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Lion Aquamanile, North German or Mosan, circa 1200, bronze, 15.3 cm. long

classic

Fancy Medieval Nobles Washed Their Hands With Bronze Lion-Shaped Vessels

Without forks, hand-washing at mealtime was extra important.

Sarah Laskow
Atlas Obscura
November 22, 2017
One hamburger please, hold the LSD.

culinary crimes

A Psychedelic Hamburger Helped Convict Charles Manson

Ten hits of acid led to one powerful testimony.

Paula Mejia
Atlas Obscura
November 21, 2017
Copper wire covered with asphaltum that was part of the first underground electrical system and used to illuminate Edison's home.

edison

For Sale: A Wire From Thomas Edison's 1880 City Lighting Demo

The insulated copper wire was used to illuminate the inventor's New Jersey home.

Vittoria Traverso
Atlas Obscura
November 21, 2017
The Swim Reaper, out doing his own special kind of beachcombing.

marketing

This Water Safety Campaign in New Zealand Has a Stylish, Sinister Mascot

Meet the Swim Reaper.

Cara Giaimo
Atlas Obscura
November 21, 2017
John Cerasulo's painting of a dog in a sweater.

features

Talking to an Artist Whose Paintings Are Mass-Produced for Hotel Rooms

John Cerasulo's commercial art features landscapes, flowers, and melancholy dogs in sweaters.

Kevin Litman-Navarro
Atlas Obscura
November 21, 2017
No Vin Diesel here—only coffee diesel.

energy

London's Buses Are Getting a Boost From Coffee Fuel

No reports yet on tea-fueled buses.

Anne Ewbank
Atlas Obscura
November 21, 2017
Lidar reveals the places the Sauk River once flowed.

classic

These Beautiful, Swirling Images Are Maps of Washington's Geology

Lidar mapping reveals the land's secrets, usually hidden beneath thick forests.

Sarah Laskow
Atlas Obscura
November 21, 2017
A male dolphin balances a marine sponge on his rostrum.

dolphins

The Secret to Dolphin Seduction Is the Gift of a Large Marine Sponge

Update your holiday wishlist accordingly.

Natasha Frost
Atlas Obscura
November 21, 2017
Uniformly chopped dog bones from  Krasnosamarskoe.

warriors

Found: Archaeological Evidence of Bronze Age Lupine Initiation Rituals

Dog sacrifice, lawless war-bands, and coming of age on the Russian steppes.

Vittoria Traverso
Atlas Obscura
November 21, 2017
Scrub jays, among other birds, like to rub themselves with ants.

ants

Birds Rub Ants on Themselves, and No One Knows Exactly Why

It's called "anting," and it is weird.

Eric Grundhauser
Atlas Obscura
November 21, 2017
Blue Lagoon

story

Win a Trip to the Land of Fire and Ice

Iceland Naturally is sending one winner on the trip of a lifetime to Iceland.

Sponsored By Iceland Naturally
A Fake-Food Maker on the Art of Creating Inedible Meals

food art

A Fake-Food Maker on the Art of Creating Inedible Meals

For 60 years, this Japanese craftsman has been making silicone dinners that look good enough to eat.

Ashawnta Jackson
Atlas Obscura
November 21, 2017
A bowl of picked elderflowers.*

health

The Long Tradition of Folk Healing Among Southern Appalachian Women

Whether their practices are rooted in the Bible, Mother Nature, or common sense, there’s no denying that there’s something enchanted in it.

Beth Ward
Atlas Obscura
November 21, 2017
The Convent of Santa Ines, in Seville, was founded in 1374.

music

The Spanish Nuns in Hot Water for an 'Unauthorized' Organ Refurbishment

$170,000 for repairs or a $200,000 fine. Choose wisely.

Natasha Frost
Atlas Obscura
November 20, 2017
Lady Emma Hamilton's hair.

hair

Untangling the Secrets of One of Harvard’s Historic Hair Collections

The university's Houghton Library is home to a number of famous tresses.

Cara Giaimo
Atlas Obscura
November 20, 2017
A classy-looking sweet potato casserole.

marshmallow

The Savvy Marketing That Put Marshmallows on Your Sweet Potato Casserole

"I’ll have it with my Roast … and again for dessert."

Natasha Frost
Atlas Obscura
November 20, 2017
The Battle Creek Sanitarium, home of the Corn Flake (and Snowflake Toast)

menu monday

Before Avocado Toast, There Was Snowflake Toast

The Kellogg brothers' spa served health food that still sounds trendy.

Anne Ewbank
Atlas Obscura
November 20, 2017
Uncooked Swedish meatballs. Now imagine 20 tons of these.

trucks

A 20-Ton Meatball Spill Surprises Swedish Drivers

If only they'd fallen onto plates.

Paula Mejia
Atlas Obscura
November 20, 2017
Previous Page 427 of 846 Next

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