the present study will not stop at these dualities alone; rather, it will benefit from the current semiotics due to the interest they provide in structure and meaning and the ability to interpret texts according to the context in which they appear.

Correlation of Seismic Data and Sediment Cores From the Seabed in the Medieval Harbour at Avaldsnes, Norway

ABSTRACTThis interdisciplinary study demonstrates the successful integration of non‐destructive geophysical methods and sediment core analyses for mapping the seabed in the historical harbour at Avaldsnes in south‐west Norway. In the Medieval Period, this was a royal manor, with the harbour as a central hub for the Hanseatic League in the 14th to 15th centuries. The use of an Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) mounted with two distinct sub‐bottom profiler (SBP) systems facilitated the acquisition of high‐resolution seismic data, providing efficient imaging of the seafloor and subsurface layers. Sequence of fifteen sediment cores allowed for the description and dating of stratigraphy and the depositional environment. In combination, these methods provided a multidimensional understanding of the distribution of subsea sediments in the harbour, while preserving most of the archaeological context. The analysis revealed organic‐rich sediments, primarily consisting of fine detritus gyttja, accumulated over the last 1700 years, trapping certain archaeological features. Deposition of the soft sediments likely commenced due to a lower relative sea level, possibly accompanied by intensified land‐use and harbour activity. The study identified several minor anomalies in the seismic data, potentially representing artefacts of archaeological importance. An anomaly of significant size might correspond to a buried shipwreck or harbour structure. By providing a comprehensive understanding of sediment dynamics and human‐environment interactions in the harbour, the research contributes to the preservation and management of an important cultural heritage site.

Wildlife Tourism and Climate Change: Perspectives on Maasai Mara National Reserve

The impact of climate change on nature-based tourism is gaining significance. This study evaluated the impacts of climate change and tourism stakeholders’ perspectives on the subject in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and World Heritage Site. Surveys and interviews were used to collect data. The main climate-related threats to tourism were heavy rain, floods, and extreme droughts. These events adversely impacted infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and accommodation facilities, and outdoor tourism activities, such as game viewing, cultural tours, birdwatching, and hot air ballooning. They also exacerbated human–wildlife conflicts. The key challenges identified in dealing with impacts were poor planning, non-prioritizing climate change as a threat, a lack of expertise, inadequate research, and a lack of internal early warning systems. The key recommendations included prioritization of climate change planning, development of internal early warning systems, and building resilience toward climate-related disasters. This study contributes to practice by making recommendations for management and other stakeholders. It also extends the discussions of climate change and tourism to wildlife tourism destinations in Africa.

Mortars in the Archaeological Site of Hierapolis of Phrygia (Denizli, Turkey) from Imperial to Byzantine Age

Hierapolis of Phrygia, an archaeological site in southwestern Turkey, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. During archaeological campaigns, 71 mortar samples from public buildings were collected, dating from the Julio-Claudian to the Middle Byzantine period. The samples were analyzed using a multi-analytical approach including polarized optical microscopy (POM), digital image analysis (DIA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and SEM–EDS to trace the raw materials and understand the evolution of mortar composition and technology over time. During the Roman period, travertine and marble were commonly used in binder production, while marble dominated in the Byzantine period. The aggregates come mainly from sands of the Lycian Nappe and Menderes Massif, with carbonate and silicate rock fragments. Variations in composition, average size and circularity suggest changes in raw material sources in both Roman and Byzantine periods. Cocciopesto mortar was used in water-related structures from the Flavian to the Severan period, but, in the Byzantine period, it also appeared in non-hydraulic contexts. Straw became a common organic additive in Byzantine renders, marking a shift from the exclusively inorganic aggregates of Roman renders. This study illustrates the evolving construction technologies and material sources used throughout the city’s history.

