Wadi Al-Hitan, the whale valley in the western desert of Egypt, contains priceless fossilised remains of the earliest, and now extinct, suborder of whales, the Archaeoceti. These fossils represent one of evolution's most important stories: the whale's emergence as an ocean-going mammal from a previous life as a land-based animal. This is the most important place in the world to demonstrate this stage of evolution. It provides a vivid picture of the shape and life of whales during this transitional phase. The number, concentration and quality of fossils here is unique, as is its accessibility and location in an attractive and protected landscape. The fossils in Al-Hitan show the youngest archaeocetes, which are in the final stages of losing their hind limbs. Other fossil material in the area makes it possible to reconstruct the environmental and ecological conditions of the time.
A World Heritage Site, the Old City of Cairo consists of five distinct Old City districts at the centre of this sprawling modern metropolis. Founded in the 10th century, the Old City of Cairo is one of the oldest Islamic cities in the world and has become the centre of the Islamic world. The Old City is home to a number of classified monuments (some 800 in total) spanning 1,300 years from the 7th century onwards. These monuments include ancient mosques, madrasas, hammams and fountains, the massive walls and the huge citadel with its mosques and palaces. The central area of the World Heritage Site covers 312 hectares and comprises the bustling heart of the old city, from the Citadel and the Ibn Tulun Mosque in the south to the outskirts of Al-Azhar in the north, dominated by the huge Al-Azhar Mosque and the Khan al-Khalili Market, which is made up of shops and alleys.
The Valley of the Kings, located on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor, Egypt, is an important archaeological site. It served as the burial ground for pharaohs and powerful nobles of the Egyptian New Kingdom from the 16th to the 11th century BCE. The site is world-renowned for its architectural and artistic achievements, showcasing the height of ancientEgyptian funerary culture.
"Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains" is the pinnacle of Chinese green and blue landscape painting. This large-scale landscape scroll, measuring approximately11.9meters in length, was created by the Northern Song dynasty's genius painter Wang Ximeng. It reflects the highly developed painting art and aesthetic view of the Song dynasty. The painting not only demonstrates exquisite painting skills but also embodies the concept of harmonious coexistence between ancient Chinese people and nature.
Iron Flower Show (Da Tie Hua) is a traditional Chinese folk firework performance that started in the Northern Song dynasty, flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and has a history of over a thousand years. Today, it's mainly popular in Hebei and Henan. During the performance, with drums beating, the molten iron is heated to 1600°C-1700°C. Performers throw the scalding iron into the sky, and another person hits the iron with a wooden board before it falls, creating a spectacular scene of fiery blooms in the air.
Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area (UNESCO/NHK)
This video, which introduces the rich natural landscapes and diverse ecosystems of the Jiuzhaigou Valley, has been specially edited and adapted by UNESCO for the NHK World Heritage 100 Series.
Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area
The Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, located in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, China, is a World Biosphere Reserve known for its exceptional natural beauty and rich ecosystem. It is home to broad-leaf temperate forests, mountainous regions, and ancient glacial remnants, providing critical habitats for many endangered species, such as giant pandas, golden monkeys, and antelopes. As a settlement for the Tibetan and Qiang ethnic groups, Jiuzhaigou also features a unique cultural heritage, which contributes to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Jiuzhaigou attracts millions of tourists every year. Despite the economic benefits of tourism, this popularity stresses the local ecological environment. In response, the local authorities have implemented a GIS-based Integrated Monitoring System to manage natural resource data efficiently, and a Smart Tourism Platform that adjusts eco-buses routes based on the tourist capacity, thus easing the impact during busy seasons. These measures have played a positive role in achieving SDG 12. B and SDG 15.1/4/5/9, promoting sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.
The Taj Mahal is located in the Agra District in Uttar Pradesh, India. It was first built in 1632 and took 16 years to complete. Painters, calligraphers, sculptors and many imperial craftsmen participated in its construction.
Five color pond in Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area.
Sericulture and silk craftsmanship of China (silk quilt)
The video demonstrates how this vlogger made a set of winter bedding from double-cocoon silk for her granny.
The Thai Mahal The Taj Mahal, situated in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh, India, commenced construction in 1632 and was completed over a 16-year period. Its construction involved painters, calligraphers, sculptors, and numerous craftsmen from the imperial workshops.The Taj Mahal is a world famous architectural heritage site, and its design combines Indian and Persian architectural styles. It took tens of thousands of craftsmen more than a decade to complete the complex, which is mainly made of white marble. Attracting a large number of tourists every year, celebrities and politicians from around the world have come to visit, and in recent years, the Taj Mahal has faced some challenges, such as environmental pollution and acid rain, as well as natural weathering. Digital interpretation can help Taj Mahal gain more network traffic and social attention, increase the number of tourists by better displaying the architectural charm of Taj Mahal, and further promote the development of local economy. This can effectively promote SDG8 - Decent work and economic growth.
