Resumo Este artigo tem como objetivo descrever e analisar o processo de preservação e de refuncionalização do patrimônio industrial do Vale do Ruhr a partir de uma pesquisa de campo realizada na região entre outubro de 2023 e julho de 2024. Para tal finalidade, iniciaremos contextualizando o processo de industrialização e de desindustrialização ocorridos nos últimos 150 anos, no Vale do Ruhr, demonstrando suas conexões com a urbanização da área, bem como com a construção de uma identidade coletiva local fundamentada na memória do passado mineiro e industrial. Em seguida, demonstraremos como ocorreu o processo político e econômico que levou à formação da Rota do Patrimônio Industrial do Ruhr, um conjunto de espaços industriais de interesse histórico agora protegidos e reconvertidos a novas finalidades. 202 2024 finalidade 15 anos área seguida finalidades 20 1 2

Abstract This article aims to describe and analyze the process of preservation and repurposing of industrial heritage in the Ruhr Valley based on field research conducted in the region between October 2023 and July 2024. To achieve this, we will begin by contextualizing the industrialization and deindustrialization process that has been occurring over the last century and a half in the Ruhr Valley. We will demonstrate its connections with the urbanization of the area and the construction of a local collective identity grounded on the memory of the mining and industrial past. Then, we will explore the political and economic processes that led to the formation of the Ruhr Industrial Heritage Route, a collection of industrial sites of historical interest now protected and repurposed. 202 2024 this past Then Route repurposed 20 2

Abstract Since the peopling of the Pampean region, in the center of the Tandilia ranges, hunter- gatherer groups produced numerous indigenous quarries where different kind of rocks were used until the European conquest. Later, with the foundation of the nearby towns, these spaces continued to serve both as sites for artisanal craftsmanship and as integral components of agricultural and livestock exploitation. Throughout history, we recognize continuity in some of the ways of inhabiting the hilly landscape that involve continuities. However, contemporary uses characterized by differing scales and based on other logics of landscape appropriation, impact and pose important threats to the archaeological sites and their inherent heritage. In this paper, we describe the indigenous quarries of central Tandilia as persistent places exploring some aspects of their social construction through time. In this sense, we hope to contribute to the discussions about their usage and regulation and promote inclusive dialogues with different social sectors to encourage their preservation.

Resumen Desde los primeros momentos del poblamiento humano de la región Pampeana, en el sector serrano del centro de Tandilia, los grupos cazadores-recolectores generaron numerosas canteras indígenas. En ellas, se aprovecharon distintas rocas hasta tiempos previos a la conquista. Posteriormente, desde la fundación de los pueblos serranos, estos espacios se continuaron utilizando tanto para el trabajo artesanal de canteo como enmarcados en la explotación agrícola-ganadera. A lo largo de la historia reconocemos ciertas formas de habitar el paisaje serrano que involucran continuidades. No obstante, otros usos actuales, de escala diferente, y enmarcados en otras lógicas de apropiación del paisaje, impactan y ponen en riesgo a los sitios arqueológicos y su patrimonio. En este trabajo describimos los espacios de canteras indígenas del centro de Tandilia como lugares persistentes con el fin de desarrollar algunos aspectos en torno a su construcción social a lo largo del tiempo. En este sentido, esperamos aportar a las discusiones respecto a sus usos y regulación y propiciar diálogos con diversos sectores sociales tendientes a favorecer su preservación.

Abstract This paper reviews some design experiences on important archaeological heritage sites. The analysis is focused on three main projects which are significant for contemporary architectural practice on historical and archeological heritage. These are design interventions characterized by a common basic idea that we could summarize as a design vision in continuity with the pre-existence; a methodological approach away from the concepts of imitation or opposition is used. The first project deals with the long and complex recovery of an ancient monastery dated from the 15th century that had undergone substantial functional transformations and abandonments throughout centuries leading to the ruin of part of it. The other two interventions are focused on very distinctive archaeological areas: (1) the Archaeological Area and Antiquarium of Tindari in Sicily; (2) the Imperial Forums in Rome. The attempt was to find design solutions allowing the re-establishment of new relationships with the ancient that would enhance the intrinsic qualities of the archaeological contexts.

