Rituals and Traditions
Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Egyptian Tomb and Stunning Trove of Artifacts
Excavations at Saqqara revealed burials, colorful masks and statues of the goddess Isis
Roman Imperial Cult Temple Unearthed Beneath a Parking Lot in Italy
The pagan temple sheds new light on the empire's gradual embrace of Christianity
Archaeologists Discover Early Medieval Cemetery in Wales
The site contains skeletons in unusual positions and evidence of feasting rituals
This 1,200-Year-Old Artifact Is Stunning—but Nobody Knows What It Is
The intricately decorated silver object was likely created by a highly skilled craftsperson in England
This Mysterious Hillside Carving Is Actually Hercules, Researchers Say
England's 180-foot-tall Cerne Abbas Giant may have served as a landmark for gathering troops
All Is Bright With These 15 Cheery Christmas Photos
Celebrate the holiday season with festive shots from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
The Best Board Games of 2023
In this year's tabletop favorites, play as bees in space, Chinese emperors, fox breeders, women suffragists, fashionistas and much more
Meet a Dozen Lesser-Known Christmas Characters, From Mr. Jingeling to Uncle Mistletoe
Created as department store marketing tools, many of these seasonal figures became beloved holiday traditions
Ancient Egyptians Kept Baboons in Captivity and Mummified Their Remains
A new analysis of the animals' skeletal remains reveals a lack of sunlight and an inadequate diet
This 3,000-Year-Old Stone Slab Found in Spain Is Upending Ideas About Ancient Gender Roles
The newly discovered stela depicts a figure with a headdress, a necklace, swords and male genitalia
The Uniquely American History of Eggnog, Everyone's Favorite—or Least Favorite—Holiday Quaff
This Yuletide mainstay continues to warm cockles and ventricles everywhere
Hoyma Is Bringing Music Home in the Faroe Islands
For one fall night, it is tradition for a handful of houses in Sydrugota, on the island of Eysturoy, to open their doors and host intimate concerts
Give Thanks for These 15 Photos Celebrating Thanksgiving
Gather together and commemorate the holiday of gratitude
Italian Divers Revive Centuries-Old Tradition to Help Save European Perch
Nurseries built from bundles of tree branches may help conserve the freshwater fish in the age of climate change
How an Ancient Practice Aids Marine Conservation
In French Polynesia, the art of rahui puts everyone in charge of protecting the sea
Archaeologists Discover 'Exceptional' Roman-Era Sarcophagus in France
The 40-year-old woman inside the tomb was buried with a ring, a comb and other items
Treat Yourself to 15 Eerie Images Celebrating Halloween
These highlights from the Smithsonian Photo Contest are sure to scare up some smiles
See the Face of an Inca Teenager Killed in a Ritual Sacrifice 500 Years Ago
The mummified girl, known as "Juanita," was found in 1995 on Peru's Ampato volcano
Groundhogs Are Old News. In This Tiny Town, Caterpillars Predict the Weather
Thousands of people flocked to Banner Elk, North Carolina, this year to watch the nation’s biggest woolly worm caterpillar race
How the Zamboni Revolutionized Fun on the Ice
The story behind the most efficient—and intriguing—piece of hardware in all of sports
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