Search Results (646)

As a form of living heritage, Historic Urban Landscapes (HULs) have long been limited by the static perspectives and reductionist tendencies of conventional conservation and research approaches. Although the geological and archaeological concept of “stratification” offers a methodological basis for understanding the diachronic evolution of heritage, its unidimensional temporal lens fails to capture the inherent complexity and systemic nature of historic urban landscapes. To address this gap, this study proposes a “multidimensional stratification” theoretical framework through theoretical critique and paradigm reconstruction. The framework introduces innovations at the ontological, epistemological, and methodological levels, positing that the evolution of historic urban landscapes emerges from the nonlinear interaction and dynamic interweaving of four core dimensions: time, space, society, and value. It further systematizes five intrinsic attributes of such landscapes: authenticity, integrity, continuity, adaptability, and dynamism. Building on this foundation, the paper constructs a systematic analytical pathway—elements–processes–patterns–modes–drivers–characteristics—that enables dynamic analysis from micro-level identification to macro-level generalization, offering a scalable tool for HUL conservation and regeneration. To demonstrate the framework’s applicability, the historic urban area of Shenyang—a nationally designated historical and cultural city—is selected as a case study. Its urban landscape comprises four core districts: the Shengjing City District, the South Manchuria Railway Concession District, the Commercial Port District, and the Tiexi Industrial District, representing historical strata from the Qing dynasty capital, modern colonial planning, commercial opening, to industrial heritage. Using the multidimensional stratification approach, this study elucidates the spatial complexity, temporal nonlinearity, social dynamism, and value pluralism embedded in Shenyang’s historic urban area. Corresponding conservation strategies grounded in holism, dynamism, and differentiation are proposed. The research not only advances the theoretical understanding of HUL but also provides a novel paradigm—integrating holistic, dynamic, and operational perspectives—for the conservation, renewal, and regenerative practice of historic urban landscapes worldwide. Full article

The archaeological remains of the Roman villa at Madonna del Piano are situated at the foot of the hill on which the municipality of Castro dei Volsci (Italy) now stands. This crucial region guarantees access to the coastal areas and is situated between the Via Latina and the Amaseno Valley. The first signs of the existence of archaeological structures can be seen in several historic aerial images, where anomalies are readily visible. The remnants of an imperial-era villa with varying periods of occupation were discovered during excavations carried out between the mid-1980s and the early 1990s. These remnants can now be identified in three distinct complexes that were previously linked as a component of a single complex. Given the site’s importance, a research project based on numerous studies and multi-scale approaches was launched in 2024 to collect new data and fill any knowledge gaps. The technique focused on the villa and its surroundings using LiDAR scans, geophysical prospections, 3D surveys of visible structures, archival research, and historical aerial photogrammetry. The findings provide new insight into the settlement by clarifying and elucidating its structure, relationships, and roles of the three complexes, and placing the results within a broader geographical context. Full article

Heritage Science generates vast quantities of heterogeneous data; however, the absence of a shared semantic framework frequently results in fragmented knowledge and compromised reproducibility. This paper introduces CRMhs, an ontology developed as a formal extension of the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM), designed to harmonise the documentation of scientific investigations within the cultural heritage domain. By defining specialised classes for scientific activities, study objects and analytical datasets, the model ensures a robust chain of provenance from initial physical sampling to final interpretative outcomes. The efficacy of CRMhs is evidenced in this paper through two archaeological case studies, illustrating how CRMhs enables the integration of diverse analytical data into a coherent and navigable knowledge graph. Broader applications, including the integration of environmental data and its use within Reactive Heritage Digital Twin frameworks, are outlined as ongoing developments. In this way, the model facilitates seamless data interoperability, and it bridges scientific evidence, art-historical and archaeological interpretation, supporting a more integrated approach to the preservation and understanding of cultural heritage. Full article

This work presents the results of an archaeometric research study of the geomaterials used in the construction of the Late Antique wall of Emerita Augusta (currently Mérida, Spain). Dated to the 5th century C.E., this structure belongs to one of the best-preserved historical ensembles in Europe. In-depth knowledge of the geomaterials used in this ancient wall is essential for ensuring reliable restoration strategies and the successful long-term conservation of this monument. To this end, a rigorous sampling procedure was conducted in areas containing original archaeological remains. Samples were characterized using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), thermogravimetry and differential thermal analyses (TGA-DTA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This integrated multi-analytical approach is highly effective for the study of built heritage. The mineralogical, textural, and geochemical properties of the granites allowed for the identification of the granite types used in the wall, while the results obtained for the mortars indicated that lime, fully carbonated and transformed into calcite, was used as the binding agent. Furthermore, the binder/aggregate ratios were found to be consistent with traditional Roman mortar formulations. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the material provenance and construction techniques used in this landmark of late antiquity. Full article