Resumen Se exponen aquí algunas experiencias de diseño sobre importantes sitios de patrimonio arqueológico. El análisis se centra en tres grandes proyectos significativos para la práctica arquitectónica contemporánea sobre el patrimonio histórico-arqueológico. Se trata de intervenciones proyectuales caracterizadas por una idea común que podríamos sintetizar en una visión de proyecto en continuidad con la preexistencia, utilizando un enfoque metodológico alejado de los conceptos de imitación u oposición. El primer proyecto se refiere a la larga y compleja recuperación de un antiguo convento del siglo XV, que había sufrido importantes transformaciones funcionales y abandono a lo largo de los siglos hasta determinar su ruina. Las otras dos intervenciones se refieren a zonas arqueológicas muy diferentes: (1) la Zona Arqueológica y Antiquarium de Tindari, en Sicilia; (2) los Foros Imperiales de Roma. Se intentó encontrar soluciones proyectuales para restablecer nuevas relaciones con lo antiguo que realzaran las cualidades intrínsecas de los contextos arqueológicos.

Caves are ecosystems and natural heritage sites with magnificent biological diversity, from microorganisms to animals, despite their selective environment for development and survival. Until now, studies on cave microbiomes have included taxonomic classification through metagenomics analysis, demonstrating microbiological heterogeneity mainly composed of prokaryotic organisms or bacteria species. The generally oligotrophic environment, with limited energy input and dark zone, is the main feature differentiating the cave microorganisms from the other microbiomes and resulting in a unique habitat, which has unexplored regard to biology and chemical diversity. Multi-omics integration is a key strategy for scanning and integrating the macro and micromolecular universe, providing a better comprehension of processes and answers of the microbiome in natural cavities. Here, we highlight the strategies employed to study the cave microbiome, from the microbial genomes to their ability to secondary metabolites production, and also the multi-omics integration to explore the chemical and biological diversity in caves. animals survival now analysis species zone habitat Multiomics Multi omics universe cavities Here production multiomics multi caves

Abstract: The Kazakh national memory faced suppression during the 70 years of Soviet rule, leading to a risk of partial loss of national cultural heritage. In this period, Soviet policies often discouraged practices, such as visiting sacred places, a tradition integral to honoring ancestors and perpetuating national memory. Prior to this, during the Russian colonial period, similar policies served as a deterrent to these cultural expressions. It is important to differentiate between the Russian colonial policies pre-Soviet rule and the Soviet policies thereafter, although both had an impact on Kazakh national traditions. When Kazakhstan became independent, the lost historical memory was restored by space ideology formation and was a spontaneous “national canonization”. The initiators of the memory place renovation in the country, including sacred sites, were the holy ancestors’ and patriotic citizens’ descendants. In 2017, the state adopted the Rukhani Zhangyru program aimed at the restoration of historical places, which have the potential to national consciousness growth and national unification around living history. In this regard, the main scope of this work is to study the growth points of a new space ideology in Kazakhstan’s cultural landscape. The authors propose a classification of sacred place types, which shall contribute to the unification of all national identification layers into a single whole. Abstract 7 heritage period practices places expressions preSoviet pre thereafter traditions independent canonization. canonization . canonization” country sites citizens descendants 2017 history regard Kazakhstans s landscape types whole 201 20 2

Resumo: A memória nacional do Cazaquistão caiu no esquecimento, durante os 70 anos de regime soviético, o que levou à ameaça de perda parcial do patrimônio cultural nacional. A política colonial russa impediu a visita a lugares sagrados, como tradição, para honrar os antepassados e perpetuar a memória nacional. Quando o Cazaquistão se tornou independente, a memória histórica perdida foi restaurada pela formação da ideologia espacial e constituiu uma “canonização nacional” espontânea. Os iniciadores da renovação dos lugares de memória no país, incluindo os locais sagrados, foram os descendentes dos antepassados sagrados e os cidadãos patriotas. Em 2017, o Estado adotou o programa Rukhani Zhangyru, que visa à restauração de locais históricos com potencial para o desenvolvimento da consciência nacional e a unificação nacional em torno da história viva. A esse respeito, o principal objetivo deste trabalho é estudar os pontos de crescimento de uma nova ideologia espacial, na paisagem cultural do Cazaquistão. Os autores propõem uma classificação de tipos de lugares sagrados que contribuirá para a unificação de todas as camadas de identificação nacional num único todo. Resumo esquecimento 7 soviético tradição independente canonização espontânea país patriotas 2017 Zhangyru viva respeito todo 201 20 2

