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Research Suggests That An 11th-Century Monk Discovered Halley’s Comet 600 Years Before Astronomer Edmond Halley

Halley's Comet is named after Edmond Halley, the British astronomer who first identified it as a periodic comet in the 18th century — but new research has revealed that a monk named Eilmer of Malmesbury actually discovered the comet's cyclical appearance 600 years earlier.

By Austin Harvey • Jan 26, 2026

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Research Suggests That An 11th-Century Monk Discovered Halley’s Comet 600 Years Before Astronomer Edmond Halley

Halley's Comet is named after Edmond Halley, the British astronomer who first identified it as a periodic comet in the 18th century — but new research has revealed that a monk named Eilmer of Malmesbury actually discovered the comet's cyclical appearance 600 years earlier.

By Austin Harvey • January 26, 2026

A Metal Detectorist In Germany Just Happened Upon A 1,000-Year-Old Cross Featuring Jesus Surrounded By A Wheel

Known as a "wheel cross," this type of totem was common when the region first began to embrace Christianity in the 10th and 11th centuries.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 26, 2026

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A Metal Detectorist In Germany Just Happened Upon A 1,000-Year-Old Cross Featuring Jesus Surrounded By A Wheel

Known as a "wheel cross," this type of totem was common when the region first began to embrace Christianity in the 10th and 11th centuries.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 26, 2026

George Everest, The English Surveyor Who Is The Namesake Of Mount Everest

George Everest wasn't a mountaineer and never laid eyes on Mount Everest — so how did the world's highest mountain come to bear his name?

By William DeLong • Jan 25, 2026

George Everest, The English Surveyor Who Is The Namesake Of Mount Everest

George Everest wasn't a mountaineer and never laid eyes on Mount Everest — so how did the world's highest mountain come to bear his name?

By William DeLong • January 25, 2026

The Tragic Story Of Adam Rainer, The Man Who Went From Dwarf To Giant

When Adam Rainer turned 18 he was under four and a half feet tall. A little more than 15 years later he would be 7'1" — tall enough to be classified as a giant.

By Kara Goldfarb • Jan 24, 2026

The Tragic Story Of Adam Rainer, The Man Who Went From Dwarf To Giant

When Adam Rainer turned 18 he was under four and a half feet tall. A little more than 15 years later he would be 7'1" — tall enough to be classified as a giant.

By Kara Goldfarb • January 24, 2026

The Chilling Story Of Mary Bell, The 10-Year-Old Murderer Who Strangled Two Boys

Serial killer Mary Bell was 11 years old when she was sentenced to life in prison for killing two toddlers in 1968 — but she now lives in anonymity after being freed just 12 years later.

By Leah Silverman • Jan 23, 2026

The Chilling Story Of Mary Bell, The 10-Year-Old Murderer Who Strangled Two Boys

Serial killer Mary Bell was 11 years old when she was sentenced to life in prison for killing two toddlers in 1968 — but she now lives in anonymity after being freed just 12 years later.

By Leah Silverman • January 23, 2026

Archaeologists Preparing For Development In Eastern Rome Happened Upon Ancient Tombs And A Shrine To Hercules

Found in the Pietralata district's Parco delle Acacie, this site was continuously developed and occupied from the 5th century B.C.E. to the 3rd century C.E.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 23, 2026

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Archaeologists Preparing For Development In Eastern Rome Happened Upon Ancient Tombs And A Shrine To Hercules

Found in the Pietralata district's Parco delle Acacie, this site was continuously developed and occupied from the 5th century B.C.E. to the 3rd century C.E.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 23, 2026

The Chilling Story Of Otto Skorzeny, Hitler’s Scar-Faced Henchman Who Later Worked For Israel

One of Adolf Hitler's favorite commandos, Otto Skorzeny first became internationally known for rescuing Benito Mussolini from prison during World War II — but Skorzeny's life would take many twists and turns after the war was over.

By Daniel Rennie • Jan 23, 2026

The Chilling Story Of Otto Skorzeny, Hitler’s Scar-Faced Henchman Who Later Worked For Israel

One of Adolf Hitler's favorite commandos, Otto Skorzeny first became internationally known for rescuing Benito Mussolini from prison during World War II — but Skorzeny's life would take many twists and turns after the war was over.

By Daniel Rennie • January 23, 2026

Meet Aimo Koivunen, The Soldier Who Survived WWII Thanks To Accidentally Overdosing On Meth

In 1944, Finnish soldier Aimo Koivunen got separated from his unit and survived for weeks inside the Arctic Circle without food or shelter — fueled by a dose of meth large enough for 30 men.

By Genevieve Carlton • Jan 21, 2026

Meet Aimo Koivunen, The Soldier Who Survived WWII Thanks To Accidentally Overdosing On Meth

In 1944, Finnish soldier Aimo Koivunen got separated from his unit and survived for weeks inside the Arctic Circle without food or shelter — fueled by a dose of meth large enough for 30 men.

By Genevieve Carlton • January 21, 2026

New Study Uses Imaging Technology To Reveal Previously Unseen Graffiti And Love Messages On The Walls Of Pompeii

Researchers were able to pick up faint traces of graffiti, love notes, and more along a stretch of wall in Pompeii.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 21, 2026

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New Study Uses Imaging Technology To Reveal Previously Unseen Graffiti And Love Messages On The Walls Of Pompeii

Researchers were able to pick up faint traces of graffiti, love notes, and more along a stretch of wall in Pompeii.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 21, 2026

A Metal Detectorist In England Unearthed A Roman Figurine Depicting A Big Cat Pawing A Man’s Severed Head

Found in Harlow, Essex in 2024, this 1,800-year-old copper figure is believed to have been mounted to the strap that yoked a carriage to the animal that was pulling it.

By Austin Harvey • Jan 21, 2026

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A Metal Detectorist In England Unearthed A Roman Figurine Depicting A Big Cat Pawing A Man’s Severed Head

Found in Harlow, Essex in 2024, this 1,800-year-old copper figure is believed to have been mounted to the strap that yoked a carriage to the animal that was pulling it.

By Austin Harvey • January 21, 2026