February 22, 2023

MASK, SHMASK  The Masks Meant to Shame  Extravagance was not well tolerated in medieval Germany. Citizens of lower socio-economic status were heavily regulated by law around the issues of what they could wear, from the size of their collar to the colors which they could dress in. Those who dared to flaunt these rules were fined for their chutzpah, and the punishment for such a violation was public shaming. In 17th-century Germany, as well as elsewhere in central Europe, England and Scotland, that public shaming took the form of the schandmaske, or shame mask.  READ MORE →   STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN Kymlinge Metro Station Ever heard the legend of Kymlinge? The station is said to be home to Silverpilen (The Silver Arrow), a silvery ghost train that is said to have been seen all around the Stockholm Metro. Spoiler: It does exist. It was used as a back-up car when the system was overloaded or a car had to go out of commission, so people could go years without seeing it; when they did, they whispered about how “only the dead get off at Kymlinge.” And that’s how urban legends get started, people. READ MORE →   HIDDEN FIGURES Meet George McJunkin George McJunkin was an African American cowboy in northeastern New Mexico who discovered what became known as the Folsom site. The site was an ancient bison bone bed where scientists came to accept the idea that Native Americans lived in North America during the last ice age—thousands of years earlier than most scientists then believed. Today, McJunkin is one of many Black historical figures finally gaining credit for their myriad contributions to science, politics, and other disciplines over the centuries. READ MORE →   GASTRO OBSCURA COURSES Diving Into Food Anthropology Our food choices are infused with meaning. They tell stories about our histories and form the basis of our habits. In this course, we’ll ask the questions: How do our associations with food influence what we cook and how we eat, and how does cuisine in turn impact our emotions and shape our culture? Join us as we look at culture through the lens of food. ENROLL NOW →   GASTRO OBSCURA The Resilience of Fuki Deep in a remote British Columbia valley, a prized Japanese vegetable grows wild as a living testament to the internment of thousands of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War. Fuki, or Japanese butterbur, is a perennial plant native to Japan with rhubarb-like stems that are popular cooked in stir fries or dashi, a kelp-based broth. During the war, it became crucial: when in 1942, racist federal policies forced Japanese Canadians into remote internment camps, fuki seeds and roots were one of the few items that could arrive in the camps without government interception. READ MORE →   MURSHIDABAD, INDIA Namak Haram Deorhi This red burnt brick gate in Murshidabad tells a centuries-old tale of betrayal. Known as Namak Haram Deohri, or “Traitor’s Gate,” it once led to the palace of Mir Jafar, who was a commander in the army of the Nawab of Bengal known for betraying Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah. During the Battle of Plassey in 1757, Jafar conspired with Robert Clive of the English East India Company; as a result, he was appointed as the new Nawab, but his rule was deeply unpopular. READ MORE →   UNUSUAL DISCOVERIES A Lost Monastery Do you know how sometimes, you get a gut instinct about something and you just have to follow it? John McCullen can sympathize with you. McCullen had a gut feeling that the old stone tower on his family farm was significant, so he began to dig—and it turns out he was right. The tower turned out to be the only remaining building from a lost medieval monastery. Bonus: It even contains a Neolithic surprise. READ MORE →   BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY Holsten's Brookdale Confectionery At first glance, Holsten’s looks like a relic from the bygone era of soda fountains. But beyond its vintage signage, decor, and classic menu, the unassuming ice cream parlor and diner is part of a very important piece of television history: It was the setting for the final, controversial scene of The Sopranos. READ MORE →