Abstract: Hunting is part of the biocultural heritage of the Maya people of the Yucatán Peninsula because it has been part of their strategy of multiple use of resources and their cosmovision since pre-Hispanic times. The study of knowledge and practices on the uses of natural resources can help to improve the resilience of biological and human communities to disturbances. The aim of this study was to characterize the biocultural knowledge associated with traditional hunting in the Mayan community of Xul, Yucatán. From September to December 2020, 42 mixed questionnaires and seven semi-structured interviews were applied to local hunters. It was found that 23 species of vertebrates (35 mammals, 6 birds, and 1 reptile) are hunted in Xul and are used mainly for food. The species with higher cultural importance (IIC) were the red brocket deer (Mazama temama), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), and ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata). The dry season is their favorite season for hunting (71.4 %) and hunters prefer the milpa (92.9 %) and forest (83.3 %) as hunting sites. The most practiced techniques are the “batida” (flushing by hunting teams, p’uuj; 92.9 %), “caminar por el monte” (walking through the woods, xíimbal ts’on; 73.8 %), and “lampareo” (hunting with flashlights, ts’on; 69 %). In Xul there are beliefs such as virtues, the owners of animals and the winds (Ik’). These results show the continuity of biocultural knowledge related to hunting and its importance in the management and conservation of wild fauna in rural communities.

Resumen: La cacería es una actividad que forma parte del patrimonio biocultural de los mayas de la Península de Yucatán, ya que desde la época prehispánica ha sido parte de su estrategia de uso múltiple de recursos y su cosmovisión. El estudio de los conocimientos y prácticas sobre el empleo de los recursos naturales puede contribuir a aumentar la resiliencia de las comunidades biológicas y humanas ante las perturbaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar el conocimiento biocultural asociado a la cacería tradicional en la comunidad maya de Xul, Yucatán. Se aplicaron 42 cuestionarios mixtos y siete entrevistas semiestructuradas a cazadores locales entre septiembre y diciembre de 2020. Se reportaron 23 especies de vertebrados que se cazan en Xul (16 mamíferos, 6 aves y 1 reptil) y sus usos. Las especies de mayor importancia cultural (IIC) son el venado cabrito (Mazama temama), el jabalí (Pecari tajacu) y el pavo de monte (Meleagris ocellata). La temporada de sequía es la preferida para cazar (71.4 %) y los sitios son la milpa (92.9 %) y el monte alto (83.3 %). Las técnicas que más se practican son la batida (p’uuj; 92.9 %), caminar por el monte (xíimbal ts’on; 73.8 %) y el lampareo (ts’on; 69 %). En Xul existen creencias en elementos y entidades como las virtudes, los Dueños de los animales y los vientos (Ik’). Estos resultados manifiestan la continuidad e importancia de considerar el conocimiento biocultural sobre la cacería con relación al manejo y conservación de la fauna silvestre en comunidades rurales.

