contentious demolitions
Archaeologists Dismantled a Maya Pyramid in Guatemala and Never Put It Back Together
They tore it down in the 1960s to solve the puzzle below.
All Stories
pakistan
When Indian Hosts Opened Their Homes to Pakistani Cricket Fans
India and Pakistan's volatile relationship keeps their citizens apart. Cricket brings them together.
breakup week
In Alaska, Birch Syrup Is a Sweet Sign of Breakup Season
The running sap is like a local version of Groundhog Day.
belgium
Inside the Belgian Library That Tore Itself Apart
In the 1960s, a conflict between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking students divided a historic collection.
shells
Sailors' Valentines Were Painstakingly Crafted, But Not by Sailors
They made great last-minute gifts after months at sea.
food art
This Assortment of Candy Art Includes a Giant, Illuminated Gummy Bear
Bear in mind, it's not actually edible.
tobacco
Sold: A Stuffed Whale Penis for $6,000
Yep.
breakup week
When Divorce Was Off the Table, English Couples Dissolved Their Marriages With Beer
The practice of "wife-selling" wasn't legal, but a drink signaled freedom from a relationship that had soured.
tortoises
The Celebrity Tortoise Breakup That Rocked the World
In 2011, after nearly a century together, Galápagos tortoises Bibi and Poldi called it quits. We still don’t know why.
relationships
A Visit to the Museum of Broken Relationships
A unique collection focused on what happens after love dies.
contentious demolitions
During the Taiping Rebellion, a Stunning 15th-Century Pagoda Met Its Demise
Centuries after the Porcelain Tower was torn down, it was built up again—and this time, made of steel.
story
Lincoln’s Log Cabin Has New Neighbors
30 acres of presidential memorabilia just went up for auction.
breakup week
20 Peaceful Places That Make Solitude Magical
Atlas Obscura readers share their favorite spots to revel in isolation.
breakup week
Japan's Most Interesting Newspaper Is for Recluses, by Recluses
Fed up with sensationalized portrayals, the country's hikikomori are reclaiming their narrative.
contentious demolitions
The German Church Smashed to Smithereens to Make Room for Coal
The town sat atop a trove of rock that was irresistible to fuel companies.
dating
A Breakup Tip From Abraham Lincoln: Just Tell Her Your Town Is Terrible
In letters to his accidental fiancée, the future president painted Springfield, Illinois, as a bummer.
dinner party
The Legendary, Lavish Dinner Parties of South Dakota's Divorce Colony
For a time, wealthy divorce seekers headed to the frontier.
naval history
Found: Shipwrecks, Helmets, and Clues From an Ancient Roman Naval Battle
Researchers are using conflicting pieces to puzzle out what happened in 241 BC.
