Rocks - Atlas Obscura
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Santa Barbara, California

Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park

Colorful Native American paintings are hidden within this small cavern.
gauchogirl7 Added by gauchogirl7
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repatriation

Germany Will Return a 15th-Century Cross to Namibia

The 11-foot, 1.1-ton cross could once be glimpsed from the ocean.
May 21, 2019
Usterling, Germany

Growing Rock of Usterling

Nestled within a German forest is an intriguing, growing rock.
rolfschulte74 Added by rolfschulte74
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contest

A Village in France Will Pay You $2,240 to Decipher a Rock

We hope you like reading in all caps.
May 14, 2019
Eastham, Massachusetts

Doane Rock

The largest glacial erratic boulder on Cape Cod.
Added by tehutika
Nga Khin Nyo Gyee Island, Myanmar (Burma)

Boulder Island

This remote island known for its balancing boulder may have inspired Peter Pan's Neverland.
KeithLyons Added by KeithLyons
Nokia, Finland

Pirunpesä (The Devil's Nest)

This honeycomb-textured tafone looks like a petrified troll head.
Added by markokleppanen
Borgholm, Sweden

Neptuni Åkrar

An otherworldly fossil-rich cobble beach marked with Viking graves.
Added by PetterssonMalin
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deserts & desserts

In Jordan, Bedouins Are Preserving Ancient Rock Art With an App

Locals are using their phones to document and assess the engravings of Wadi Rum.
April 22, 2019
Baker, California

Travelers Monument

This large pile of traveler-curated rocks by the dry lakebed is a longstanding tradition on the Old Mojave Road.
leiris Added by leiris
Hamelin Bay, Australia

Hamelin Bay Beach

Incredible rock formations jut from the southern end of this spectacular stingray-viewing spot.
kenhoge Added by kenhoge
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mars

Why Does This Picture From Mars Look Like a Riverbed on Earth?

A familiar sight, millions of miles away.
March 29, 2019
Stockholm, Sweden

Vikingaliv Runestone

Outside a Viking museum sits a modern-day runestone made by a Swedish runemaster using traditional methods.
CoolCrab Added by CoolCrab
Shingleton, Michigan

Chapel Rock

This lone tree and dramatic sandstone outcropping are so beloved by Michiganders they can be found on one of the state’s coins.
Rebecca Byrne Added by Rebecca Byrne
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sailors

Found: Inscriptions by American Whalers, Carved Over Indigenous Australian Petroglyphs

Researchers believe the sailors were commemorating their voyages.
March 08, 2019
Champasak, Laos

Crocodile Stone

This mysteriously shaped boulder may have been used for human sacrifice in ancient times.
Max Cortesi Added by Max Cortesi
Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

Wadi Rum

Known as the "Valley of the Moon," this Jordanian wadi is one of the most amazing desertscapes on Earth.
Andrea IX Added by Andrea IX
Sergelen, Mongolia

Eej Khad (Mother Rock)

Buddhist pilgrims journey to this sacred rock to leave offerings and have their wishes granted.
Max Cortesi Added by Max Cortesi