curiosities

The History Of Encephalitis Lethargica, The Bizarre ‘Sleepy Sickness’ That Plagued The World In The Early 20th Century

First described by neurologist Constantin von Economo in 1917, encephalitis lethargica infected more than 1 million people — and killed an estimated 500,000.

By Austin Harvey • May 22, 2025

The History Of Encephalitis Lethargica, The Bizarre ‘Sleepy Sickness’ That Plagued The World In The Early 20th Century

First described by neurologist Constantin von Economo in 1917, encephalitis lethargica infected more than 1 million people — and killed an estimated 500,000.

By Austin Harvey • May 22, 2025

Who Was ‘Deep Throat’ In The Watergate Scandal? All About Former FBI Agent Mark Felt

While working as the No. 2 official at the FBI, Mark Felt secretly cooperated with Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they investigated Watergate.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 21, 2025

Who Was ‘Deep Throat’ In The Watergate Scandal? All About Former FBI Agent Mark Felt

While working as the No. 2 official at the FBI, Mark Felt secretly cooperated with Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they investigated Watergate.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 21, 2025

Archaeologists Find ‘Very Rare’ African Figurines In A 1,500-Year-Old Burial In Israel’s Negev Desert

Made from valuable ebony and carved with "African facial features," the figurines found in graves in Israel seem to have been worn as pendants around the sixth or seventh century C.E.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 19, 2025

News

Archaeologists Find ‘Very Rare’ African Figurines In A 1,500-Year-Old Burial In Israel’s Negev Desert

Made from valuable ebony and carved with "African facial features," the figurines found in graves in Israel seem to have been worn as pendants around the sixth or seventh century C.E.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 19, 2025

Scientists Are Working To Create A Universal Antivenom — And It’s All Thanks To A Wisconsin Man Who Let Venomous Snakes Bite Him Over 200 Times

Tim Friede has subjected himself to more than 700 doses of lethal snake venom and 200 actual snakebites over the past two decades. Now, his antibodies may lead to a universal antivenom.

By Austin Harvey • May 8, 2025

News

Scientists Are Working To Create A Universal Antivenom — And It’s All Thanks To A Wisconsin Man Who Let Venomous Snakes Bite Him Over 200 Times

Tim Friede has subjected himself to more than 700 doses of lethal snake venom and 200 actual snakebites over the past two decades. Now, his antibodies may lead to a universal antivenom.

By Austin Harvey • May 8, 2025

London Museum Purchases Bizarre Renaissance Painting That Features A Drooling Dragon-Dog For $22 Million

Known as The Virgin and Child with Saints Louis and Margaret, this bizarre depiction of Jesus and Mary was painted by an anonymous artist and is believed to have been created circa 1510 in either the Netherlands or Belgium.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 8, 2025

News

London Museum Purchases Bizarre Renaissance Painting That Features A Drooling Dragon-Dog For $22 Million

Known as The Virgin and Child with Saints Louis and Margaret, this bizarre depiction of Jesus and Mary was painted by an anonymous artist and is believed to have been created circa 1510 in either the Netherlands or Belgium.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 8, 2025

A Fisherman In Turkey Just Discovered A Roman-Era Trident At The Bottom Of A Lake

Osman Erim pulled the trident from the bottom of Lake Iznik in his casting net while out fishing with friends.

By Austin Harvey • May 5, 2025

News

A Fisherman In Turkey Just Discovered A Roman-Era Trident At The Bottom Of A Lake

Osman Erim pulled the trident from the bottom of Lake Iznik in his casting net while out fishing with friends.

By Austin Harvey • May 5, 2025

Is The Yeti Real? Inside 7 Reported Sightings Of The Legendary Creature

The Yeti is an ape-like beast said to roam the Himalayas, and though its existence has never been proven, evidence ranging from footprints to blurry photos has been put forth as proof that the Abominable Snowman is real.

By All That's Interesting • May 4, 2025

Is The Yeti Real? Inside 7 Reported Sightings Of The Legendary Creature

The Yeti is an ape-like beast said to roam the Himalayas, and though its existence has never been proven, evidence ranging from footprints to blurry photos has been put forth as proof that the Abominable Snowman is real.

By All That's Interesting • May 4, 2025

The Mystery Of The Hasanlu Lovers, The Intertwined Skeletons Who Perished In An Ancient Massacre

Discovered locked in an embrace at the moment of death, the Hasanlu Lovers were victims of a bloody massacre that took place in present-day Iran in 800 B.C.E.

By All That's Interesting • May 4, 2025

The Mystery Of The Hasanlu Lovers, The Intertwined Skeletons Who Perished In An Ancient Massacre

Discovered locked in an embrace at the moment of death, the Hasanlu Lovers were victims of a bloody massacre that took place in present-day Iran in 800 B.C.E.

By All That's Interesting • May 4, 2025

Scientists Discover 8,000-Year-Old Drawings Inside A Two-Billion-Year-Old Impact Crater In South Africa

"As scientists, we recognize the special nature of the impact crater, but it was also recognized by ancient inhabitants of the area," a geologist said of the discovery at Vredefort.

By Natasha Ishak • May 2, 2025

Science News

Scientists Discover 8,000-Year-Old Drawings Inside A Two-Billion-Year-Old Impact Crater In South Africa

"As scientists, we recognize the special nature of the impact crater, but it was also recognized by ancient inhabitants of the area," a geologist said of the discovery at Vredefort.

By Natasha Ishak • May 2, 2025

Egyptomania: How Widespread Fascination With Ancient Egypt Has Taken Over The Western World Again And Again

Countless people around the world have been captivated by ancient Egypt since Roman times, but especially after King Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered in 1922, Egyptomania spread across Europe and the United States, influencing art, fashion, and more.

By Austin Harvey • Apr 29, 2025

Egyptomania: How Widespread Fascination With Ancient Egypt Has Taken Over The Western World Again And Again

Countless people around the world have been captivated by ancient Egypt since Roman times, but especially after King Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered in 1922, Egyptomania spread across Europe and the United States, influencing art, fashion, and more.

By Austin Harvey • April 29, 2025