Analysis
Pieces
Tyrian Purple Cost More Than Gold in Ancient Times
In the ancient Mediterranean, a violet-red dye fascinated people as much as it ruined those who wanted to wear it. Tyrian purple,
Van Gogh sold only one painting in his lifetime
It's hard today to imagine the art world without the blazing sunflowers or the swirling starry night of Vincent van Gogh. His
The Pirahã people of the Amazon have no words for numbers
Deep in the Brazilian rainforest lives a small people whose language has, for decades, unsettled some of the most firmly established theories
The World's Oldest National Anthem Dates Back to the 16th Century
When people think of national anthems, their minds spontaneously turn to relatively recent compositions, often born during the great waves of national
Sushi Was Invented to Preserve Fish, Not to Eat It Raw
When people think of sushi today, the image that immediately comes to mind is that of raw, fresh fish, precisely sliced by
The Romans Had Already Invented Central Heating 2000 Years Ago
When people think of the Roman Empire, they picture paved roads, monumental aqueducts, and disciplined legions. Central heating rarely comes to mind.
The Hiroshima Ginkgo Trees, Living Survivors of the Atomic Bomb
On August 6, 1945, the city of Hiroshima was struck by the first atomic bomb ever used against a civilian population, an
Antarctica, the Only Continent Where War Is Banned
Among all the continents on the planet, Antarctica occupies a singular place in international law: no military activity, no nuclear testing, and
The Code of Hammurabi, carved almost 3,800 years ago
Among the most fascinating treasures on display at the Louvre Museum, a black diorite stele more than two meters tall draws thousands