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March 2013
Features
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Lost Tribes of the Amazon
Often described as “uncontacted,” isolated groups living deep in the South American forest resist the ways of the modern world—at least for now
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Amazon Warriors
Napoleon Chagnon’s new memoir reignites the firestorm over his study of the Yanomamö
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Light Fantastic
From tracking a giant squid to decoding jellyfish alarms in the Gulf, a depth-defying scientist plunges under the sea
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The Deep
A new poem from the former poet laureate of the United States
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The Beauty of Life
Artists are borrowing from biology to create dazzling "biodesigns" that challenge our aesthetics—and our place in nature
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Mean Girls
A scientist studying female elephants—usually portrayed as cooperative—makes a surprising observation about their behavior
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No Egrets
Birds like the snowy egret were on the brink of extinction, all because of their sought-after plumage
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Roots of a Naturalist
After studying chimpanzees for decades, the celebrated scientist turns her penetrating gaze on another life-form
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First Blood
Bernard Bailyn, one of our greatest historians, shines his light on the nation’s Dark Ages
Departments
Contributors
Discussion
From the Editor
From the Castle
Light
For a large chunk of the Earth’s existence, flora have used the Sun’s light to turn the planet green
Alone in the Dark
Artist Kevin Cooley has traveled the world capturing landscapes where one light shines on the horizon
No Fluke
The freelancer’s new exhibit at the Natural History Museum captures the beauty, and fragility, of sea life
Playlist
This Just In
Carlotta Walls LaNier recently donated the dress she wore on what would've been her first day at the desegregated high school
Ask Smithsonian
Clouds, bluegrass, chipmunks and Picasso round out this month’s batch of questions
Spotlight
Books
Read the latest on subliminal message, body snatching, and Sheryl Sandberg’s insights on the rise of women