Search Results (398)

Museums may acquire archaeological artefacts discovered by non-specialists or amateur archaeologists, holding the potential to promote the safeguarding of cultural heritage by integrating the local community in their activities. However, this also creates an opportunity for the fraudulent sale of modern forgeries presented as archaeological artefacts, resulting in the need for a critical assessment of the artefact’s authenticity prior to acquisition by the museum. In 2019, the regional museum in Cáceres (Spain) was offered the opportunity to acquire a Phoenician-Punic head pendant, allegedly discovered in the vicinity of the city. The artefact’s authenticity was assessed by traditional approaches, including typological analysis and analysis of manufacture technique, which raised doubts about its purported age. VP-SEM-EDS analysis of the chemical composition of the different glass portions comprising the pendant was used for non-invasive determination of glassmaking recipes, enabling the identification of glass components incompatible with known Iron Age glassmaking recipes from the Mediterranean. Further comparison with historical and modern glassmaking recipes allowed for the identification of the artefact as a recent forgery made from glasses employing modern colouring and opacifying techniques. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Plague of Justinian marked the beginning of the First Pandemic (541–750 CE), yet no genomic evidence of Yersinia pestis has previously been recovered from the Eastern Mediterranean, where the outbreak was first recorded. This study aimed to determine whether Y. pestis was present in a mid-6th to early 7th century mass grave in Jerash, Jordan, and to characterize its genome within the broader context of First Pandemic strains. Methods: We analyzed samples from multiple individuals recovered from the Jerash mass grave. Initial screening for potential pathogen presence was conducted using proteomics. Select samples were subjected to ancient DNA extraction and whole genome sequencing. Comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to assess strain identity and evolutionary placement. Results: Genomic sequencing recovered Y. pestis DNA from five individuals, revealing highly similar genomes. All strains clustered tightly with other First Pandemic lineages but were notably recovered from a region geographically close to the pandemic’s historical epicenter for the first time. The near-identical genomes across diverse individuals suggest an outbreak of a single circulating lineage at the time of this outbreak. Conclusions: This study provides the first genomic evidence of Y. pestis in the Eastern Mediterranean during the First Pandemic, linking archaeological findings with pathogen genomics near the origin point of the Plague of Justinian. Summary Sentence: Genomic evidence links Y. pestis to the First Pandemic in an ancient city. Full article

This study investigates strategies for urban-scale renewable energy integration through a photovoltaic-centric approach, with a case study of a district in Barcelona. The methodology integrates spatial and morphological data using a geographic information system (GIS)-based and clustering framework to address challenges of CO₂ emissions, air pollution, and energy inefficiency. Rooftop availability and photovoltaic (PV) design constraints are analysed under current urban regulations. The spatial analysis incorporates building geometry and solar exposure, while an evolutionary optimisation algorithm in Grasshopper refines shading analysis, energy yield, and financial performance. Clustering methods (K-means and 3D proximity) group PV panels by solar irradiance uniformity and spatial coherence to enhance system efficiency. Eight PV deployment scenarios are evaluated, incorporating submodule integrated converter technology under a solar power purchase agreement model. Results show distinct trade-offs among PV scenarios. The standard fixed tilted (31.5° tilt, south-facing) scenario offers a top environmental and performance ratio (PR) = 66.81% but limited financial returns. In contrast, large- and huge-sized modules offer peak financial returns, aligning with private-sector priorities but with moderate energy efficiency. Medium- and large-size scenarios provide balanced outcomes, while a small module and its optimised rotated version scenarios maximise energy output yet suffer from high capital costs. A hybrid strategy combining standard fixed tilted with medium and large modules balances environmental and economic goals. The district’s morphology supports “solar neighbourhoods” and demonstrates how multi-scenario evaluation can guide resilient PV planning in Mediterranean cities. Full article

