curiosities

Egyptian Blue: The Prized Dye Used In Egyptian Mummy Portraits, Roman Frescoes, And Renaissance Masterpieces

The oldest-known synthetic pigment in history, Egyptian Blue was first created more than 5,000 years ago and soon became one of the most sought-after dyes as it adorned tombs, palaces, and statues across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

By Austin Harvey • Jan 24, 2025

Egyptian Blue: The Prized Dye Used In Egyptian Mummy Portraits, Roman Frescoes, And Renaissance Masterpieces

The oldest-known synthetic pigment in history, Egyptian Blue was first created more than 5,000 years ago and soon became one of the most sought-after dyes as it adorned tombs, palaces, and statues across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

By Austin Harvey • January 24, 2025

2,000-Year-Old Headless Statue Found Abandoned In A Garbage Bag Near The Greek City Of Thessaloniki

Measuring 31 inches tall, the statue is made of marble and depicts a woman in a flowing garment, perhaps a goddess, whose head and arms broke off long ago.

By Austin Harvey • Jan 23, 2025

News

2,000-Year-Old Headless Statue Found Abandoned In A Garbage Bag Near The Greek City Of Thessaloniki

Measuring 31 inches tall, the statue is made of marble and depicts a woman in a flowing garment, perhaps a goddess, whose head and arms broke off long ago.

By Austin Harvey • January 23, 2025

3,000-Year-Old Chinese Liquor Found Inside An Owl-Shaped Vessel Uncovered Within A Shang Dynasty Tomb

While experts known that this distilled spirit dates to the Shang Dynasty period in the late second millennium B.C.E. and that it was likely made from fruit or rice, little is certain about how it was created.

By Amber Morgan • Jan 22, 2025

News

3,000-Year-Old Chinese Liquor Found Inside An Owl-Shaped Vessel Uncovered Within A Shang Dynasty Tomb

While experts known that this distilled spirit dates to the Shang Dynasty period in the late second millennium B.C.E. and that it was likely made from fruit or rice, little is certain about how it was created.

By Amber Morgan • January 22, 2025

This Ancient Octagon-Shaped Tomb Uncovers The Cruel History Of Mongol-Ruled China

The walls depict lessons about the importance of respecting one's elders but do so through some grim means.

By Bernadette Deron • Jan 17, 2025

News

This Ancient Octagon-Shaped Tomb Uncovers The Cruel History Of Mongol-Ruled China

The walls depict lessons about the importance of respecting one's elders but do so through some grim means.

By Bernadette Deron • January 17, 2025

Is The Shroud Of Turin Really The Burial Garment Of Jesus Christ?

Stored in Turin, Italy since 1578, the Shroud of Turin seemingly bears the image of a crucified man — who some believe was Jesus of Nazareth.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 14, 2025

Is The Shroud Of Turin Really The Burial Garment Of Jesus Christ?

Stored in Turin, Italy since 1578, the Shroud of Turin seemingly bears the image of a crucified man — who some believe was Jesus of Nazareth.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 14, 2025

The Hope Diamond, A Breathtaking Gem With A History Of Tragedy, Loss, And Misfortune

A 45.52-carat deep-blue gemstone from India, the Hope Diamond is one of the world's most beautiful gems — but is it also cursed?

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 13, 2025

The Hope Diamond, A Breathtaking Gem With A History Of Tragedy, Loss, And Misfortune

A 45.52-carat deep-blue gemstone from India, the Hope Diamond is one of the world's most beautiful gems — but is it also cursed?

By Kaleena Fraga • January 13, 2025

Researchers Identify A Roman Gladiator With Scandinavian Ancestry In York — Hundreds Of Years Before The Vikings Arrived In England

The discovery of a Roman gladiator with Scandinavian DNA raises new questions about migration patterns in early Europe.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 9, 2025

News

Researchers Identify A Roman Gladiator With Scandinavian Ancestry In York — Hundreds Of Years Before The Vikings Arrived In England

The discovery of a Roman gladiator with Scandinavian DNA raises new questions about migration patterns in early Europe.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 9, 2025

11-Year-Old Boy Stumbles Upon 2,500-Year-Old Fertility Amulet In Israel

Zvi Ben-David was on a hike with his family near the Besor River when he suddenly noticed a strange object. When he picked it up, he realized that it was a ceramic figurine of a woman.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 7, 2025

News

11-Year-Old Boy Stumbles Upon 2,500-Year-Old Fertility Amulet In Israel

Zvi Ben-David was on a hike with his family near the Besor River when he suddenly noticed a strange object. When he picked it up, he realized that it was a ceramic figurine of a woman.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 7, 2025

Hypatia Of Alexandria, The Ancient Greek Intellectual Stoned To Death By A Christian Mob

One of the few women in Ancient Greek academe, Hypatia of Alexandria was a renowned philosopher and mathematician — and she was killed because of it.

By Abby Norman • Jan 7, 2025

Hypatia Of Alexandria, The Ancient Greek Intellectual Stoned To Death By A Christian Mob

One of the few women in Ancient Greek academe, Hypatia of Alexandria was a renowned philosopher and mathematician — and she was killed because of it.

By Abby Norman • January 7, 2025

The Strange Saga Of Mehran Karimi Nasseri, The Alleged Iranian Exile Who Lived At Charles De Gaulle Airport For 18 Years

Stuck in legal limbo, Mehran Karimi Nasseri lived at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris between 1988 and 2006, and inspired the 2004 film “The Terminal.”

By Austin Harvey • Jan 5, 2025

The Strange Saga Of Mehran Karimi Nasseri, The Alleged Iranian Exile Who Lived At Charles De Gaulle Airport For 18 Years

Stuck in legal limbo, Mehran Karimi Nasseri lived at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris between 1988 and 2006, and inspired the 2004 film “The Terminal.”

By Austin Harvey • January 5, 2025