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National Museum of Natural History

A humpback whale breaches the surface of the ocean on a sunny day as three birds fly overhead.

10 Popular Scientific Discoveries From 2021

Read about the year's most attention-grabbing findings by scientists at the National Museum of Natural History

Five specimens of mistletoe fluid-preserved in clear jargs with black caps.

Five Things You Didn't Know About Mistletoe

Over 1,700 species of the parasitic plant grow around the globe

Turquoise and diamond encrusted diadem on a black background that lightens to gray in the center.

How Turquoise Replaced Emeralds in This Royal Diadem

Once gifted by Napoleon, the heirloom is now bejeweled in December’s birthstone

Headshot of paleoanthropologist Briana Pobiner in a red sweater holding an early human skull up text to her face on white background.

Meet the Scientist Studying How Humans Started Eating Meat

Paleoanthropologist Briana Pobiner studies bones from animals eaten by early humans millions of years ago

A light blue and red tomopterid worm swimming in black water. A light blue credit line along the worm's end reads "Copyright 2012 K.J. Osborn, Smithsonian."

Explore Ocean Bioluminescence and More Free Natural History Programs This December

Stream these programs and more through the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

A pile of gourds spilling out of a tipped over container onto a brick floor with a bale of straw in the background.

Say Hello to the Scientist Harvesting Clues About Ancient Gourds and Maize

Archaeologist Logan Kistler explains how he studies the roots of plant domestication

A group of seven squashes and an ear of corn on grass littered with fallen leaves.

How Ancient Humans Helped Bring Pumpkins to Your Thanksgiving Table

Fall’s favorite fruits have long been essential staples in human diet and culture

Historic black and white photograph of Sitting Bull sitting down with a feather in his hair and holding a pipe.

New Study Adds to Decade-Old Repatriation of Sitting Bull's Belongings

The research highlights Smithsonian’s successful repatriation of Sitting Bull’s leggings and lock of hair to his direct descendants

A Japanese macaque holds a stolen cellphone while shoulder deep in hot spring.

See Past Winning Photographs From the Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Smithsonian hosts specially curated exhibition of evocative images featuring unforgettable animal behavior.

A humpback whale breaches the surface of the ocean on a sunny day.

World's Biggest Whales Eat Three Times More Food Than Scientists Thought

New study also finds that recovery of whale populations could increase nutrient circulation and help boost ocean functions

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