Stories - Atlas Obscura

Found: The World's Oldest Footprints, Made by Ancient Bugs

They are tiny but mightily impactful.

The Mysterious Illness Affecting U.S. Diplomats in Cuba Has Spread to China

Scientists still haven’t figured out why or how the symptoms started.

When Two Economists Scientifically Ranked New York's Best Deli Sandwiches

The Madansky-Shubik experiment settled one beef and started many more.

A New Life for Ugandan Barkcloth, a Fabric Made From Fig Trees

The ancient textile has survived wars, colonialism, and global trade.

The Lost Newspaper Archives of Black Chicago Are Now at Your Fingertips

The Obsidian Collection and Google are bringing historic African-American media outlets online.

The Ninety-Nines Was Amelia Earhart’s Club for Female Aviators

Runner-up name choices included Gadflies, Noisy Birdwomen, and Homing Pigeons.

A Firm Is Now Making Fish Food From Whisky

Unfortunately, it won't make the salmon taste like scotch.

Organic Farmers Are Using Flamethrowers to Weed Their Fields

Burn, broadleaf weeds, burn!

Found: Tooth Gunk That Shows Mesolithic Mediterraneans Ate Fish and Plants

Questionable dental hygiene in a man from the 8th millennium B.C. unveils early omnivore tendencies.

The Impending Doom of the Largest Iceberg Anyone's Ever Measured

One of the last pieces of the chunk known as B-15 is cracking up.

History’s Greatest Potato Promoter Relied on Science and Stunts

Before Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, the French considered the tuber disgusting and poisonous.

A Gorilla Poop Treasure Hunt Through Central Africa's Virunga Volcanoes

How researchers collect genetic info without disturbing the majestic primates.

Exploring the Hidden Waterways of Florida's Paradise Coast

How to spend three obscure days wandering the Everglades, the Ten Thousand Islands, and Big Cypress Swamp.

When Researchers Used IHOP to Determine if Kansas Is Flatter Than a Pancake

Delicious, and helpful.

What Will Your National Dish Look Like in 2050?

We want to know your predictions for the future's culinary landscape.

A Fire Has Broken Out at Chernobyl

Authorities are thus far unconcerned about radiation levels.

What's the Most Surprising Roadside Hotel You've Stayed In?

We want to hear about the unforgettable places you've dared to lay your head.

Meet the Boosters Celebrating the World's Best Bollards

These pieces of infrastructure can be an unexpected source of delight.