religion

Archaeologists Find Evidence That The Maya Turned Their Rulers’ Remains Into Rubber Balls For The Game Of Pelota

The ancient game of pelota was a deeply meaningful tradition to Mesoamerican cultures and was intimately linked to life, death, and the gods.

By Austin Harvey • Aug 10, 2022

News

Archaeologists Find Evidence That The Maya Turned Their Rulers’ Remains Into Rubber Balls For The Game Of Pelota

The ancient game of pelota was a deeply meaningful tradition to Mesoamerican cultures and was intimately linked to life, death, and the gods.

By Austin Harvey • August 10, 2022

The Story Of Marshall Applewhite, The Unhinged Cult Leader Who Orchestrated A Mass Poisoning

As founder of the California-based Heaven's Gate cult, Marshall Applewhite and 38 of his followers died by suicide in March 1997 to ascend to an Earth-saving spaceship.

By Genevieve Carlton • Aug 9, 2022

The Story Of Marshall Applewhite, The Unhinged Cult Leader Who Orchestrated A Mass Poisoning

As founder of the California-based Heaven's Gate cult, Marshall Applewhite and 38 of his followers died by suicide in March 1997 to ascend to an Earth-saving spaceship.

By Genevieve Carlton • August 9, 2022

65 Shockingly Normal Pictures Of Life For The Members Of The Peoples Temple At Jonestown

Jonestown was never self-sufficient. Peoples Temple members worked hard to sustain the group's life there — until the day they committed mass suicide.

By Marco Margaritoff • Aug 8, 2022

65 Shockingly Normal Pictures Of Life For The Members Of The Peoples Temple At Jonestown

Jonestown was never self-sufficient. Peoples Temple members worked hard to sustain the group's life there — until the day they committed mass suicide.

By Marco Margaritoff • August 8, 2022

Brian David Mitchell, The Deranged Street Preacher Who Kidnapped Elizabeth Smart

In 2002, Brian David Mitchell abducted Elizabeth Smart in Salt Lake City because he believed he was a "prophet" who needed seven virgin wives to fulfill his mission.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jul 27, 2022

Brian David Mitchell, The Deranged Street Preacher Who Kidnapped Elizabeth Smart

In 2002, Brian David Mitchell abducted Elizabeth Smart in Salt Lake City because he believed he was a "prophet" who needed seven virgin wives to fulfill his mission.

By Kaleena Fraga • July 27, 2022

Inside Pamukkale And The Mystical ‘Cotton Castle’ Healing Pools Of Turkey

Filled with calcium-coated cliffs and mineral pools, Pamukkale is a UNESCO Heritage Site in southwestern Turkey that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.

By Katie Serena • Jun 25, 2022

Inside Pamukkale And The Mystical ‘Cotton Castle’ Healing Pools Of Turkey

Filled with calcium-coated cliffs and mineral pools, Pamukkale is a UNESCO Heritage Site in southwestern Turkey that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.

By Katie Serena • June 25, 2022

Meet Adam Weishaupt, The German Philosopher Who Founded The Illuminati In 1776

While many are familiar with conspiracy theories claiming that the Illuminati had a hand in events like the French Revolution or the assassination of John F. Kennedy, few know the story of the organization's founder, Adam Weishaupt.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jun 23, 2022

Meet Adam Weishaupt, The German Philosopher Who Founded The Illuminati In 1776

While many are familiar with conspiracy theories claiming that the Illuminati had a hand in events like the French Revolution or the assassination of John F. Kennedy, few know the story of the organization's founder, Adam Weishaupt.

By Kaleena Fraga • June 23, 2022

The Rise And Fall Of The Janissaries, The Ottoman Empire’s Elite Military Force

Beginning in the Late Middle Ages, Ottoman soldiers abducted children from Christian families and forced them into the Janissaries, one of the fiercest armies in history.

By Natasha Ishak • Jun 10, 2022

The Rise And Fall Of The Janissaries, The Ottoman Empire’s Elite Military Force

Beginning in the Late Middle Ages, Ottoman soldiers abducted children from Christian families and forced them into the Janissaries, one of the fiercest armies in history.

By Natasha Ishak • June 10, 2022

Why David Koresh Might Be History’s Most Disturbing Cult Leader

The self-described prophet of the Branch Davidians cult, David Koresh led his followers into the Waco siege that left 76 of them dead in April 1993.

By Katie Serena • Jun 9, 2022

Why David Koresh Might Be History’s Most Disturbing Cult Leader

The self-described prophet of the Branch Davidians cult, David Koresh led his followers into the Waco siege that left 76 of them dead in April 1993.

By Katie Serena • June 9, 2022

Mexican Megachurch Leader Naasón Joaquín García Pleads Guilty To Child Sex Abuse

The leader of Mexico's La Luz del Mundo church and self-proclaimed Apostle of God on Earth faces more than 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to three charges.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jun 7, 2022

News

Mexican Megachurch Leader Naasón Joaquín García Pleads Guilty To Child Sex Abuse

The leader of Mexico's La Luz del Mundo church and self-proclaimed Apostle of God on Earth faces more than 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to three charges.

By Marco Margaritoff • June 7, 2022

Archaeologists Just Uncovered Secret Tunnels And An Ancient Chamber Beneath Peru’s Chavín de Huántar Temple

Archeologists first noticed a duct in 2019 that opened up into the ceremonial chamber since dubbed the Condor Gallery.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jun 3, 2022

News

Archaeologists Just Uncovered Secret Tunnels And An Ancient Chamber Beneath Peru’s Chavín de Huántar Temple

Archeologists first noticed a duct in 2019 that opened up into the ceremonial chamber since dubbed the Condor Gallery.

By Kaleena Fraga • June 3, 2022