Abstract There is international agreement that photovoltaic energy (PE) is a pillar of the energy transition required to mitigate the effects of global warming. The general objective of this article is to make a first geospatial approximation to estimate the proportion of territory and the amount of electricity feasible to be generated by the photovoltaic process in the state of Sonora. In order to achieve this objective, it is first necessary to determine the most appropriate method for identifying these sites. In the literature, it has been found that the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) is one of the most used methods for the selection of sites for the production of different types of solar energy, mainly photovoltaic (Suprova et al., 2020; Malemnganbi and Shimray, 2020; Al Garni and Awasthi, 2017; Solangi et al., 2019). Where the mixture of GIS and AHP is one of the most appropriate submethods to identify these sites and apply specific conditions to them (Chandio et al., 2012), in this particular case through the application of equations using map algebra to estimate the theoretical electricity production for the entire federal entity with the photovoltaic process. Since Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-AHP allow the spatialization of specific objectives. Therefore, the first task is to spatialize the deterministic variables of the photovoltaic process, as well as the locations where it is not possible to produce this energy. In this case, the meteorological variables were obtained thanks to the data of the CESAVE-SIAFESON weather stations (2020). Due to data availability and consistency issues, a total of 97 stations were used. The stations consist of a number of different climatological gauges. Since these data are geographically punctual, it was necessary to use spatial interpolation techniques to make them continuous. The rest of the selection criteria are obtained from various sources of information. In the case of terrain elevations from the Mexican Continuum of Elevations of INEGI (n.d.), the slope and orientation of the terrain were estimated with the elevation data using the geodetic technique of its respective method in the Arcmap software. The roads were taken from the national road network obtained from INEGI (2020), the corresponding urban and rural areas from INEGI (2016), and the power lines from CENACE (2016). The proximity method used for these three variables was the path-distance method of the Arcmap software. Exclusion criteria were power transmission lines (CENACE, 2016), World Heritage Sites (CONANP, 2021a), protected natural areas (CONANP, 2021), native vegetation and habitats (INEGI, 2017), water bodies (INEGI, 2009), urban and rural spots (INEGI, 2016), social property found in the Sonora cadastral map (INEGI, 2016a), road network (INEGI, 2020c), places with slopes greater than 10 degrees (INEGI, n. f.), and tourist, religious, airport, and other sites (INEGI, 2020c). Thus, we had both the deterministic variables and the locations unsuitable for the installation of solar plants. To identify the relative importance of the deterministic variables, similar studies were used, such as Sanchez-Lozano et al. (2013), Chen et al. (2014), Noorollahi et al. (2016), Zoghi et al. (2017), Doljak and Stanojević (2017), Al Garni and Awasthi (2017) and Doorga et al. (2018). In light of this, the AHP method was applied to the spatial data in order to generate the ranking of sites to achieve the goal of producing electricity through the photovoltaic process. A specific equation using map algebra (Obukhov et al., 2017; Ropp et al., 1997; Faiman, 2008; Huld and Gracia Amillo, 2015) was applied to both the results and the whole of Sonora to estimate the electricity that could be generated using solar panels. It was found that 35.85% of the territory could be used to generate this energy, and that only 0.58% of this territory, corresponding to 1,081 km2, could supply all of Mexico’s electricity consumption in 2020 (Expansión, n.d.). Thus, photovoltaic energy in the country is a fundamental resource with high feasibility to achieve the energy transition.

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Abstract: The objective of this study is to present reasons for archiving websites through use cases of web archives and web archiving. It is characterized as exploratory research that adopts the bibliographic and documentary method based on a literature review on the subject. Content analysis was applied to the review of current national and international scientific productions in Information Science, as well as official websites, policies, and guidelines of web archives around the world. It was concluded that there are broader motivations for institutions to develop web archives, including, among such motivations, the urgency of preserving web content, due to the risk of losing this content, thus safeguarding the digital heritage produced by nations and the countless cases of use of web archives. In addition, however, the issue of legislation is effectively recognized, which can oblige and encourage these initiatives, granting the right and protection of these contents to institutions, delegating the functions of capturing, sheltering, and archiving web materials, whether in the role of a legal depository, aiming to: preserve social memory; or, for regulatory compliance and support in legal proceedings. Understanding the insights provided by web archives justifies, to a certain extent, future financial, political, scientific, etc. investments in digital preservation and web archiving, especially in countries that do not have a national web archive, as in this case from Brazil. Abstract subject Science policies world including content addition however recognized initiatives capturing sheltering materials depository memory or proceedings justifies extent financial political etc archive Brazil

Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo é apresentar razões para se arquivar sites por meio de casos de uso de arquivos da web e de arquivamento da web. Caracteriza-se como uma pesquisa exploratória que adota o método bibliográfico e documental a partir de uma revisão de literatura sobre o assunto. Aplicou-se a análise de conteúdo da revisão de produções científicas atuais nacionais e internacionais da Ciência da Informação, assim como, de sites oficiais, políticas e diretrizes de arquivos da web no mundo. Concluiu-se que há motivações mais abrangentes para que instituições desenvolvam os arquivos da web, incluindo-se, dentre tais motivações, a urgência de se preservar conteúdos web, devido ao risco de perda desse conteúdo, salvaguardando, dessa maneira, o patrimônio digital produzido por nações, e os inúmeros casos de uso dos arquivos da web. Complementarmente, no entanto, reconhece-se, efetivamente, a questão da legislação, que pode obrigar e estimular essas iniciativas, conferindo o direito e a proteção desses conteúdos às instituições, delegando-lhes as funções de captura, abrigo e arquivamento dos materiais web, seja no papel de um depositário legal, visando: preservação da memória social; ou, por conformidade normativa, e apoio em processos judiciais. Entender os insights providos pelos arquivos da web justificam, em certa medida, os futuros investimentos financeiros, políticos, científicos, etc., na preservação digital e arquivamento da web, sobretudo, em países que não detêm um arquivo da web nacional, como no caso do Brasil. Resumo Caracterizase Caracteriza assunto Aplicouse Aplicou Informação oficiais mundo Concluiuse Concluiu incluindose, incluindose incluindo se, incluindo-se salvaguardando maneira nações Complementarmente entanto reconhecese, reconhecese reconhece reconhece-se efetivamente legislação iniciativas delegandolhes delegando lhes captura legal visando social ou normativa judiciais justificam medida financeiros políticos científicos etc etc. sobretudo nacional Brasil

Abstract Here we present the application of participatory cartography as a methodological proposal for the study, analysis and socialization of cultural heritage. We established spaces for dialogue and bonds of trust between the educational community, local referents, municipalities, and the research team in order to prepare a heritage education project from a collaborative and transdisciplinary perspective. From this, different collaborative mapping techniques were developed to identify relevant, significant, and frequented sites which made it possible to recognize the use and appropriation of the territory by secondary school students in the towns of Anjullón, Pinchas (Castro Barros) and Sanagasta, in the northeast of the province of La Rioja (Argentina). In this way, the cartographic practices provided an account of different ways of inhabiting and perceiving both the space and the local cultural heritage. study community referents municipalities perspective relevant significant Anjullón Castro Barros Sanagasta Argentina. Argentina . (Argentina) way (Argentina

Resumen Presentamos la aplicación de la cartografía participativa como propuesta metodológica para el estudio, análisis y socialización del patrimonio cultural. Para ello, se establecieron espacios de diálogo y lazos de confianzas entre la comunidad educativa, referentes locales, municipios y equipo de investigación con el fin de confeccionar un proyecto de educación patrimonial desde una perspectiva colaborativa y transdisciplinar. A partir de esto, se desarrollan diferentes técnicas de cartografía colaborativa para identificar los espacios relevantes, significativos y frecuentados permitiéndonos así reconocer el uso y apropiación del territorio de los estudiantes de las escuelas secundarias de las localidades de Anjullón, Pinchas (Castro Barros) y Sanagasta ubicadas en el extremo nororiental de la provincia de La Rioja (Argentina). De esta manera, las prácticas cartográficas realizadas dieron cuenta de distintas formas de habitar y percibir el espacio y el patrimonio cultural local. estudio ello educativa locales transdisciplinar esto relevantes Anjullón Castro Barros Argentina. Argentina . (Argentina) manera local (Argentina

