Rituals and Traditions
Treat Yourself to 15 Eerie Images Celebrating Halloween
These highlights from the Smithsonian Photo Contest are sure to scare up some smiles
See the Face of an Inca Teenager Killed in a Ritual Sacrifice 500 Years Ago
The mummified girl, known as "Juanita," was found in 1995 on Peru's Ampato volcano
Groundhogs Are Old News. In This Tiny Town, Caterpillars Predict the Weather
Thousands of people flocked to Banner Elk, North Carolina, this year to watch the nation’s biggest woolly worm caterpillar race
How the Zamboni Revolutionized Fun on the Ice
The story behind the most efficient—and intriguing—piece of hardware in all of sports
Earthquake in Mexico City Reveals 500-Year-Old Aztec Snakehead
The nearly six-foot-long sculpture features well-preserved colors on 80 percent of its surface
The History of Trick-or-Treating Goes Back Centuries
From the ancient Celts to medieval English, the Halloween tradition precedes the costumed children who will soon swarm your block
1,000-Year-Old Sword and Cemetery Unearthed in Finland
Researchers identified eight burials, but they say the graveyard may hold dozens—or even hundreds—waiting to be discovered
The Worldwide History of Tattoos
Ancient ink exhibited religious faith, relieved pain, protected wearers and indicated class
Fall Into Autumn With These 15 Foliage Photos
These highlights from the Smithsonian Photo Contest celebrate the season
Pennsylvania Mummy Gets a Proper Burial After 128 Years in a Funeral Home
Nicknamed "Stoneman Willie," the man visited the town of Reading for a convention of firefighters in 1895
Stunning 16th-Century Turkish Bath Reopens in Istanbul
The revitalized space will feature a museum and contemporary art in addition to traditional bathing
Mysterious 3,800-Year-Old Canaanite Arch and Stairway Unearthed in Israel
Researchers don't know the purpose of the brick arch, which leads to a set of stairs descending deeper underground
These 15 Photos Explore the Diversity and Rich Culture of Latino Americans
For Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through October 15, enjoy these highlights from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
Amateur Metal Detectorist Makes 'Gold Find of the Century' in Norway
Erlend Bore unearthed a trove of 1,500-year-old gold jewelry—just months after he picked up the hobby
1,000-Year-Old Mummy With a Full Head of Hair Discovered in Peru
The remains belonged to the Ychsma culture, a group that lived in present-day Peru before the Inca came to power
Parisian Booksellers Have Lined the Seine for Centuries. Now, They're Fighting to Stay
Ahead of the 2024 Olympics, city officials are trying to relocate the bouquinistes for security reasons
These Ancient Japanese Islanders Created a Signature Skull Shape by Molding Babies' Heads
Some 1,800 years ago, the Hirota people practiced intentional cranial modification
These 15 Photos Capture the Joy of the Fair
It’s fair to say these highlights from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest are worth a trip down the midway
Metal Detectorists Discover 2,000-Year-Old Gold Coins in Wales
The 15 artifacts are the first Iron Age gold coins ever found in the country
The Puppets Take Manhattan, Celebrating a Rich Global Art Form
The International Puppet Fringe Festival honored puppeteer Ralph Lee, who died earlier this year
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