curiosities

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

Meet The Yowie, The Bigfoot-Like Cryptid That’s Terrified Australia For Centuries

A 2021 report of a Yowie in Queensland is just another in a long series of alleged encounters with this terrifying creature of Aboriginal myth.

By Kaleena Fraga • Dec 17, 2021

News

Meet The Yowie, The Bigfoot-Like Cryptid That’s Terrified Australia For Centuries

A 2021 report of a Yowie in Queensland is just another in a long series of alleged encounters with this terrifying creature of Aboriginal myth.

By Kaleena Fraga • December 17, 2021

The Asian Giant Hornet, The Bee-Decapitating Hornet That Is The Stuff Of Nightmares

A literally heartless insect known as the "murder hornet" that can sting you repeatedly and land you in the hospital? It's not a nightmare — it's the Asian Giant Hornet.

By Natasha Ishak • Dec 17, 2021

The Asian Giant Hornet, The Bee-Decapitating Hornet That Is The Stuff Of Nightmares

A literally heartless insect known as the "murder hornet" that can sting you repeatedly and land you in the hospital? It's not a nightmare — it's the Asian Giant Hornet.

By Natasha Ishak • December 17, 2021