Investigating the collective memory of traditional markets in Downtown Amman

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the collective memory of urban cultural heritage sites for selected traditional markets in Down town Amman city – Jordan. The study also introduces the concepts urban artifacts and architectural archetypes as an urban/architectural framework for investigating the collective memory of traditional markets.Design/methodology/approachThe study followed a qualitative research methodology with a (bottom-up) approach focusing on narrative and structured interviews. The interviews were conducted with 20 participants in each market. This was in addition to archival data collection and site observations.FindingsThe study revealed that the users of the two markets do have a shared collective memory manifested in multiple forms of cultural expressions. It also revealed the significant role of collective memory in fostering recognition of the urban and cultural significance of the two markets in the form of architectural archetypes and urban artifacts.Research limitations/implicationsThe study contributes in further developing the understanding of architectural heritage in the context of collective memory, and understanding architectural heritage in the context of the city through the concept of urban artifacts.Practical implicationsThe study demonstrates that preservation of collective memory can influence people’s attitudes and behaviors as they develop a collective responsibility toward the cultural heritage site.Originality/valueThis is the first focused study to introduce the traditional markets of Downtown Amman within the theoretical framework of collective memory. The study also introduces a new scientific investigation of urban cultural heritage in the context of urban artifacts.

CompARe: Design and Development of a Gamified Augmented Reality Learning Environment for Cultural Heritage Sites

Understanding cultural heritage by visiting cultural sites is vital to individuals and communities across the world. It is, therefore, important to create authentic learning situations where students can experience and meaningfully learn about cultural heritage; however, authentic learning in situ can be a challenge. Learning during educational field trips at cultural sites is often not well supported, while students’ interest and motivation to learn are not always activated, which ultimately impacts the learning experience during the visit. Furthermore, students may be distracted with off-task activities and by the novelty effect of the setting during the field trip and may find it difficult to dedicate themselves to the learning activities. Augmented and virtual reality technologies, and approaches such as gamification, have created new contexts for location-based, technology-enhanced learning, which can help address some of the challenges faced during educational field trips. This paper describes the design and validation of CompARe, a gamified augmented reality learning environment (LE) created to support student learning while visiting a cultural heritage site. The CompARe LE is built around an inquiry-based scenario in which students, working in groups, take on the role of art historians and are asked to date an important wall mosaic by visiting four digital hotspots located throughout the site. CompARe was developed and validated using a design-based methodology. We present two case studies of upper elementary students using CompARe and discuss the affordances and challenges of the learning experience. We conclude with lessons learned about the effectiveness of the CompARe learning approach and discuss future steps.

Adult children's responsiveness to parental needs during the pandemic

AbstractObjectivesGuided by the life‐course principles of linked lives embedded in historical time and place, we investigated whether nonresident adult children provided financial and time assistance to parents in response to their needs during the COVID‐19 pandemic.BackgroundAdult children are an important source of support for older adults during crises, yet their ability to help parents may have been constrained during the pandemic.MethodData were extracted from the 2016, 2018, and 2020 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. We employed three analytic strategies. First, we examined how nonresident adult children responded to parental needs during the pandemic. Second, we compared the financial and time assistance received during the pandemic with earlier periods. Third, we assessed whether support patterns varied depending on the severity of the pandemic in places where parents lived. All analyses used linear probability models, adjusting for pre‐pandemic characteristics.ResultsParents facing economic hardship more often received money help and those experiencing difficulty buying food for nonfinancial reasons more often received time help from adult children compared to those without such challenges. Moreover, both financial and time assistance from adult children increased during the pandemic compared to pre‐pandemic levels. Hardships increased the probability of receiving money and time help from adult children when parents lived in areas with a high level of pandemic severity.ConclusionAdult children became more responsive to parental needs during the COVID‐19 pandemic, underscoring the importance of linked lives across generations during times of crisis.

