Stories - Atlas Obscura

The Restaurants at the End of the World

Some chefs seek adventure on distant islands and within far-flung forests.

A Hidden Caravaggio Masterpiece, An Inheritance Feud, and a Roman Villa up for Sale

The future of a mysterious painting by the famed 17th-century "rebel artist" hangs in the balance.

How Olive Oil and Coffee Came Together in a Cup

At first glance olives and coffee might seem to go together like, well, oil and water. But these Italian essentials possess deep cultural similarities—not to mention complementary flavors.

Podcast: Great Balls of Twine with the Places Team

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

Puzzle Monday: Pointing the Way

How Njoya the Great Put His African Kingdom on the Map

A representation of the Bamum kingdom is a rare example of early-20th-century indigenous African cartography.

The Forgotten Women Aquanauts of the 1970s

These scientists spent weeks underwater doing research—and convincing NASA women could also go into space.

Were These Beetles Once as Valuable as Gemstones?

Archaeologists believe jewelry made from the bugs was a coveted status symbol 2,000 years ago.

How the Best Underwater Photography Reveals a World of Wonder

Welcome to the home of pink coral-scapes and fluorescent lizardfish.

7 Recent Atlas Obscura Podcast Episodes You Just Have to Hear

For our two-year pod-iversary we're headed back to some of the coolest places we've taken you recently.

african-american

Beneath an Old Fireplace, Evidence of the Spirituality of the Enslaved

The finds are also enriching understanding of the formative years of famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

This Arctic Ichthyosaur Should Not Exist

A marine reptile fossil from Svalbard challenges ideas about evolution and Earth’s greatest mass extinction.

Meet the Women Behind the Heritage Food Revival

From Ukrainian pelmeni to Appalachian fried fish, these innovators are drawing on generations of culinary wisdom.

Who Was the Red Lady of Paviland?

The 33,000-year-old skeleton was taken from Wales two centuries ago—is it time for the bones to go home?

Puzzle Monday: Meet Some Obscure Livestock Crossword

The Delicious Universe of Asian Culinary Comics

These food cartoons fight stereotypes, share memories, and tell forgotten histories.

archive of wonder

8 Stories of Women Making History Right Now

This Women's History Month, we celebrate women doing extraordinary things all over the world.

Europe’s Oldest Map Shows Tiny Bronze Age Kingdom

Discovered in 1900, the Saint-Bélec slab languished unrecognized in a castle basement for over a century.