Archaeological sites present critical issues related to fragmented documentation systems, the difficulty of integrating stratigraphic analyses with three-dimensional survey data, and the lack of digital tools capable of connecting scientific documentation, conservation needs, and public dissemination. This study proposes an integrated digital workflow for the archaeological park of Aeclanum, in which reality-based multi-scale survey data are transformed into an HBIM model structured through stratigraphic interpretation, material analysis, and semantically organised information. The resulting three-dimensional dataset supports the subsequent Scan-to-BIM process, ensuring consistency between the digital representation and the existing remains. Within this framework, the HBIM model is conceived not only as a geometric representation of the current state, but also as an information environment incorporating data on construction techniques, materials, and decay conditions, thus providing a basis for conservation-oriented assessment and future intervention priorities. At the same time, the model supports digital reconstruction hypotheses consistent with archaeological evidence, later developed within an immersive environment that allows visitors to compare the present condition of the site with its reconstructed historical configuration. The workflow highlights the potential of HBIM as an interface between survey, knowledge organisation, conservation support, and digital enhancement. Full article

The National Park Service conducted an amphibious battlefield survey in 2023 of the Agat and Asan Beach Units of War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Guam. This exploratory project used a multidisciplinary approach to further understanding of the 1944 Battle of Guam, one of the most significant invasions of the Pacific Theater during World War II. As part of the project, the team located and documented blast features created by U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Teams during the removal of obstacles placed on and near the landing beaches by the Japanese as deterrents. The discovery of these blast features was guided by archival research and documented through photogrammetry, bathymetry, and RTK GNSS surveys. The blast features represent intentional modification to the seafloor and were examined in archaeological and ecological contexts. This article discusses the discovery and documentation of the blast features, the long-lasting impact of World War II on the island, the value of integrating cultural and natural resource studies, and implications for maritime heritage research and management. This article concludes with considerations for future directions for archaeological and multidisciplinary research focused on seafloor modification. Full article

The town of Guano, located in the province of Chimborazo, Ecuador, is a canton renowned for its concentration of cultural expressions related to traditional artisanal techniques, such as the production of garments and leather goods, tanning, textile weaving, products made from cabuya or totora reeds, and knotted rugs. These artisanal practices are embedded in a long-standing historical and symbolic framework, linked to processes of cultural transmission and identity reinterpretation. Furthermore, Guano has been a pivotal site in Ecuadorian archaeological history thanks to the studies of Jacinto Jijón y Caamaño (1927), who identified six cultural phases of the Puruhá culture through ceramic and stratigraphic analysis. The province has earned recognition as the “Cradle of Ecuadorian Nationality” due to its valuable archaeological heritage. However, much of the interpretation of this legacy has been constructed from colonial-era archaeological approaches, which have limited the understanding of the Puruhá worldview and generated interpretive shifts in the cultural attribution of its iconography. This research analyzes, from a semiotic and decolonial perspective, the semiotic codes present in the iconography of the Puruhá culture, observable in archaeological ceramic pieces and their reinterpretation in the Guano rugs, understood as living cultural artifacts. The analysis of the denotative and connotative levels of the graphic motifs integrates the iconographic study, Andean fractal design, and the examination of contemporary artisanal discourses. The results demonstrate the existence of a structured symbolic system, based on principles of duality, complementarity, cyclicality, and the tripartite division of the cosmos, as well as the persistence of patterns such as spirals and zoomorphic figures in current textile production. The study identifies that, despite this symbolic continuity, those who possess this knowledge often attribute these symbols to external cultural frameworks, primarily the Inca culture, which limits their potential as a resource for identity, culture, and tourism. In this sense, the research provides a situated and non-hegemonic interpretive framework that contributes to the cultural reinterpretation of the Guano knotted carpets, offering input for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, strengthening local identity, and designing sustainable cultural interpretation strategies. Full article