Conservation units and the origin of planted individuals of an endangered endemic species Lobelia boninensis in the Ogasawara Islands

The Ogasawara Islands, one of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site located about 1000 km south of Japan’s main island, harbor numerous endemic species, many of which are as endangered. One of the endemic plant species, Lobelia boninensis, found in the Mukojima, Chichijima, and Hahajima archipelagoes, is endangered due to predation. As part of conservation efforts, translocation is now underway, especially on Chichijima. However, we lack essential information, such as the genetic population structure, to develop appropriate translocation strategies for both wild and planted individuals. Here, we aimed to identify the conservation units and the origin of planted individuals by estimating the genetic population structure and phylogenetic relationships across all habitats of this species. We identified two distinct genetic clusters, indicating genetic differentiation between the northern and southern populations. The genetic population components detected at an isolated site on Chichijima showed a mixture of these distinct clusters, probably due to hybridization. The transplanted individuals in Chichijima were found to have originated from a population in Hahajima. These results suggest the presence of two distinct conservation units. Furthermore, the current translocation strategy poses a risk of genetic contamination between these units, highlighting the need for revised conservation management practices.

Sustainable Strategy toward Community Life Satisfaction in Heritage Tourism

This research aims to form a model strategy for community life satisfaction by developing sustainable tourism in cultural heritage sites. This research used mixed method: qualitative method by in-depth interviews with four respondents from local communities, MSMEs, Kawasan Cagar Budaya Nasional (KCBN) Muaro Jambi, government involved in heritage site tourism activities and analyzed using QDA Miner. The quantitative method was by distributing questionnaires using purposive sampling to 200 respondents, and data were processed using SmartPLS to build a holistic model of community life satisfaction in heritage sites. The results of this research are: firstly, social culture and urban landscapes contribute to community satisfaction; secondly, social culture and urban landscape have a significant positive influence on sustainable tourism; thirdly, through sustainable tourism, community life satisfaction will be formed. This research has relevant implications for providing a deeper understanding of the impact of sustainable tourism in improving community life satisfaction in heritage sites by integrating natural values and urban landscape and empowering the local community.

Land Use Legacy Landforms at the UNESCO Heritage Site Tarnowskie Góry, Upper Silesia, Poland—Stratigraphy, Soils and Age

ABSTRACTMetallurgy in Upper Silesia (Poland) has a long tradition of international significance, which was emphasized in 2017 when the historic silver mine in Tarnowskie Góry was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area consists of various anthropogenic landforms, the stratigraphy of which has hardly been studied so far. In this study, we describe five main morphological units: Unit I (RCH) and Unit II (RCH pit), resulting from charcoal production; Unit III (shaft) and Unit IV (shaft heap), resulting from mining; and Unit V (reference forest soil). The first four units are a variation of a Technosol with inherently different properties from the reference forest soil. Unit I exhibits typical properties of a relict charcoal hearth (RCH), whereas Unit II resembles a pit. Unit III consists of a mostly infilled mining shaft remain (MSR), characterized by relocated subsoil. Unit IV consists of material from the adjacent Unit III that has been dumped directly aside. The studied RCH was used no earlier than during the second half of the 17th century, probably between 1725 and 1813. The studied MSR was used most likely between the 3rd and 5th centuries, which is much older than described so far. Together, the units reflect the characteristic heterogeneity of soils in shaft mining and RCH areas.

Exploring Vrindavan through Krishna

India is a land brimming with diverse cultures and historical places. Bhakti and devotion bear an important place within the Indian culture. Myths and mythology have been passed orally from one generation to another. Vrindavan is also one of such places which is surrounded by myth and mythology. Vrindavan has emerged as a place of popular pilgrimage and devotion in the recent centuries which has caused an increase in the circulation of myths related to this place. Krishna is deeply associated with Vrindavan and has thus become synonymous with the town. The current paper focuses on these myths which have prevailed in and around Vrindavan and Krishna for centuries and how new myths are being created in order to cater to the demands of the contemporary era. The paper also explores the role of Krishna in the development and decline of Vrindavan as a cultural and bhakti capital. The paper aims to explore the prevalent myths which have been acclimatized over the time around Vrindavan and Krishna and how this has led to the popularisation of Vrindavan as a mythical and miraculous place.