Air pollution monitoring in ungauged zones presents unique challenges yet remains critical for understanding environmental health impacts and socioeconomic dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This study investigates air pollution patterns in northwestern Syria during 2019–2024, analyzing NO₂ and CO concentrations using Sentinel-5P TROPOMI satellite data processed through Google Earth Engine. Monthly concentration averages were examined across eight key locations using linear regression analysis to determine temporal trends, with Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients calculated between pollutant levels and five meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation) to determine the influence of political governance, economic conditions, and environmental sustainability factors on pollution dynamics. Quality assurance filtering retained only measurements with values ≥ 0.75, and statistical significance was assessed at a p < 0.05 level. The findings reveal distinctive spatiotemporal patterns that reflect the region’s complex political-economic landscape. NO₂ concentrations exhibited clear political signatures, with opposition-controlled territories showing upward trends (Al-Rai: 6.18 × 10⁻⁸ mol/m²) and weak correlations with climatic variables (<0.20), indicating consistent industrial operations. In contrast, government-controlled areas demonstrated significant downward trends (Hessia: −2.6 × 10⁻⁷ mol/m²) with stronger climate–pollutant correlations (0.30–0.45), reflecting the impact of economic sanctions on industrial activities. CO concentrations showed uniform downward trends across all locations regardless of political control. This study contributes significantly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing critical baseline data for SDG 3 (Health and Well-being), mapping urban pollution hotspots for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), demonstrating climate–pollution correlations for SDG 13 (Climate Action), revealing governance impacts on environmental patterns for SDG 16 (Peace and Justice), and developing transferable methodologies for SDG 17 (Partnerships). These findings underscore the importance of incorporating environmental safeguards into post-conflict reconstruction planning to ensure sustainable development. Full article

Integrating nature-based solutions into sustainable urban design has become increasingly important in response to rapid urbanization and climate-related environmental challenges. As part of these solutions, green walls not only enhance the thermal and acoustic performance of buildings but also contribute to urban ecosystem health by supporting biodiversity. In this context, the careful selection of plant species is essential to ensure ecological efficiency, resilience, and low maintenance. This study presents a model for selecting plant species suitable for natural green walls in Mediterranean cities, with a focus on habitats protected under Directive 92/43/EEC. The selection followed a multi-phase process applied to the native flora of Italy, using criteria such as chorological type, life form, ecological indicator values, altitudinal range, and habitat type. Alien and invasive species were excluded, favoring only native Mediterranean species adapted to local pedoclimatic conditions and capable of providing ecosystem, esthetic, and functional benefits. The outcome of this rigorous screening led to the identification of a pool of species suitable for green wall systems in Mediterranean urban settings. These selections offer a practical contribution to mitigating the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, and enhancing biodiversity, thus providing a valuable tool for designing more sustainable and climate-adaptive buildings. Full article

The integration of shared autonomous vehicles into historic urban areas presents both opportunities and challenges. In heritage-rich environments like very old Asian (such as Suzhou old town, which serves as a use case example) or European (especially Mediterranean coastal cities) areas—characterized by narrow alleys, dense development, and sensitive cultural landscapes—shared autonomous vehicle adoption raises critical spatial and social questions. This study employs a qualitative, user-centered approach based on the ripple model to examine residents’ perceptions across four dimensions: residential patterns, parking land use, regional accessibility, and street-level infrastructure. Semi-structured interviews with 27 participants reveal five key findings: (1) public trust depends on transparent decision-making and safety guarantees; (2) shared autonomous vehicles may reshape generational residential clustering; (3) the short-term parking demand remains stable, but the long-term reuse of space is feasible; (4) shared autonomous vehicles could enhance accessibility in historic cores; (5) transport systems may evolve toward intelligent, human-centered designs. Based on these insights, the study proposes three strategies: (1) transparent risk assessment using explainable artificial intelligence and digital twins; (2) polycentric development to diversify land use; (3) hierarchical street retrofitting to balance mobility and preservation. While this study is limited by its qualitative scope and absence of simulation, it offers a framework for culturally sensitive, small-scale interventions supporting sustainable mobility transitions in historic urban contexts. Full article