The Nile River has played a central role in Egypt’s historical and cultural development, shaping ancient civilizations and settlement patterns. However, its course has changed dynamically over millennia, leaving behind buried channels and geomorphological features that are critical for reconstructing past hydrological landscapes. This study utilized Sentinel-2 satellite imagery within Google Earth Engine to develop a remote sensing method for analyzing spectral and temporal variations in vegetation as indicators of paleofluvial landforms and past river activity. The approach, applied to create ten seasonal representations, enhanced the detection of moisture-driven vegetation patterns. Here, the Moisture-Gradient Enhanced Vegetation Index (MGEVI) was developed to identify stable vegetated landforms and differentiate persistent moisture conditions from seasonal variations. Through this method, former river channels, river islands, and channel belts were identified, revealing patterns of past river activities. The results suggest a late anabranching phase of the Nile, characterized by the gradual stabilization of fluvial features in response to evolving hydrological conditions. A comparison between fluvial features identified through remote sensing and those mapped from TanDEM-X radar elevation data and historical maps revealed strong agreement, affirming the reliability of the remote sensing approach developed by this study. Evidence from sediment core analyses, stratigraphic correlation, and high-precision RTK field surveys further corroborated the existence of ancient, buried channels and islands within the study area. The study highlights the utility of multi-temporal satellite imagery analysis for reconstructing hydrological evolution and assessing past settlement suitability. Specifically, an inferred paleochannel near the Dendera Temple Complex suggests a possible hydrological connection between a former course of the Nile River and this archaeological site. These findings underscore the potential of remote sensing for large-scale geoarchaeological studies, offering scalable methodologies for identifying ancient river networks and supporting cultural heritage conservation in arid regions. Full article

The development of digital technology offers unprecedented opportunities in the documentation, conservation, and interpretation of cultural heritage. Due to its high precision, efficiency, and visualization, this technology provides innovative ways for people to interact with heritage sites. However, its dramatic development introduces several problems, including systematic deficiencies in high-precision data acquisition, difficulties in effectively integrating multi-source heterogeneous data, and an inability to reconstruct context during the digital restoration of heritage. Thus, this research proposes a framework of digital re-contextualization, reintegrating the lost physical space, visual information, and mental experience into a coherent whole through triangulation comparison, interpretive restoration, and experiential virtual reconstruction. Taking the Dingjiazha M5 Muraled Tomb as a case study, this article details how this framework was applied to systematically consolidate the archaeological literature and material-sourced spatial data to construct a reliable and verifiable digital replica of the in situ heritage site. This framework shifts the focus from mere data documentation to knowledge production and experiential reconstruction, ensuring the scientific integrity of the restoration and allowing more members of the public to access the heritage site. It also demonstrates how lost historical spaces can be reborn in the digital realm in a way that is both responsible and rich with interpretive depth. Full article

Archaeological reports show that about 70% of Han dynasty pictorial stone sites feature historical figures, revealing a significant yet understudied aspect of tomb ritual practice (muji yishi). This study examines how these depictions may reflect ritual characteristics and their relationship to temple ritual practice (miaoji yishi). From the Qin to Han period (221 BCE–220 CE), tomb and temple rituals increasingly converged; temple rituals were sometimes performed by tombs, and the imagery incorporated cosmological models alongside representations of daily life, including clothing, diet, dwellings, and mobility. The historical figures depicted can be grouped into three categories: emperors and sages, loyal ministers and righteous heroes, and filial sons and chaste women. These figures were closely associated with ideals of transcendence and immortality, suggesting a ritual framework that connected temple and tomb practices, with emperors and sages appearing most frequently, accounting for about 80% of the depictions. Notably, these images occur predominantly in commoners’ tombs (approximately 95%), where fewer social restrictions may have allowed greater creative freedom. While research on tomb ritual practices has traditionally relied on textual sources, the present study emphasizes archaeological evidence, offering an analytical perspective on the relationship between temple and tomb rituals in Han funeral art and highlighting their potential role in shaping Han ritual logic and religious expression. Full article

Teaching biblical history and biblical archaeology to undergraduates presents distinctive pedagogical challenges. Unlike graduate students, undergraduates often enroll with limited historical literacy, minimal exposure to ancient Near Eastern history, and religiously shaped assumptions about the Bible that have not been examined critically. At the same time, the cursory treatment of the biblical world in standard Western Civilization textbooks leaves many students without adequate chronological and historical frameworks. Presenting undergraduates with the complex historiographic issues innate to the field is problematic, as it can lead to alienation or even challenges to faith. This essay argues that instructors must be clear about their approaches and keep the distinction between teaching religion and teaching about the Bible as a historical document explicit, while acknowledging the diverse backgrounds with which students enter the classroom. The article uses several examples (including approaches to the Exodus narrative) to demonstrate how scholarship can be presented responsibly. The essay also addresses disciplinary and terminological complications. Full article

