The Discovery of King Tut’s Tomb
A century ago, a lost tomb was uncovered on the west bank of the Nile River. The scarcely studied Pharaoh Tutankhamun immediately became an icon.
Scandal at the YMCA
Troubles grew at the Portland institution when one of its older residents attempted to poison himself after being questioned by police about same-sex relations.
Is There a Cure for Information Disorder?
Researchers are concerned not only with our exposure to mis- and disinformation but with the depth of confidence people have in their inaccurate beliefs.
Plant of the Month: Chili Pepper
Few foods elicit such strong reactions as chili peppers. Why do we love something that hurts so much?
Happy Birthday, Well-Tempered Clavier
Bach’s most influential pedagogical work turns 300 this year. But what’s so “well-tempered” about this clavier, and what’s a “clavier,” anyway?
The Letter That Helped Start a Revolution
The Town of Boston’s invention of the standing committee 250 years ago provided a means for building consensus during America’s nascent independence movement.
Voting Rights for People Convicted of Felonies
Formerly incarcerated people comprise the largest group of disenfranchised American voters. The American Prison Newspapers collection offers fresh insight into the issue.
Fast Science, TV Baseball, and Curing Nightmares
Well-researched stories from Smithsonian Magazine, Wired, and other great publications that bridge the gap between news and scholarship.
When Did Alchemy End?
Despite royal prohibition, transmutation efforts continued underground long after the widely accepted dates for their demise.
Colonialism Birthed the Zombie Movie
The first feature-length zombie movie emerged from Haitians’ longstanding association of the living dead with slavery and exploited labor.