Artifacts | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/artifacts/RSS feed for ArtifactsenWed, 12 Aug 2026 17:28:38 +0000Shipwreck Divers Discovered a 162-Year-Old Bottle of Guinness Brewed During the Reign of Queen Victoria—and They Want to Take a Swighttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/shipwreck-divers-discovered-a-162-year-old-bottle-of-guinness-brewed-during-the-reign-of-queen-victoria-and-they-want-to-take-a-swig-180989320/The beer was preserved in a sealed glass bottle and may be safe to sample. The team is also hoping to sequence the DNA of the yeast to recreate what the stout would have tasted like in the 19th centuryWed, 12 Aug 2026 17:28:38 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/shipwreck-divers-discovered-a-162-year-old-bottle-of-guinness-brewed-during-the-reign-of-queen-victoria-and-they-want-to-take-a-swig-180989320/How the Boogie Board Became One of Summer's Most Popular Toyshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-the-boogie-board-became-one-of-summers-most-popular-toys-180989316/Fifty-five years ago, surfer Tom Morey cut a piece of polyethylene foam with a carving knife and created a wave-riding board with a low barrier of entryWed, 12 Aug 2026 17:02:02 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-the-boogie-board-became-one-of-summers-most-popular-toys-180989316/Archaeologists in England Preparing for Road Construction Unearthed a Roman-Era Fingernail Cleaner With a Handle Shaped Like a Penishttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-in-England-preparing-for-road-construction-unearthed-a-roman-era-fingernail-cleaner-with-a-handle-shaped-like-a-penis-180989318/The Romans considered the phallus a symbol of good luck and used it to decorate objects, mark walls and inspire sculpturesTue, 11 Aug 2026 22:45:06 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-in-England-preparing-for-road-construction-unearthed-a-roman-era-fingernail-cleaner-with-a-handle-shaped-like-a-penis-180989318/The Danube River Has Fallen to Record-Low Water Levels, Revealing Nazi Warships, Bombs and Woolly Mammoth Bones In Its Channelhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-danube-river-has-fallen-to-record-low-water-levels-revealing-nazi-warships-bombs-and-woolly-mammoth-bones-in-its-channel-180989255/Residents and researchers are finding historic and prehistoric relics as Europe's second-longest river driesTue, 04 Aug 2026 18:20:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-danube-river-has-fallen-to-record-low-water-levels-revealing-nazi-warships-bombs-and-woolly-mammoth-bones-in-its-channel-180989255/Archaeologists Discover Two Thumbnail-Size Bird Sculptures Carved From Mammoth Ivory 40,000 Years Agohttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-discover-two-thumbnail-sized-bird-sculptures-carved-from-mammoth-ivory-40000-years-ago-180989239/Measuring less than an inch long, the figurines were buried beneath Germany's Hohle Fels Cave, where some of the world's oldest known figurative artworks have been foundFri, 31 Jul 2026 18:01:04 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-discover-two-thumbnail-sized-bird-sculptures-carved-from-mammoth-ivory-40000-years-ago-180989239/A Man Unearthed a Mysterious Metal Object Sticking Straight Up From the Ground. It Turned Out to Be a 2,700-Year-Old Swordhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-man-unearthed-a-mysterious-metal-object-sticking-straight-up-from-the-ground-it-turned-out-to-be-a-2700-year-old-sword-180989232/Marcin Wiśniewski found the weapon while metal detecting in a forest near the Polish city of Gdańsk. Experts told him that it likely dates to between 900 and 700 B.C.E.Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:01:02 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-man-unearthed-a-mysterious-metal-object-sticking-straight-up-from-the-ground-it-turned-out-to-be-a-2700-year-old-sword-180989232/A Metal Detectorist Discovered Tiny Tiles in a Farmer's Field. A Spectacular Ancient Roman Mosaic Was Buried Beneath the Surfacehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-metal-detectorist-discovered-tiny-tiles-in-a-farmers-field-a-spectacular-ancient-roman-mosaic-was-buried-beneath-the-surface-180989222/The polychrome mosaic once decorated a small room in a lavish villa complex. Researchers, students and volunteers have been working together to excavate the rare site in southwestern EnglandWed, 29 Jul 2026 17:27:45 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-metal-detectorist-discovered-tiny-tiles-in-a-farmers-field-a-spectacular-ancient-roman-mosaic-was-buried-beneath-the-surface-180989222/We All Know the Story of the Pompeii Victims Who Died When Mount Vesuvius Erupted 2,000 Years Ago. Archaeologists Are Still Learning About Those Who Made It Out Alivehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/we-all-know-the-story-of-the-pompeii-victims-who-died-when-mount-vesuvius-erupted-2000-years-ago-archaeologists-are-still-learning-about-those-who-made-it-out-alive-180989207/A semi-fictionalized documentary series hosted by actor Tom Hiddleston follows three people in the ancient towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum who experienced the disaster in 79 C.E.Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:41:15 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/we-all-know-the-story-of-the-pompeii-victims-who-died-when-mount-vesuvius-erupted-2000-years-ago-archaeologists-are-still-learning-about-those-who-made-it-out-alive-180989207/This Letter Penned on the ‘Titanic’ Days Before It Sank Shares the Perspective of the Ship's Second-Class Passengershttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-letter-penned-on-the-titanic-days-before-it-sank-shares-the-perspective-of-the-ships-second-class-passengers-180989174/The letter, now up for auction, describes good weather and bustling activity as the "Titanic" prepared to set off across the Atlantic OceanWed, 22 Jul 2026 17:59:09 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-letter-penned-on-the-titanic-days-before-it-sank-shares-the-perspective-of-the-ships-second-class-passengers-180989174/Artemis 1's Orion Spacecraft Withstood the Heat of Re-entry in a Critical Test for Humans' Return to the Moon. Now, NASA Will Lend the Historic Capsule to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museumhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/artemis-1s-orion-spacecraft-withstood-the-heat-of-re-entry-in-a-critical-test-for-humans-return-to-the-moon-now-nasa-will-loan-the-historic-capsule-to-the-smithsonians-national-air-and-space-museum-180989094/The exact timeline for the spacecraft's display hasn’t been announced, but the artifact will fit into an upcoming exhibition on how humans have built a long-term presence in Earth orbit and laid the groundwork for farther space travelMon, 13 Jul 2026 19:09:02 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/artemis-1s-orion-spacecraft-withstood-the-heat-of-re-entry-in-a-critical-test-for-humans-return-to-the-moon-now-nasa-will-loan-the-historic-capsule-to-the-smithsonians-national-air-and-space-museum-180989094/See Artifacts That Archaeologists Discovered in This 1,600-Year-Old Byzantine Christian Town Buried in an Oasis in Egypthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-artifacts-that-archaeologists-discovered-in-this-1600-year-old-byzantine-christian-town-buried-in-an-oasis-in-egypt-180989106/The mud-brick village boasts streets, towers and a large church. Researchers unearthed everyday objects like grain grinders, an oven and some 200 ostraca—ancient receipts and notes written on broken potteryFri, 10 Jul 2026 20:07:04 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-artifacts-that-archaeologists-discovered-in-this-1600-year-old-byzantine-christian-town-buried-in-an-oasis-in-egypt-180989106/Our Ancestors Loved Shell Trinkets, Just Like Neanderthals. New Research Suggests It's a Sign of Shared Culture Across Specieshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/our-ancestors-loved-shell-trinkets-just-like-neanderthals-new-research-suggests-its-a-sign-of-shared-culture-across-species-180989085/Based on artifacts found in a limestone cave on the Mediterranean coast, scientists think the two species might have shared similar survival strategies, stone tool technologies and symbolic traditionsWed, 08 Jul 2026 14:26:56 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/our-ancestors-loved-shell-trinkets-just-like-neanderthals-new-research-suggests-its-a-sign-of-shared-culture-across-species-180989085/This Ancient Monolith That Archaeologists Unearthed in Mexico May Depict People Receiving ‘Divine Liquid’ in a Ritualhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-ancient-monolith-archaeologists-unearthed-in-mexico-may-depict-people-receiving-divine-liquid-in-a-ritual-180989049/The stela was found with a large, decorated platform and remnants of offerings in the state of VeracruzWed, 01 Jul 2026 14:33:20 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-ancient-monolith-archaeologists-unearthed-in-mexico-may-depict-people-receiving-divine-liquid-in-a-ritual-180989049/Deep in the Mexican Jungle, Archaeologists Discovered a Lost Maya City That May Yield Clues About the Civilization Just Before It Collapsedhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/deep-in-the-mexican-jungle-archaeologists-discovered-a-lost-maya-city-that-may-yield-clues-about-the-civilization-just-before-it-collapsed-180989030/Researchers hacked through more than three miles of vegetation to get to the site, which lies out of bounds of familiar logging tracks. There, they found unique carved stelae and altarsFri, 26 Jun 2026 21:44:58 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/deep-in-the-mexican-jungle-archaeologists-discovered-a-lost-maya-city-that-may-yield-clues-about-the-civilization-just-before-it-collapsed-180989030/Scientists Have Deciphered the Surviving Fragments of a 2,000-Year-Old Philosophical Treatise Frozen in Time by Mount Vesuvius' Eruptionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-have-deciphered-the-surviving-fragments-of-a-2000-year-old-philosophical-treatise-frozen-in-time-by-mount-vesuvius-eruption-180989036/The papyrus manuscript was part of a vast library preserved by volcanic ash. Now, the remaining passages—which examine ethics, knowledge and human nature—are accessible for the first time since 79 C.E.Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:51:06 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-have-deciphered-the-surviving-fragments-of-a-2000-year-old-philosophical-treatise-frozen-in-time-by-mount-vesuvius-eruption-180989036/How One German Button Maker Searched the Rivers of the American Midwest for the Shells That Could Make Him a Fortunehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-one-german-button-maker-searched-the-rivers-of-the-american-midwest-for-the-shells-that-could-make-him-a-fortune-180989012/John Boepple settled in Muscatine, Iowa, where he produced pearl buttons made from freshwater mussel shells. His innovations brought economic prosperity to the town—and disaster to the local mussel populationsThu, 25 Jun 2026 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-one-german-button-maker-searched-the-rivers-of-the-american-midwest-for-the-shells-that-could-make-him-a-fortune-180989012/What Natural History Objects Represent Your State? You Can Find Out in This New Exhibition of More Than 600 Specimens and Artifactshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/what-natural-history-objects-represent-your-state-you-can-find-out-in-this-new-exhibition-of-more-than-600-specimens-and-artifacts-180988980/The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History celebrates America’s 250th anniversary by spotlighting fascinating items from across the nationThu, 18 Jun 2026 14:15:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/what-natural-history-objects-represent-your-state-you-can-find-out-in-this-new-exhibition-of-more-than-600-specimens-and-artifacts-180988980/Here's How the Obama Presidential Center Is Different From Other Presidents' Museumshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/heres-how-the-obama-presidential-center-is-different-from-other-presidents-museums-180988974/More than a library and archives, the new Chicago institution is a place for the community to gather, talk and play togetherThu, 18 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/heres-how-the-obama-presidential-center-is-different-from-other-presidents-museums-180988974/Hidden Tunnels Dating Back to Henry VIII's Reign Were Discovered at This English Boarding School, Where the King Once Livedhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hidden-tunnels-dating-back-to-henry-viiis-reign-were-discovered-at-english-boarding-school-New-Hall-School-where-the-king-once-lived-180988965/Bones, bottles and pottery were found at the New Hall School, which was once Henry VIII's Palace of Beaulieu. Before that, Anne Boleyn's father owned the estateWed, 17 Jun 2026 20:56:56 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hidden-tunnels-dating-back-to-henry-viiis-reign-were-discovered-at-english-boarding-school-New-Hall-School-where-the-king-once-lived-180988965/For Its Birthday, the U.S. Will Give Americans of the Future a 900-Pound Time Capsule Filled With Art, Natural Treasures and a Clever Copy of the Declaration of Independencehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/indigenous-art-an-eagle-feather-and-a-3d-rendering-of-abraham-lincolns-hand-see-the-items-just-sealed-in-americas-time-capsule-180988973/The capsule was created and filled at the direction of Congress, through the America250 commission. It will be interred beneath an original sculpture on July 4Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:20:38 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/indigenous-art-an-eagle-feather-and-a-3d-rendering-of-abraham-lincolns-hand-see-the-items-just-sealed-in-americas-time-capsule-180988973/You Can Now See Betsy Ross’ Sewing Table in Philadelphia, Thanks to a Flag Day Donation From Her Great-Great-Great-Great Grandsonhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/you-can-now-see-betsy-ross-sewing-table-in-philadelphia-thanks-to-a-flag-day-donation-from-her-great-great-great-great-grandson-180988963/The origins of the Stars and Stripes are murky, but generations of Americans have admired stories about Ross creating the first American flagTue, 16 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/you-can-now-see-betsy-ross-sewing-table-in-philadelphia-thanks-to-a-flag-day-donation-from-her-great-great-great-great-grandson-180988963/A Museum of American Music—Headlined by Bruce Springsteen—Opened in New Jersey With Instruments, Lyrics and Clothes From Rock Stars and Pop Legendshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-museum-of-american-music-headlined-by-bruce-springsteen-opens-in-new-jersey-with-instruments-lyrics-and-clothes-from-rock-stars-and-pop-legends-180988958/The Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University, which houses the archives of its namesake Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, welcomed its first visitorsMon, 15 Jun 2026 21:13:43 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-museum-of-american-music-headlined-by-bruce-springsteen-opens-in-new-jersey-with-instruments-lyrics-and-clothes-from-rock-stars-and-pop-legends-180988958/