The Past
All Stories
The mysterious origins of human sacrifice
Human sacrifice appears to be as old as humanity itself. Still, experts disagree on how and where the practice first originated.
A Russian mathematician rewrote world history — and it is bonkers
Searching for truth in unorthodox ways can be a valuable exercise. But Anatoly Fomenko's alternate world history is just plain weird.
Ancient technology that was centuries ahead of its time
These astounding inventions show that civilizations of the past were a lot more advanced than we might have thought.
Exotic animals and their strange relationship with ancient Greeks and Romans
To the ancient Greeks, exotic animals were proof of mythological creatures. To the ancient Romans, they were oddities and adversaries.
Found: Largest known Native American cave art, hidden in plain sight
A recent advance in 3D imaging techniques helped spark the biggest ever discovery of North American cave art.
Was there an intelligent civilization before humans existed?
Was there an intelligent, technologically advanced species long before humans existed? Could there have been a dinosaur civilization?
Hitler’s SS: How do ordinary people become sociopathic Nazis?
Were Hitler’s SS henchmen willing executioners fueled by racial propaganda or mindless servants vying for promotions?
Did ancient Greek philosophers believe in aliens?
Speculation about the existence of aliens goes all the way back at least to the Greek philosophers. Their arguments will sound familiar.
How climate shaped 2 million years of human evolution
The simulation gave researchers some of the first concrete data linking climate change to human evolution and speciation.
Archaeologists find earliest known evidence of the infamous Mayan calendar
The Mayan calendar is revered for its impeccable accuracy. Now, a recent excavation in Guatemala reveals how the system developed over time.
The surprising reason Inca children were drugged before human sacrifice
A toxicological study shows that the victims of human sacrifice consumed coca leaves and ayahuasca before they were killed, but not for reasons we originally thought.
Archaeological site shows Nubian civilization that flourished in ancient Sudan
The underground burial tombs were used at least as far back as 2500 B.C.
The strange case of Benedetta Carlini: how the Catholic Church investigated fraudulent saints
"Immodest Acts" tells the story of Benedetta Carlini, a lesbian nun who claimed to be a mystic visionary but failed to convince the leaders of her faith.
Why some religious leaders denounced Benjamin Franklin’s lightning rod
Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod saved countless lives, but some religious leaders denounced his invention.
Mysterious “population hub” was a starting point for ancient human migration
Archaic humans ventured into Eurasia in waves, not always successfully. They may have started their journey in North Africa or West Asia.
Ancient stone jars in India remain a mystery to modern researchers
The Assam stone jars were described as early as 1929. Almost a century later, archaeologists still puzzle over their placement and purpose.
Homo sapiens is #9. Who were the eight other human species?
There were at least eight other human species, some of whom existed for far longer than we have. Who were they?
Clovis debunked: America’s first settlers did not take the ice-free corridor
The "Clovis First" hypothesis for human settlement of North and South America has just been debunked. Where do we go from here?
The foul and the fragrant: what did the past smell like?
Most cities reeked of death, defecation, and industrial waste. Still, focusing only on stench means turning a blind eye (or nose) to the many other smells that helped shape human history.
Why Mikhail Gorbachev let the Soviet Union dissolve quietly into history
To Vladimir Putin, a young KGB colonel at the time, the decision was a colossal mistake.
Biological Big Bang: How we solved Darwin’s dilemma
Scientists across a range of disciplines have helped solve Darwin's dilemma.
How the Protestant Reformation set the stage for the Scientific Revolution
By toppling medieval Europe’s mightiest political power, the Protestant Reformation ushered in a new age of freedom, religious and otherwise.
Endurance captain Frank Worsley’s incredible navigation skills
“I watched closely for the sun or stars to appear, to correct my chronometer, on the accuracy of which our lives and the success of the journey would depend.”
Cold water giants: Megalodon may have adapted its size to water temperature
The way that the ancient Megalodon adapted to water temperature has important implications for modern marine creatures.
Global living standards have soared since the 19th century. Why are some regions left behind?
Understanding the factors behind recent growth could help us better approach inequality.
Ancient fashion: 3,200-year-old pants on Chinese mummy are like modern-day jeans
The design was as intricate as that of modern-day, factory-fabricated denim jeans, and just as durable. The ancients had fashion.
A tale of two shipwrecks: Endurance and Atlanta
At the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society in Michigan, retrieving sunken vessels is the order of the day. Here’s how they do it.