The Thai Mahal The Taj Mahal, situated in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh, India, commenced construction in 1632 and was completed over a 16-year period. Its construction involved painters, calligraphers, sculptors, and numerous craftsmen from the imperial workshops.The Taj Mahal is a world famous architectural heritage site, and its design combines Indian and Persian architectural styles. It took tens of thousands of craftsmen more than a decade to complete the complex, which is mainly made of white marble. Attracting a large number of tourists every year, celebrities and politicians from around the world have come to visit, and in recent years, the Taj Mahal has faced some challenges, such as environmental pollution and acid rain, as well as natural weathering. Digital interpretation can help Taj Mahal gain more network traffic and social attention, increase the number of tourists by better displaying the architectural charm of Taj Mahal, and further promote the development of local economy. This can effectively promote SDG8 - Decent work and economic growth
The Site Of Palmyra The ancient city of Palmyra, located in central Syria, is an archaeological site full of historical charm. The city was an important hub of ancient trade and cultural exchange, connecting the Roman and Persian empires. Palmyra is famous for its magnificent temples, magnificent colonnaded streets and unique architectural style. The ruins show a mix of cultures, including Greco-Roman architecture and Persian art. Due to its unique historical and cultural values, Palmyra is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site. In recent years, however, war and destruction have seriously threatened these precious cultural heritages. digital interpretation can increase the visibility Of the Site Of Palmyra, promote local economic development, This can effectively promote SDG8 - Decent work and economic growth and SDG 11- Sustainable cities and communities.
The Palace Museum in Beijing, located in the center of Beijing, China, is one of the largest palace complexes in the world, also known as the Forbidden City. It was the imperial palace of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties and has a history of nearly 600 years. The Forbidden City is famous for its magnificent architecture, huge collections and profound cultural heritage. The museum has a large number of artworks, including paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, jade and other precious cultural relics, and is an important place for the study of Chinese history and culture. It attracts thousands of tourists every year and is one of the most important cultural ICONS in China. digital interpretation can increase its digital process and promote the development of tourism in Beijing. This can effectively promote SDG8 - Decent work and economic growth & SDG9 - industry, innovation and infrastructure
Sericulture and silk craftsmanship of China
Sericulture and silk craftsmanship of China, centred in Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces, have a long history and have profoundly impacted global trade, culture, and fashion across the ages. This legacy shows the process of silk-making, which encompasses planting mulberry, raising silkworms, unreeling silk, making thread, and designing and weaving fabric. The lifecycle of the silkworm symbolizes human birth, death, and rebirth, reflecting deep cultural meanings. Silk products such as clothes, quilts, and fans adorn the daily life of the Chinese people. Nowadays, digital technology plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting these ancient silk technologies. The China National Silk Museum has established an online platform integrating comprehensive silk exhibitions and scientific research databases. By providing virtual tours, interactive content and educational resources, the platform not only enhances the visibility of this cultural heritage but also creates a digital archive for future generations. This digitization primarily supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for quality education (SDG 4) and industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9).
Traditional Li textile techniques: spinning, dyeing, weaving and embroidering
The traditional Li textile techniques of spinning, dyeing, weaving and embroidering are employed by women of the Li ethnic group of Hainan Province, China, to make cotton, hemp and other fibres into clothing and other daily necessities. The techniques involved, including warp ikat, double-face embroidery, and single-face jacquard weaving, are passed down from mothers to daughters from early childhood through verbal instruction and personal demonstration. Li women design the textile patterns using only their imagination and knowledge of traditional styles. In the absence of a written language, these patterns record the history and legends of Li culture as well as aspects of worship, taboos, beliefs, traditions and folkways. The patterns also distinguish the five major spoken dialects of Hainan Island. The textiles form an indispensable part of important social and cultural occasions such as religious rituals and festivals, and in particular weddings, for which Li women design their own dresses. As carriers of Li culture, traditional Li textile techniques are an indispensable part of the cultural heritage of the Li ethnic group. However, in recent decades the numbers of women with the weaving and embroidery skills at their command has severely declined to the extent that traditional Li textile techniques are exposed to the risk of extinction and are in urgent need of protection.
In Hainan Province, China, an ancient ethnic group called Li, also known as Hlai, communicates through their language without characters. Li women have recorded their culture's history and legends through textile patterns, and have developed a complete set of techniques of spinning, dyeing, weaving and embroidering. These traditional Li textile techniques, with a history of over 3,000 years, are known as a living fossil of China's textile history. They have been passed down exclusively among women, supporting gender equality and contributing significantly towards achieving SDG 5. With the development of the textile industry, most young Li women are unfamiliar with these traditional techniques. In response to the threat and risk that these techniques might be lost, the local government recorded how Li women made Li textiles, integrated the video into a series of tutorials, and shared resources with many colleges and institutions around the world. This digital protection and promotion contributes to the achievement of SDG 4, promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all by sharing resources, and also help revitalize the global partnership to achieve SDG 17.
Supermodel Liu Wen wears Li ethnic clothing in a fashion shoot for Wallpaper magazine.
The Online Exhibition of the China National Silk Museum
An online exhibition of the China National Silk Museum.
Silk, Tea and Celadon: Intercultural Dialogue on the Silk Road
School of computer science in University of St Andrews main building.
The gallery houses Scotland's national collection of fine art, spanning Scottish and international art from the beginning of the Renaissance up to the start of the 20th century.
Arch - Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands
Discovery Point Dundee (Dundee Heritage Trust)
he proud guardian of two of Scotland’s best-loved museums: Discovery Point and Verdant Works. Together, we spark curiosity in heritage, science, and discovery. Our museums have inspired of millions of people around the globe since the Royal Research Ship Discovery returned to Dundee. Built in our city, she belongs to the world. An anchor for generations of scientists. A beacon for explorers, young and old. A compass for the curious.