Rituals and Traditions
Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Clay Puppets With Open Mouths and Detachable Heads That 'Resemble Modern Toy Dolls'
The figurines were discovered in a largely unexcavated site in El Salvador. Some 2,400 years ago, they were controlled by strings that passed through their necks
Ancient Tomb Decorated With Stunning Reliefs and a Mysterious Inscription Discovered Beneath a Courtyard in Turkey
Found in the province of Şanlıurfa, the rock tomb features depictions of a reclining man and two winged women alongside an illegible inscription
Archaeologists in Denmark Discover 4,000-Year-Old Circle of Wooden Posts Resembling Stonehenge
The monument once featured more than 80 posts, which formed a circle measuring nearly 100 feet across. Its prehistoric builders may have used it as a ritual site
See the Stunning Frescoes of a Mysterious Dionysian Cult Discovered in Ancient Pompeii
Created more than a century before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 C.E., the wall paintings provide rare insights into secret rituals conducted in the Roman city
Suitcase Belonging to the Legendary Archaeologist Who Discovered King Tut's Tomb Surfaces in England
Howard Carter used the luggage while working in Egypt before giving it to a fellow researcher in 1939. Now, it's heading to the auction block
Learn to Ice Climb at Alaska's Most Extreme Community Festival
For more than 40 years, Alaskans have been gathering in the tiny coastal town of Valdez to celebrate the art of climbing ice
Why Were All of These Bodies Buried Sitting Upright and Facing West More Than 2,000 Years Ago?
Archaeologists are still unraveling the mysteries of an unusual burial site in Dijon, France, which dates to between 450 and 25 B.C.E.
Are 'Gripping,' 'Brilliant' Book Blurbs on Their Way Out?
In a provocative essay, a major publisher announced that its authors will no longer be required to solicit glowing reviews for their book jackets, arguing that blurbs don't reflect a title's true merit
Elite Germanic Pagans Buried 'Devil's Money' as Offerings for Their Gods at This Ancient Cult Site
Researchers excavated the deposits of coins and jewelry in the Netherlands, near the German border
One of Britain's Most Beloved Royal Couples Wed on This Day in 1840
Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert popularized white wedding dresses. Later, her mourning of his passing cemented the image of a grieving widow in black
An American Toy Company Produced the World’s First Frisbees, Beloved by Humans and Dogs, on This Day in 1957
The flying disc had humble beginnings but has since become an international phenomenon
Scientists Discover Celtic Society Where Men Left Home to Join Their Bride's Community
DNA extracted from 57 individuals buried in a 2,000-year-old cemetery provides evidence of a "matrilocal" community in Iron Age Britain, a new study suggests
Construction Workers Discover Ancient Stone Coffin Filled With Plaster While Expanding Highway in England
The intricately crafted coffin dates back more than 1,500 years. Researchers say it weighs around 1,650 pounds, "comparable to an adult male polar bear"
Archaeologists Unearth Early Medieval Sword Engraved With Mysterious Runes in a Cemetery in England
Dating to the fifth and sixth centuries C.E., the burials held a trove of grave goods—but the team was particularly impressed by the sword, which was covered in intricate decorations
Anonymous Donors Across the Country Are Dropping Valuable Coins Into the Salvation Army's Red Kettles
Many donors search their pockets for spare change, but some generous individuals are giving away historic coins worth thousands of dollars during the charity's annual fundraising campaign
How People of the Past Predicted the Future, From Spider Divination to Bibliomancy
A new exhibition spotlights the ways in which cultures around the world have sought answers in the face of uncertainty
See the Mysterious Winter Parade That Brings Tourists to the Remote Island of Sardinia
Since ancient times, a town on the Italian isle has marked the season with a grim costumed festival
The First Ever Times Square Ball Drop Was Held Atop the New York Times Headquarters in 1907, Starting a Cherished Tradition
Time balls date back to the early 19th century, when they signaled the time to passing sailors. Now they’re part of the pomp and circumstance of the new year
Seventy-Seven Fascinating Finds Revealed in 2024, From a Mysterious 'Anomaly' Near the Great Pyramid of Giza to a Missing Portrait of Henry VIII
The year's most exciting discoveries included musket balls fired in the early days of the American Revolution, a lost composition by Mozart and a medieval chess piece
The Best Board Games of 2024 Will Excite Players of All Ages
Whether you love cheese, wordplay, “Star Wars” or Japanese culture, this year’s list has something for everyone in what turned out to be a fantastic year for board gamers
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