Ancient Cultures
Who Discovered Machu Picchu?
Controversy swirls as to whether an archaeologist's claim to fame as the discoverer of Machu Picchu has any merit
March 2009 |
By Peter Eisner
The Tomb of Queen Sesheshet
A recently discovered pyramid and tomb in Egypt may shed light on a dark episode in a pharaonic tradition of court intrigue
February 03, 2009 |
By Stephen Glain
Bodies of Evidence in Southeast Asia
Excavations at a cemetery in a Thai village reveal a 4,000-year-old indigenous culture
February 2009 |
By Andrew Lawler
Up Close at Trinidad's Carnival
What’s behind the raucous pre-Lenten rite? An intrepid scholar hits the streets of Trinidad to find out
February 2009 |
By Barbara Ehrenreich
A Monumental Struggle to Preserve Hagia Sophia
In Istanbul, secularists and fundamentalists clash over restoring the nearly 1,500 year-old structure
December 2008 |
By Fergus M. Bordewich
Chasing the Lydian Hoard
Author Sharon Waxman digs into the tangle over looted artifacts between the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Turkish government
November 14, 2008 |
By Sharon Waxman
Deep Sea 3D: Even a Four-Eyes Can Have Fun
The seaweed may usually look greener on somebody else’s plate, but I’m unconvinced that 3-D movies are going to be better than 2-D, at least not anytime soon. Putting my technologically conservative notions to the test, I was invited to attend a screening of the new IMAX film Deep Sea 3-D.On enteri...
September 24, 2008 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Public Punk'd by Panda: Mei Xiang is NOT Pregnant!
In spite of months of maternal showboating, Mei Xiang will not be bearing a panda cub this year. Experts at the National Zoo speculate that she either experienced another pseudopregnancy or lost an early-stage fetus that failed to develop. Having kept close tabs on Mei since her artificial insemina...
August 14, 2008 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Fingers Crossed. A Panda Preggers at the National Zoo???!
National Zoo darling Mei Xiang, who recently celebrated her tenth birthday, has kept mum about her maternal status. On March 20, Mei was anesthetized and artificially inseminated. She has since coyly toyed with her adoring public’s hopes for the pitter patter of panda paws.Over the course of her 20...
July 25, 2008 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Today's Events at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Tuesday July 2, 2008
BHUTAN
Bhutan Kitchen: 11 a.m. Dragon Drinks: Tea and Alcohol; 12:00 p.m. Cattle God's Gifts: Butter and Cheese; 1 p.m. Taste of Bhutan; 3 p.m. Buckwheat Noodles; 4 p.m. Festive Foods
Four Friends Narrative Stage: 11 a.m. The Four Friends Story; 11:45 a.m. Bhutanese Architecture; 12:30 p.m. Life of...
July 02, 2008 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Weekend Schedule for Folklife Festival
The 42nd annual Folklife Festival on the National Mall takes place this week through Sunday, June 29; and again from July 2 through July 6. Programs are: "Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon;" "NASA" Fifty Years and Beyond;"and "Texas: A Celebration of Music, Food, and Wine." To get an up-to-dat...
June 27, 2008 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Today's Events at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Friday, June 27
The 42nd annual Folklife Festival on the National Mall takes place this week through Sunday, June 29; and again from July 2 through July 6. Programs are: "Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon;" "NASA" Fifty Years and Beyond;"and "Texas: A Celebration of Music, Food, and Wine."
BHUTAN
Bhutan Kit...
June 27, 2008 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Today's Events at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Thursday, June 26
The 42nd annual Folklife Festival on the National Mall takes place this week through Sunday, June 29; and again from July 2 through July 6. Programs are: "Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon;" "NASA" Fifty Years and Beyond;"and "Texas: A Celebration of Music, Food, and Wine."
BHUTAN
Bhutan Kitch...
June 26, 2008 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Today's Events at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Wednesday, June 25
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival gets underway today on the National Mall with music, song, dance, crafts and story telling. Featured programs are: "Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon;" "NASA: Fifty Years and Beyond;" and "Texas: A Celebration of Music, Food, and Wine." The opening ceremony is a...
June 25, 2008 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
The Persians Revisited
A 2,500-year-old Greek historical play remains eerily contemporary
June 17, 2008 |
By Catherine Rampell
Ancient Citadel
At least 1,200 years old, New Mexico's Acoma Pueblo remains a touchstone for a resilient indigenous culture
May 2008 |
By David Zax
A Brief History of Chocolate
Uncover the bittersweet story of this ancient treat and watch a VIDEO
March 01, 2008 |
By Amanda Bensen
Unlocking Mysteries of the Parthenon
Restoration of the 2,500-year-old temple is yielding new insights into the engineering feats of the golden age's master builders
February 2008 |
By Evan Hadingham
The Mystery of Tikal
An ancient Mayan city, once hidden by overgrown jungle, evokes a childlike sense of wonder
January 2008 |
By Mark Strauss
Machu Picchu’s Ancient Beauty
The “lost city of the Incas” has captivated visitors with its magnificent setting and detailed stonework
January 2008 |
By Jess Blumberg
