Like many Christian sects, Tsarist Russia's Skoptsy believed sex was a sin. Unlike most sects, they also believed that the only way to get to heaven was to cut off their own genitals.

Before the rise of photography in America, artists drew stunning "balloon maps" of their cities, giving ordinary citizens a bird's-eye view of their communities that they'd never seen before.

World's oldest-known fossil forest found, 1,200-year-old "piggy bank" dug up in Israel, ancient Mayan palace uncovered.

Harlequin ichthyosis, a genetic disorder that results in overly thick skin that's prone to cracking, used to mean certain death. Now, some people with the condition have lived into their 30s.

"World's oldest story" found in Indonesia, remains of ancient shield found alongside rider and chariot, suspected mass grace from historic massacre discovered.

These daguerreotypes from the 1840s and '50s — newly restored in vivid color — capture a generation of Americans that lived through the Revolutionary War and the execution of Marie Antoinette.

Ancient Roman egg unearthed, Auschwitz lovers reunited, Civil War hair dye uncovered.

Ancient mummified wolf-dog found in Siberia, Queen Elizabeth's sloppy handwriting outed, rare Egyptian animal mummies uncovered.

"The only reason I'm here is because I had been messing around with a white lady," Walter McMillian said from death row.

Men who found Viking treasure sentenced to jail, ancient snake with legs unearthed, suspected Amazon warrior's remains discovered.

Ancient human remains with skull helmets unearthed, thief of Picasso's artworks brought to justice, conversion of Hitler's birthplace into a police station announced.