Critical transportation networks in developing countries often lack structural robustness and functional redundancy due to insufficient planning and preparedness. These deficiencies increase vulnerability to disruptions and impede effective post-disaster response and recovery. Understanding how such networks perform under stress is essential to improving resilience in hazard-prone urban environments. This paper presents an integrated predictive methodology for assessing the operational resilience of urban transportation networks under extreme events, specifically tailored to data-scarce and high-risk contexts. By combining Geographic Information Systems (GISs) with complex network theory, the framework captures both spatial and topological dependencies. The methodology is applied to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, a densely populated and disaster-prone Mediterranean city, through scenario-based simulations that account for interdependent stressors such as traffic dynamics, structural fragility, and geophysical hazards. Results reveal that the network exhibits low redundancy and high sensitivity to even minor disruptions, leading to rapid performance degradation. These findings indicate that the network should be classified as highly vulnerable. The study offers a robust framework for assessing infrastructure resilience and supporting evidence-based decision-making in critical urban network management. Full article

Extreme rainfall in urban areas can cause major economic damage, a problem expected to intensify with climate change. Despite this, high-resolution studies at the city scale remain limited. This study analyzes rainfall organization and storm dynamics over Barcelona using data from a dense rain gauge network (1994–2019). The aim is to identify dominant spatial patterns and understand how storms evolve in relation to local urban and topographic features. Principal component analysis and simple scaling analysis revealed signs of a rainfall island effect, possibly linked to the urban heat island and modulated by orographic and coastal influences. Tailored rainfall indices highlighted a division between inland areas shaped by orography and coastal zones influenced by the sea. These spatial structures evolved with rainfall duration, shifting from localized contrasts at a 10 min resolution to more homogeneous distributions at daily scales. Storm tracking showed that 90% of speeds ranged from 5 to 60 km/h and intense rainfall events typically moved east–southeast toward the sea and north–northeast. Faster storms tended to follow preferred directions reflecting mesoscale circulations and possible modulations by local terrain. These findings underscore how urban morphology, local relief, and a coastal setting may shape rainfall at the city scale, in interaction with broader Mediterranean synoptic dynamics. Full article

This paper presents an enhanced hub location model tailored to port–hinterland logistics planning, grounded in the Capacitated Multiple-Allocation Hub Location Problem (CMAHLP). The formulation incorporates nonlinear cost structures, hub-specific operating costs, adaptive capacity constraints, and a feasibility condition based on the Social Net Present Value (NPVsocial) to support the design of intermodal freight networks under asymmetric spatial and socio-environmental conditions. The empirical case focuses on Spain, leveraging its strategic position between Asia, North Africa, and Europe. The model includes four major ports—Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, and Algeciras—as intermodal gateways connected to the 47 provinces of peninsular Spain through calibrated cost matrices based on real distances and mode-specific road and rail costs. A Genetic Algorithm is applied to evaluate 120 scenarios, varying the number of active hubs (4, 6, 8, 10, 12), transshipment discounts (α = 0.2 and 1.0), and internal parameters. The most efficient configuration involved 300 generations, 150 individuals, a crossover rate of 0.85, and a mutation rate of 0.40. The algorithm integrates guided mutation, elitist reinsertion, and local search on the top 15% of individuals. Results confirm the central role of Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, frequently accompanied by high-performance inland hubs such as Málaga, Córdoba, Jaén, Palencia, León, and Zaragoza. Cities with active ports such as Cartagena, Seville, and Alicante appear in several of the most efficient network configurations. Their recurring presence underscores the strategic role of inland hubs located near seaports in supporting logistical cohesion and operational resilience across the system. The COVID-19 crisis, the Suez Canal incident, and the persistent tensions in the Red Sea have made clear the fragility of traditional freight corridors linking Asia and Europe. These shocks have brought renewed strategic attention to southern Spain—particularly the Mediterranean and Andalusian axes—as viable alternatives that offer both geographic and intermodal advantages. In this evolving context, the contribution of southern hubs gains further support through strong system-wide performance indicators such as entropy, cluster diversity, and Pareto efficiency, which allow for the assessment of spatial balance, structural robustness, and optimal trade-offs in intermodal freight planning. Southern hubs, particularly in coordination with North African partners, are poised to gain prominence in an emerging Euro–Maghreb logistics interface that demands a territorial balance and resilient port–hinterland integration. Full article

