Animals
July 2, 2023

19th-Century Map Shows That Beaver Dams Can Last Over a Century

The American beaver is a mighty creature. Once incredibly numerous, they figured heavily in indigenous worldviews in the Americas. When Europeans arrived, they prized the beaver for its pelt, and it was hunted almost to extinction over the following centuries. However, these small mammals have been part of another enduring legacy through their effect on the changing American landscape.

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Art History
July 1, 2023

The Stories and Symbolism Behind 10 of Frida Kahlo’s Most Famous Paintings

Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is renowned for her symbolic subject matter, colorful canvases, and extensive series of self-portraits. Inspired by “whatever passes through [her] head without any other consideration,” her paintings are deeply personal. Given the intimate and emblematic nature of her pieces, their messages and motifs may seem too obscure to interpret. When viewed through a contextual lens, however, the meanings behind her poignant paintings begin to materialize.

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Photography
July 1, 2023

Uncanny Human Portraits Depict People Only Through Their Circulatory Systems

In a collaborative effort between photographer Jan Kriwol and CGI artist Markos Kay, uncanny human figures occupy normal everyday spaces. The series, titled Human After All, features hyperrealistic renditions of people without skin, muscle, or bones—instead, depicting them as just their circulatory systems. Yet, despite their pared-down appearance, they are shown interacting with familiar environments, such as restaurants and grocery stores in a completely ordinary manner.

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Archeology
June 30, 2023

Archeologists Discover ”Pizza” in an Ancient Pompeii Mural

Pizza is a perfect meal—filling, flavorful, endlessly varied by toppings. This Italian delicacy has won over the world in the recent centuries of globalization, and it remains a national treasure of Italy, especially Naples. So naturally, the pizza-loving world got excited when a new discovery of a mural in Pompeii—the Italian city frozen in time by a volcano—appeared to feature what looked like a deep dish classic.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.