The Beiyue Temple in Quyang County, Hebei Province, served as the host temple for worshipping the Northern Peak Deity (Beiyue shen) from its establishment during the reign of Emperor Xuanwu (483–515) of Northern Wei until the reign of Emperor Shunzhi (1638–1661) of the Qing dynasty. The temple currently houses over 200 inscribed stone steles that predate the founding of the Republic of China in 1912. This study addresses how the sacrificial space inside the Beiyue Temple evolved and transformed. By examining historical and archaeological evidence—including archival documents, epigraphic texts, diagrams, and architectural remnants—and focusing on the ‘front altar, rear garden’, the ‘hall for presenting sacrificial offerings of the common people’, and the ‘overhanging eave’, it demonstrates that the temple’s ritual space developed a dual character shaped by both official and folk practices. This duality reflects the interaction between official and folk practices against the backdrop of ‘the downward diffusion of ritual norms’ (lizhi xiayi) from the Tang and Song dynasties onwards. The findings challenge the conventional view that there was no specific space for folk ritual worship inside state-sanctioned temples during the Northern Song dynasty. It also provides vital evidence for the historical development of the sacrificial hall (xiandian) and the layout of pavilion-style stages (wuting) immediately in front of the main hall in temples built during the Song and Jin dynasties. Full article

This study presents a systematic review of Social Network Analysis (SNA) applications in Egyptology, examining methodological developments, current achievements, and future research directions. Despite Egypt’s exceptional documentary legacy spanning three millennia—administrative papyri, diplomatic correspondence, and prosopographical inscriptions—Egyptology has adopted network analytical methods more slowly than other archaeological disciplines. The review evaluates existing research across major historical periods, assessing methodological approaches and contributions to understanding Egyptian administrative structures, elite strategies, and social organization. Critical gaps identified include limited coverage of the Late Period, insufficient attention to economic and religious networks, minimal focus on gender and household-level analysis, and geographic concentration in Upper Egypt. The review also identifies methodological challenges specific to Egyptian sources: temporal depth, hierarchical social structures, preservation biases, and integration of diverse evidence types. Priority areas for development include large-scale collaborative projects, computational relationship extraction from digitised sources, and temporal network analysis capitalising on Egypt’s exceptional chronological span. The field stands at a critical juncture where coordinated development could transform understanding of ancient Egyptian society while contributing to broader archaeological network science. Full article

Underwater cultural heritage represents a fragile and largely unexplored component of historical landscapes, particularly in dynamic fluvial and coastal environments. Despite increasing international attention to its protection, the spatial identification of submerged heritage remains methodologically challenging. This study proposes a geo-historical approach that integrates historical cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify areas of high archaeological potential in underwater contexts. Focusing on the Douro River in Porto (Portugal), a UNESCO World Heritage city with a long maritime and fluvial history, the research analyses a set of key historical maps from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, complemented by documentary and archaeological sources. These cartographic materials were georeferenced and critically assessed in QGIS, enabling the digitisation of features associated with land–water interaction, navigation hazards, port infrastructures, and military defences. The resulting spatial dataset was used to generate an interpretative map and a kernel density model highlighting potential underwater heritage hotspots along the riverbed and riverbanks. The findings identify several priority zones, including the river mouth, historic quays, former shipbuilding areas, and sectors linked to nineteenth-century defensive structures. While the study does not include in situ verification, it demonstrates the value of historical maps as predictive tools for guiding targeted underwater surveys and proposes a transferable, cost-effective framework for heritage prospection and management in historically active fluvial–estuarine settings. Full article

Dispersed archaeological landscapes are often rich in heritage value but weakly integrated into regional tourism systems. This creates difficulties in visitor orientation, interpretive continuity, and conservation-sensitive tourism planning. In response to this problem, this study examines the Adana–Kozan–Anavarza axis in southern Türkiye and proposes a spatial corridor framework for organising tourism development within a dispersed archaeological landscape. The research integrates spatial accessibility assessment, service-capacity evaluation, field observation, and sequential route design in order to establish a hierarchical gateway–transition–anchor configuration. Anavarza, one of the largest archaeological complexes of Cilicia, represents a monumental urban heritage site and a biocultural landscape situated within a Mediterranean ecological zone historically associated with Pedanius Dioscorides. Although current visitor volumes remain moderate, official statistics indicate a substantial increase in annual entries between 2022 and 2024, reflecting rising destination visibility. This emerging growth trajectory underscores the need for proactive spatial governance mechanisms prior to the onset of congestion and environmental degradation pressures. The findings suggest that Adana can function as a metropolitan gateway, Kozan as an intermediate staging node, and Anavarza as the archaeological anchor within a realistic multi-day visitor sequence. In this configuration, visitor functions are distributed across multiple nodes, while the ecological and archaeological sensitivity of the anchor landscape is more cautiously managed through spatial sequencing. Rather than proposing a predictive model, the study develops and assesses a context-responsive spatial planning framework grounded in accessibility, infrastructural feasibility, and conservation-sensitive visitor distribution. Beyond the local case, the study offers a transferable hierarchical staging logic for corridor-based heritage planning. Full article