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For millennia, this cosmological principle guided everything from calendars to urban planning.

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Spomenik Mramor

Kneževo, Serbia

A neglected spomenik overlooking the beautiful Kopaonik Mountains.

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  • Page, Arizona

    Boiler Tube Slot Canyon

    This unique art installation used boiler tubes from a decommissioned power plant to resemble Antelope Canyon.

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    Yazoo City, Mississippi

    Yazoo City Main Street

    A downtown filled with nearly deserted historic buildings was revived as a pastel paradise.

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  • Asakusa Underground Street.

    Tokyo, Japan

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    Stuck in a bygone era, the oldest subterranean shopping street in Japan hides beneath the popular Asakusa district of Tokyo.

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    Zurich, Switzerland

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    Wilmington, Delaware

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    Malacca, Malaysia

    Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum

    This gorgeous Peranakan mansion’s family heritage includes a century-old baby gate, which was also used to keep out irresponsible husbands.

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    A bizarre statue of a Buddhist goddess made from 20,000 insects.

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    Shoshone, California

    Dublin Gulch

    A unique collection of old miners' cave homes carved in to the hillside cliffs near Death Valley.

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The Extremely Enchanting, Totally Perplexing, Possibly Never-Ending Quest for the Golden Owl

For 30 years, this labyrinthine treasure hunt has had thousands of players cracking codes and digging up the French countryside. After a sudden death and bitter disputes, will the prize ever be found?

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  • Brigadier General Benedict Arnold lost the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain in 1776—as well as several of the young navy's ships, including the gunboat Spitfire—but the skirmish bought the Continental Army much-needed time in the war.

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  • This vintage map, published in 1864 by H.H. Lloyd of New York, reflects anti-secession sentiment by taking secession to an extreme conclusion.

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  • The Ga Hiti in the Thamel neighborhood is one of many spouts that provide life-giving water to the people of Kathmandu.

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    The Lost Waters of Kathmandu Are Needed Now More Than Ever

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  • For perhaps thousands of years, local Cappadocians retreated underground when enemies approached. Their subterranean city, illustrated here, was rediscovered by accident.

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  • Marzipan was originally flavored with toxic bitter almond.

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  • The Ancient Greeks often decorated pottery used during parties with scenes from those events, like this symopsium (drinking party) attendee getting sick from too much wine.

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