Abstract This article compiles published materials, activities conducted, and archaeological sites discovered in the Brazilian state of Roraima, presenting the sites known in the state at this time and their status regarding georeferencing and registration in the Integrated Knowledge and Management System (SICG) database of the Brazilian National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN). It also reports on the progress of environmental licensing in the state of Roraima and archaeology in general; the objective is to break the silence which for the past four decades has applied to this Amazonian territory which is simultaneously so rich and yet so poorly studied in terms of archaeology. The chosen methodology was bibliographical research involving internal documents and files from IPHAN’s central office in Roraima, its systems (electronic data system - SEI, SICG, Brazilian National Register of Archaeological Sites - CNSA), and scientific publications. We determined that 81.5% of the sites have some kind of georeferencing and 71.7% are registered in the SICG. As for environmental licensing, actions by IPHAN and interventions by the Federal Public Prosecutor resulted in a record number of Activity Characterization Files in 2022. We can see that there has indeed been some progress in archaeology in the state of Roraima in recent years, despite the slow pace and lack of publicity. materials conducted SICG (SICG IPHAN. . (IPHAN) general IPHANs s electronic SEI CNSA, CNSA , CNSA) publications 815 81 5 81.5 717 71 7 71.7 2022 years publicity (IPHAN 8 81. 71. 202 20 2

Resumo O presente artigo traz um compilado de materiais publicados, atividades realizadas e sítios arqueológicos descobertos em Roraima. Apresenta os sítios conhecidos no estado até o momento e sua situação em relação ao georreferenciamento e ao cadastro junto à base de dados (Sistema Integrado de Conhecimento e Gestão - SICG) do Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN). Também esclarece o andamento do licenciamento ambiental no estado e da arqueologia em geral. O artigo busca romper com a mudez que assola, nos últimos 40 anos, este território amazônico tão rico e, ao mesmo tempo, tão pouco estudado do ponto de vista da arqueologia. A metodologia utilizada foi pesquisa bibliográfica em documentos/arquivos internos da Superintendência do IPHAN em Roraima, em seus sistemas (Sistema Eletrônico de Informações - SEI, SICG e Cadastro Nacional de Sítios Arqueológicos - CNSA) e em publicações científicas. Resulta que 81,5% dos sítios contam com algum tipo de georreferenciamento, e 71,7% estão cadastrados no SICG. No licenciamento ambiental, ações da Superintendência e intervenção do Ministério Público Federal refletiram num recorde de fichas de caracterização de atividades em 2022. É possível perceber que, apesar de pouco divulgado, nos últimos anos houve certo avanço na arqueologia do estado, ainda que esteja caminhando a passos lentos. publicados Roraima Sistema IPHAN. . (IPHAN) geral assola 4 tempo documentosarquivos documentos arquivos SEI CNSA científicas 815 81 5 81,5 717 71 7 71,7 2022 divulgado lentos (IPHAN 8 81, 71, 202 20 2

The Tankwa Karoo forms part of the Nama Karoo Biome, a biologically distinct area and the world's only entirely arid region diversity hotspot. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the preponderance of a specific language of vernacular architecture adds cultural significance to the natural heritage of the Tankwa. The research scope is defined geographically by the limits of the Tankwa Karoo basin, by means of a case study analysis of four sites. Three sites, namely Uintjiesbos, Waaikop and Prambergfontein are located within the Tankwa Karoo National Park and another site, that is Gemsbokfontein is situated on a privately owned farm to the south of the Park. The heritagescape methodology framed the research objective. Dry-packed stone kraals, built by transhumant herders, and later vernacular architecture of adobe and stone with brakdak roofs define a built heritage that provides effective shelter in an arid climate. The study uncovered the intangible cultural heritage embodied in the act of building these structures and concludes this constitutes a living heritage worth preserving in an evolving contemporary society. The craftsmanship of these structures' construction and scheduled maintenance support knowledge of net-zero energy construction methods. The local continuation of this living heritage is at a critical juncture and in need of developmental support. Skills transfer to craftsmen in the Tankwa Karoo is vital for the survival of these structures in the TKNP, currently falling to ruin since they are unoccupied and not maintained. Educational support for the continuation of this living heritage, will reciprocally inform the global body of knowledge for building in dryland environments. The research concludes that the layers of significance of both tangible, natural, and cultural heritage found in the Tankwa Karoo constitutes sufficient criteria for classifying this area as a continuing cultural landscape as defined by the terms of the UNESCO Convention for World Heritage of 1992.

