curiosities

The Truth About Rodents Of Unusual Size, From The Monsters Of Fiction To The Massive Mammals Of Real Life

Rodents of unusual size, or ROUS, are bloodthirsty creatures in The Princess Bride, but their closest counterparts in the real world are capybaras or the massive Bosavi woolly rats of South America.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 28, 2024

The Truth About Rodents Of Unusual Size, From The Monsters Of Fiction To The Massive Mammals Of Real Life

Rodents of unusual size, or ROUS, are bloodthirsty creatures in The Princess Bride, but their closest counterparts in the real world are capybaras or the massive Bosavi woolly rats of South America.

By Austin Harvey • December 28, 2024

The Curious Story Of Operation Highjump, The U.S. Military Expedition To Antarctica In 1946

Just after World War II, the U.S. sent thousands of troops to Antarctica for "training" and "reconnaissance" — but speculation about the mission's true purpose has swirled ever since.

By Amber Morgan • Dec 27, 2024

The Curious Story Of Operation Highjump, The U.S. Military Expedition To Antarctica In 1946

Just after World War II, the U.S. sent thousands of troops to Antarctica for "training" and "reconnaissance" — but speculation about the mission's true purpose has swirled ever since.

By Amber Morgan • December 27, 2024

How Old Was Mary When She Had Jesus? Here’s What The Historical Evidence Says

Considering the Biblical account and ancient Jewish traditions, Mary was likely much younger than you'd expect when she had Jesus.

By Kaleena Fraga • Dec 22, 2024

How Old Was Mary When She Had Jesus? Here’s What The Historical Evidence Says

Considering the Biblical account and ancient Jewish traditions, Mary was likely much younger than you'd expect when she had Jesus.

By Kaleena Fraga • December 22, 2024

Over 150 Years Later, This Is Still The Tallest Couple In History

On the southern leg of the P.T. Barnum's tour, Anna Haining Swan would meet Martin Van Buren Bates. Soon after, they would enter the record books as the world's tallest couple.

By Katie Serena • Dec 17, 2024

Over 150 Years Later, This Is Still The Tallest Couple In History

On the southern leg of the P.T. Barnum's tour, Anna Haining Swan would meet Martin Van Buren Bates. Soon after, they would enter the record books as the world's tallest couple.

By Katie Serena • December 17, 2024

Workers Preparing To Lay Gas Pipes Near The Acropolis Just Happened Upon An Ancient Statue Possibly Depicting Hermes

Believed to depict the Greek messenger god, the statue was uncovered by accident just south of the Acropolis in Athens, near the 1,863-year-old Odeon of Herodes Atticus theater that's still in use today.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 11, 2024

News

Workers Preparing To Lay Gas Pipes Near The Acropolis Just Happened Upon An Ancient Statue Possibly Depicting Hermes

Believed to depict the Greek messenger god, the statue was uncovered by accident just south of the Acropolis in Athens, near the 1,863-year-old Odeon of Herodes Atticus theater that's still in use today.

By Austin Harvey • December 11, 2024

Third Man Syndrome: The Curious Phenomenon In Which People In Danger Feel An Unseen Guiding ‘Presence’

Throughout history, people facing extreme peril have reported feeling an invisible presence that helped lead them to safety, a phenomenon known as third man syndrome.

By Kaleena Fraga • Dec 10, 2024

Third Man Syndrome: The Curious Phenomenon In Which People In Danger Feel An Unseen Guiding ‘Presence’

Throughout history, people facing extreme peril have reported feeling an invisible presence that helped lead them to safety, a phenomenon known as third man syndrome.

By Kaleena Fraga • December 10, 2024

A New Study Has Finally Revealed How Early Bronze Age People Crafted The Nebra Sky Disk

Researchers determined the Nebra Sky Disk was created using a "hot forging" process in which the metal was heated and hammered at least 10 times.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 10, 2024

News

A New Study Has Finally Revealed How Early Bronze Age People Crafted The Nebra Sky Disk

Researchers determined the Nebra Sky Disk was created using a "hot forging" process in which the metal was heated and hammered at least 10 times.

By Austin Harvey • December 10, 2024

Where Was Jesus Born? Inside The Lingering Mysteries Of The Nativity

The Bible states that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, but religious scholars continue to debate the Christian Messiah's exact birthplace, with other candidates including Nazareth and Jerusalem.

By Kaleena Fraga • Dec 5, 2024

Where Was Jesus Born? Inside The Lingering Mysteries Of The Nativity

The Bible states that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, but religious scholars continue to debate the Christian Messiah's exact birthplace, with other candidates including Nazareth and Jerusalem.

By Kaleena Fraga • December 5, 2024

When Did Woolly Mammoths Go Extinct? Inside The Story Of The Prehistoric Creatures’ Demise

Around 10,000 years ago, most woolly mammoths vanished from the Earth — but a small herd survived on Wrangel Island off the coast of Siberia until 1650 B.C.E.

By Erin Kelly • Dec 5, 2024

When Did Woolly Mammoths Go Extinct? Inside The Story Of The Prehistoric Creatures’ Demise

Around 10,000 years ago, most woolly mammoths vanished from the Earth — but a small herd survived on Wrangel Island off the coast of Siberia until 1650 B.C.E.

By Erin Kelly • December 5, 2024

How Pardoning A Thanksgiving Turkey Became An Annual Tradition In The White House

George H. W. Bush was the first U.S. president to formally pardon a turkey, but the heartwarming tradition of sparing birds from the White House holiday table goes back much further than 1989.

By Kaleena Fraga • Nov 27, 2024

How Pardoning A Thanksgiving Turkey Became An Annual Tradition In The White House

George H. W. Bush was the first U.S. president to formally pardon a turkey, but the heartwarming tradition of sparing birds from the White House holiday table goes back much further than 1989.

By Kaleena Fraga • November 27, 2024