curiosities

The Bizarre History Of Sin Eaters, People Who Were Hired To Literally Consume The Misdeeds Of The Dead

For hundreds of years throughout the British Isles, mourning families hired sin eaters to "consume" their loved ones' unconfessed sins by eating a meal they had placed on the chest of the corpse.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 10, 2022

The Bizarre History Of Sin Eaters, People Who Were Hired To Literally Consume The Misdeeds Of The Dead

For hundreds of years throughout the British Isles, mourning families hired sin eaters to "consume" their loved ones' unconfessed sins by eating a meal they had placed on the chest of the corpse.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 10, 2022

Archaeologists May Have Just Found The Long Lost ‘Temple of Hercules’ In Spain

A close study of topographical data from Spain's coasts may have revealed the lost Temple of Hercules Gaditanus in the Bay of Cádiz.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 10, 2022

News

Archaeologists May Have Just Found The Long Lost ‘Temple of Hercules’ In Spain

A close study of topographical data from Spain's coasts may have revealed the lost Temple of Hercules Gaditanus in the Bay of Cádiz.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 10, 2022

Inside Turkmenistan’s Gates of Hell, The Massive Smoldering Pit That’s Been Burning Since The 1970s

Turkmenistan's "Door to Hell," also called the Darvaza gas crater, is fueled by a reserve of methane gas below the surface — and scientists have no idea how long it will take to burn out.

By Katie Serena • Jan 9, 2022

Inside Turkmenistan’s Gates of Hell, The Massive Smoldering Pit That’s Been Burning Since The 1970s

Turkmenistan's "Door to Hell," also called the Darvaza gas crater, is fueled by a reserve of methane gas below the surface — and scientists have no idea how long it will take to burn out.

By Katie Serena • January 9, 2022

This 2,700-Year-Old Toilet Suggests Ancient Elites In Jerusalem Suffered From Life-Long Parasitic Infections

Researchers found trace remains of roundworm, tapeworm, whipworm, and pinworm in the cesspit beneath the toilet.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 5, 2022

News

This 2,700-Year-Old Toilet Suggests Ancient Elites In Jerusalem Suffered From Life-Long Parasitic Infections

Researchers found trace remains of roundworm, tapeworm, whipworm, and pinworm in the cesspit beneath the toilet.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 5, 2022

Meet Valeria Lukyanova, The ‘Human Barbie’ Who Claims She’s Only Had One Plastic Surgery

Ukrainian model and influencer Valeria Lukyanova has found fame as the real-life Barbie doll — though she claims her doll-like appearance is completely natural.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 2, 2022

Meet Valeria Lukyanova, The ‘Human Barbie’ Who Claims She’s Only Had One Plastic Surgery

Ukrainian model and influencer Valeria Lukyanova has found fame as the real-life Barbie doll — though she claims her doll-like appearance is completely natural.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 2, 2022

The Creepy Confines Of Aokigahara, Japan’s Suicide Forest

Aokigahara Forest has always haunted the poetic imagination. Long ago, it was said to be the home of yūrei, Japanese ghosts. Now it's the final resting place of as many as 100 suicide victims every year.

By All That's Interesting • Jan 2, 2022

The Creepy Confines Of Aokigahara, Japan’s Suicide Forest

Aokigahara Forest has always haunted the poetic imagination. Long ago, it was said to be the home of yūrei, Japanese ghosts. Now it's the final resting place of as many as 100 suicide victims every year.

By All That's Interesting • January 2, 2022

Meet Lonnie Johnson, The NASA Engineer Who Overcame Segregation To Invent The Super Soaker

Lonnie Johnson was born in Alabama in 1949. The odds seemed stacked against him, but the young genius worked his way to NASA and later, to multi-millions.

By Leah Silverman • Jan 1, 2022

Meet Lonnie Johnson, The NASA Engineer Who Overcame Segregation To Invent The Super Soaker

Lonnie Johnson was born in Alabama in 1949. The odds seemed stacked against him, but the young genius worked his way to NASA and later, to multi-millions.

By Leah Silverman • January 1, 2022

What Are Tardigrades? Meet The Most Resilient Animals On Earth

The segmented invertebrates known as tardigrades may be microscopic, but these indestructible "water bears" are planet Earth's most resilient creatures.

By Katie Serena • Dec 29, 2021

What Are Tardigrades? Meet The Most Resilient Animals On Earth

The segmented invertebrates known as tardigrades may be microscopic, but these indestructible "water bears" are planet Earth's most resilient creatures.

By Katie Serena • December 29, 2021

Prada Marfa: The Texas Store Built In The Middle Of Nowhere

Ever since two artists erected Prada Marfa in the Texas desert in October 2005, this daring installation has taken on an unexpected life of its own.

By Aimee Lamoureux • Dec 24, 2021

Prada Marfa: The Texas Store Built In The Middle Of Nowhere

Ever since two artists erected Prada Marfa in the Texas desert in October 2005, this daring installation has taken on an unexpected life of its own.

By Aimee Lamoureux • December 24, 2021

A Trove Of Paul Revere Family Artifacts Was Discovered Behind A Wall In A Massachusetts Attic

The artifacts included iron calipers, a wooden handle, a silk and leather sewing valet, a key, and letters and an account book belonging to Paul Revere’s grandchildren and daughter-in-law.

By Marco Margaritoff • Dec 17, 2021

News

A Trove Of Paul Revere Family Artifacts Was Discovered Behind A Wall In A Massachusetts Attic

The artifacts included iron calipers, a wooden handle, a silk and leather sewing valet, a key, and letters and an account book belonging to Paul Revere’s grandchildren and daughter-in-law.

By Marco Margaritoff • December 17, 2021