May 26, 2022

TALKEETNA, ALASKA  Dr. Seuss House (The Goose Creek Tower)  Hidden in the sparse woods outside Talkeetna, Alaska, is a bizarrely singular home known by locals as the Dr. Seuss House, though that isn’t what its creator calls it. While this whimsical house has no direct relation to the famed author, it is easy to see how the structure got its nickname.  READ MORE → GASTRO OBSCURA Blackfeet Tea Herbal teas are an important part of Blackfeet traditional medicine. They’re used for both physical and mental health, to help with anything from stomach aches to tiredness. They also provide a spiritual connection to the land, since their ingredients are traditionally foraged. But those foraging skills have become rare; few people know where to find plants or when to harvest them. Enter Danielle Antelope, who marshaled activists and gardeners to grow medicinal plants to root the knowledge back in the local community. READ MORE → A QUESTION OF IDENTITY The Case of the Mysterious Ship The Shipwreck Coast in Victoria, Australia, is a dramatic 80-mile stretch of jagged cliffs and towering dunes. Between the mid-18th and early 19th centuries, it’s estimated that nearly 700 ships wrecked along this coastline. In Warrnambool alone—the coastline’s largest city—29 shipwrecks rest at the bottom of the bay. One of those wrecked vessels is believed to be a 16th-century Portuguese caravel known as the Mahogany Ship. There’s just a small issue: The ship may not be from the 16th century. Or even Portuguese. Yet, Warrnambool’s identity largely revolves around the legend of this Portuguese ship, even hosting a Portuguese cultural festival every two years. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES | STARTS 6/15 Adobe Art and Architecture Explore the history and cultural context of adobe and learn the basics of designing and building adobe architecture. We’ll look at the history and cultural heritage significance of adobe in New Mexico, the politics surrounding it, and the people and organizations promoting adobe architecture today. We’ll then dive into the methods of building adobe architecture. ENROLL TODAY → COIN CHRONICLES Maine’s Viking Penny In 1956, a pair of amateur archaeologists discovered a coin on the shores of Maine. For years, the story was that the coin was minted in 12th-century England, and no one questioned that identification. That is, until a London dealer caught sight of a picture of the coin. As it turns out, the coin was a Norse penny, made between 1065 and 1093—evidence for Viking contact with North America centuries before Columbus. How did it get there? READ MORE → SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA Sonic Runway These large metal circles look totally innocuous in the daytime, but turn into a skater and photographer’s magnet at night. Zooming through the tunnel at speed almost feels like zipping through a wormhole, and synchronized music timed to the rippling lights makes for a trippy experience. Said tunnel is called the Sonic Runway, which was conceived as a Burning Man installation, and it’s made several appearances at the festival before its San José debut. READ MORE → THE ATLAS OBSCURA PODCAST Carhenge In this episode of The Atlas Obscura Podcast, we visit an experimental automotive replica of Stonehenge, which has become a symbol of the town of Alliance, Nebraska. But it’s been a long and winding road to get here, since residents haven’t always been fans. CUTE OR NOT: MARMOSET EDITION Please, Help This Marmoset This picture is of a buffy-tufted-ear marmoset. And yes, we know—it can look mildly uncharismatic, which hasn’t always helped its appeal to the general public. But the truth is, the populations of buffy-tufted-ear marmosets are plummeting, partially due to the invasive common marmoset, which wreaks havoc on the food chain. Common marmosets have gotten away with it for one, very specific reason: They’re adorable. Spare a thought for the buffy-tufted-ear marmoset, won’t you? READ MORE → SAINT-BREVIN-LES-PINS, FRANCE Serpent D'Océan Entitled Serpent D’Océan, this skeletal sea serpent was unveiled in 2012 as part of the Estuaire art exhibition which invited international artists to create large-scale works using the environment surrounding the Loire River between Nantes and Saint-Nazaire. The work was created by Chinese-French artist Huang Yong Ping, who used the rough iconography of China’s mythological dragons to design the 400-foot-long art monster. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS Tunisia Through the Sands of Time Loop through a myriad of unique landscapes, wander through winding medinas, relax by ancient oases, and cross a multicolored salt lake. Along the way, you'll explore relics of the many civilizations that once called this land home—from the ruins of Carthage to the remains of Roman amphitheaters. PLAN YOUR TRIP →