wrestling
The Special Stew at the Heart of Sumo Wrestling
Why one dish defines an entire sport.
All Stories
pornography
The Underground Magazine That Sparked the Longest Obscenity Trial in British History
In 1970, the editors of OZ magazine handed over the reins to a group of teens. Not long after, the police showed up.
france
Found: 19th-Century Champagne Bottles in a Collapsed Cellar
"They’ll definitely be tasted, but we’re taking our time.”
paper
The Most Unusual Menus From Libraries Around the World
Featuring fur, space flight, and Abraham Lincoln.
mind over menu
How to Sell a $300 Chocolate Bar
Follow the wine playbook.
fatberg
How a Museum Cares for a Giant Chunk of Dried-Out Fat
A conservator shares the nitty-gritty details about taking a fatberg from the sewer to an exhibition.
wishlist
A Mustache Guard to Help You Drink Like a Victorian
Whisker Dams keep your facial hair dry in most any beverage situation.
environmental disasters
In Massachusetts, an Artist Explores an Old Dye Factory's Toxic Influence
The Ashland-Nyanza Project uses color to promote history and healing.
olympics
5 Unique South Korean Foods You Can Order Online
Celebrate the Winter Olympics with tangy rice wine and acorn jelly.
britain
London Wants Its Hedgehogs Back
How do you make a city more hedgehog-friendly? Step 1: Drill some holes.
snow
What Are Snow Rollers?
Understanding a rare phenomenon.
entomology
Found: Eggs From a Butterfly Last Seen in Scotland 130 Years Ago
The white-letter hairstreak has been creeping north with warming temperatures.
books
The Best Things Found Between the Pages of Old Books
Atlas Obscura readers shared hundreds of stories about their surprising discoveries.
reproduction
Life Lessons From the Helmeted Honeyeater
This endangered species is learning when to love and when to fear.
ski
What Would It Take to Make Nepal the Next Great Ski Destination?
High hopes and high slopes, but few skiers.
plague
Nostradamus Wrote Prophecies; He Also Made Jelly
His cookbook contained recipes for sweets and plague remedies.
greece
Rediscovering the Blazingly Bright Colors of Ancient Sculptures
And why most of us grew up believing classical sculpture is white.
forks
Meet the Artist Who Makes Creatures Out of Cutlery
It's fork art!