Religion played a pivotal role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of early China, particularly through the practice of relocating capitals (遷都). The relocation of capitals is an outstanding theme in early Chinese historiography, setting it apart from many other world traditions. In particular, this practice contrasts sharply with the early Mediterranean context, where the city of Rome transitioned from a modest city-state to a world empire and was celebrated as the “eternal city.” By contrast, early Chinese capitals were deliberately transient, their impermanence rooted in strong religious sentiments and pragmatic considerations. Religious and ideological justifications were central to these relocations. The relocation was not merely a logistical or political exercise; it was imbued with symbolic meaning that reinforced the ruler’s legitimacy and divine mandate. Equally important was the way rulers communicated these decisions to the populace. The ability to garner mass support for such monumental undertakings reveals the intricate relationship between political authority and religious practice in early China. These critical moments of migration offer profound insights into the evolving religious landscape of early China, shedding light on how religion shaped early governance and public persuasion. “Capital relocation” served as a means to rearticulate belief, reaffirm the centrality of worship, and restore faith in the ruling order. Drawing on recent archeological discoveries and updated textual and inscriptional scholarship related to the events of Pan Geng and the Zhou relocation to Luoyi, this article re-examines the motif of “capital relocation” as both a historical and historiographical phenomenon unique to early China. Full article

Urban regulations in Amman, Jordan, enforce uniform building setbacks irrespective of topography, exacerbating shading effects and compromising daylight access in residential areas—a critical factor for occupant health and psychological well-being. This study evaluates the interplay between standardized setbacks, slope variations (0–30%), and shadow patterns in Amman’s dense, mountainous urban fabric. Focusing on the Al Jubayhah district, a mixed-methods approach was used, combining field surveys, 3D modeling (Revit), and seasonal shadow simulations (March, September, December) to quantify daylight deprivation. The results reveal severe shading in winter (78.3% site coverage in December) and identify slope-dependent setbacks as a key determinant: for instance, a 15 m building on a 30% slope requires a 26.4 m rear setback to mitigate shadows, compared to 13.8 m on flat terrain. Over 39% of basements in the study area remain permanently shaded due to retaining walls, correlating with poor living conditions. The findings challenge Amman’s one-size-fits-all regulatory framework (Building Code No. 67, 1979), and we propose adaptive guidelines, including slope-adjusted setbacks, restricted basement usage, and optimized street orientation. This research underscores the urgency of context-sensitive urban policies in mountainous cities to balance developmental density with daylight equity, offering a replicable methodology for similar Mediterranean climates. Full article

As a globe leader in tourism, Spain relies on this sector as a key economic pillar, contributing over 12% to its GDP. The hospitality industry has expanded steadily in response to growing demand. In parallel, recent years have witnessed an exponential rise in tourist accommodations, such as privately owned properties repurposed for short-term rentals, largely facilitated by digital platforms. This study explores the evolution and spatial distribution of these accommodations, assessing their share within the overall housing stock across different scales. The focus is on Andalusian municipalities, a region characterized by both its geographical diversity and its significant tourism footprint. This study highlights two primary areas of concentration: the region’s Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines (most notably the Costa del Sol, centered in Malaga) and internationally renowned heritage cities such as Seville, Granada, and Cordoba. By applying quantitative methods, this research assesses the clustering of tourist accommodations in relation to major cultural landmarks, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The findings provide an analysis of the implications of this trend, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities it presents within the tourism sector, particularly against the backdrop of mounting criticism surrounding the sustainability and socio-economic impacts of this evolving model of tourism. Full article