Aeolianites and cemented beach deposits on South Africa's Cape coast preserve evidence of events that transpired on them when they were composed of unconsolidated sand. Over the past decades, numerous Pleistocene vertebrate tracksites have been identified on aeolianite palaeosurfaces in the Garden Route National Park, West Coast National Park, and Addo Elephant National Park. In the Garden Route National Park alone, 57 Pleistocene vertebrate tracksites have been discovered. An equilibrium exists, whereby new sites become exposed through cliff-collapse events, while known sites slump into the ocean, are eroded through the action of wind and water, or are destroyed through wave action. Engraved graffiti poses a further threat. These sites complement the traditional body fossil record, and have significant palaeoenvironmental and palaeoanthropological implications. Hominin sites are of global importance: one contains the oldest tracks attributed to Homo sapiens, others contain patterns made in sand by ancestral humans and constitutes a form of early palaeoart. Collectively, these sites have substantial geoheritage value. The discoveries create management questions: which sites require active management, and how should they be ranked in importance? Factors which need to be considered in developing a management strategy include the scientific and heritage value of the sites, whether recovery or replication is preferable, the presence or absence of suitable repositories, the level of the threat to site integrity, the accessibility of the site, and the feasibility of recovery. Checklists containing appropriate criteria and questions can form tools in assessing the importance of these ichnosites.

The study, conducted within the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (MCL), had two aims: (1) to establish the reasons why domestic tourists, in particular descendants, do not view World Heritage Sites as tourism attractions and (2) to advocate for the importance of engaging the descendants at a spiritual, psychological and emotional level. It adopted a qualitative method, whereby observations and interviews were conducted with traditional leaders of the six groups of the Mapungubwe descendants. Purposive sampling, also known as judgemental, selective or subjective sampling, was applied in the form of in-depth interviews and a group discussion with each leader of the six descendant groups. Only one group opted for a group discussion rather than an individual interview with their leader because they wanted a representation of their Tribal Council members since their Chief had passed away and their new leader was yet to be inaugurated. The study established that (1) descendants do not view MCL as a tourist attraction but rather as a solemn place where their ancestors are laid to rest and (2) descendants are in pain because they lost the land of their forefathers, which was demarcated into farms by the colonial government before being declared as protected areas. The stated findings suggest that losing their forefathers' land led to a sense of loss and disconnection from their cultural and spiritual heritage.

Archaeological research carried out in the Kruger National Park has identified several settlements of early African farmers that date to the Early Iron Age (EIA) - c. AD 200 - AD 1000. Two large EIA settlements, Le6 and Le7, were identified in 1977 on the southern bank of the Letaba River, opposite its confluence with the Tsende. Intermittent excavations of these sites were carried out between 1977 and 1989, but results have remained largely unpublished. These sites, which date back to the ninth century, have been the focus of new and ongoing research since 2021. The research has revealed that these communities were among the very first in the South African interior to participate in trade with the wider Indian Ocean world. This article contextualises the EIA of the Letaba River and surrounds with a specific focus on the history of research at Le6 and Le7 as well as briefly discusses new research at these sites.

Research projects in the Shashe-Limpopo Basin have witnessed significant developments in the use of conceptual frameworks and multidisciplinary approaches such as electrochemical and geochemical sequencing. Accordingly, there is now data to question the widely accepted model for the evolution of Mapungubwe State (AD 1200-1300) which argues that favourable and unfavourable regional climatic weather conditions (wet and dry) lead to the rise and decline of the State. Floodplain agropastoral activities in the middle Limpopo Valley are a widely assumed hypothesis, despite the general absence of relevant chemical signatures and archaeobotanical data. This article discusses soil sequences and chemical analyses (Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy and Redox Potential) to provide a palaeoenvironmental record of water regimes in relation to Mapungubwe. Findings confirm that geochemical techniques can be used to model or predict aquifer behaviour and the occurrence of groundwater. And, as such, highlighting the need for conservation planners to carefully consider integrative scientific tools to improve conservation practices of archaeological heritage and overexploitation of groundwater resources. Although more data is required, the results obtained allows researchers to begin reframing questions concerned with the links between changing water regimes and social changes, in this case relating to the decline of Mapungubwe. The understanding is important for the management and conservation of the Mapungubwe World Heritage site and surrounding landscape.