Mediterranean island cities face unique challenges in implementing smart city initiatives due to fragmented governance structures, seasonal economic pressures, and evolving societal expectations. This study investigates how strategic aspirations and public discourse shape the feasibility of smart city policies in insular contexts. Specifically, it combines SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) analysis with the Overton Window framework to examine both the strategic capacities and normative acceptability of technological interventions. The Overton Window, a model originally developed in political theory, is applied here to evaluate how public and policy acceptance of smart technologies, ranging from digital governance systems to AI-based mobility, varies across different islands. While this study draws on cross-case comparisons of multiple Mediterranean island contexts, the primary data were collected in Athens, Greece, through surveys and focus groups with citizens and stakeholders. The findings reveal disparities in institutional maturity, stakeholder coordination, and levels of citizen support. This study concludes that successful smart city transformation requires both strategic coherence and alignment with evolving public values. It proposes the ‘Ecopolis’ model as a conceptual planning framework that integrates sustainability, citizen participation, and data-driven governance in tourism-dependent island settings. Full article

Since the early 14th century, the Mediterranean coasts of the Crown of Aragon had mechanisms in place to alert populations of incoming threats from the sea. In addition to maritime surveillance systems strategically positioned at elevated vantage points, any information reaching the coast that posed a threat to the safety of the population or trade was swiftly relayed along the shoreline, ensuring that coastal communities could prepare and defend themselves. This information, preserved in the correspondence of coastal city authorities, serves today as a primary source not only for reconstructing maritime threats in the late Middle Ages but also for assessing the role of urban leaders in managing defence. This article explores both aspects. By analysing maritime alerts either received in the city of Barcelona or disseminated from it during the first half of the 15th century, this study examines the main threats to the Catalan coastline while emphasizing the central role of cities in managing the alert system. Full article

Drought frequency and severity intensify with climate change, challenging many Mediterranean cities to face securing sustainable water supplies. In this context, groundwater emerges as a key but often overlooked resource, particularly in urban areas historically reliant on external drinking water systems. This study provides a comprehensive hydrogeological characterisation of the groundwater system in Aix-en-Provence (southeastern France), with a specific focus on hypothermal springs and the cold springs of the Vallon des Pinchinats, which historically supplied the town before the creation of the Canal de Provence by the company of the same name (Société du Canal de Provence (SCP)). By combining chemical and isotopic analyses (δ¹⁸O, δ²H, and chloride concentrations) with a statistical clustering (DACMAD method), we characterise the origin and dynamics of distinct water sources and evaluate their influence with surface water and external supply systems. Four key hydrological entities influencing the study area were identified. (1) regional precipitation (RRW) contributing significantly to groundwater recharge in the region. The isotope composition of the RRW was calculated (δ¹⁸O: −6.68‰, δ²H: −41.80‰, Cl: 2.2 mg/L) (2) Groundwater from the Oligocene aquifer (OG) characterised by an enrichment in chloride and sulphate. (3) Groundwater from the Cretaceous–Jurassic aquifer (CJG), a karstified aquifer from the Sainte-Victoire-Concors massif, which supplies the cold and hypothermal springs in Aix-en-Provence and multiple springs in the region. (4) Canal de Provence water (CPW) as an external water source, used for domestic supply, which has left a traceable signal in the local hydrosystem. The study reveals that cold springs of the Vallon des Pinchinats result from the mixing of Oligocene and Cretaceous–Jurassic groundwaters. Hypothermal springs (20–30 °C) circulate at moderate depths (165–500 m), unlike previous models suggesting deeper infiltration and mixing processes. This study contributes a novel hydrogeochemical and isotopic framework applicable to other Mediterranean urban areas facing similar pressures and highlights the strategic role that local groundwater can play in building long-term water resilience. Full article