The Church of Saint George in Lalibela, Ethiopia, is an architectural marvel carved from a single piece of volcanic rock. The structure stands impressively within a pit. Constructed in the 12th century, this church features a unique cruciform design, setting it apart from the other 11 rock-hewn chur
On a sunny day in August 1960, a fearless US Air Force captain rose nearly 31 kilometers above the ground inside an open gondola attached to an enormous helium balloon. His name was Joseph Kittinger Jr. and his jump was part of Project Excelsior to save the astronauts. Earlier too he did a series of
Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian queen, is known for her political acumen. But her legendary beauty is still unmatched. Historical records have often highlighted her allure and relationships with powerful Roman figures like Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Among the many tales of her beauty and luxury i
As a civilization, we make new inventions every day. A few of these inventions end up being pivotal to the future of mankind. The diesel engine, the computer, and the internet are some examples. Imagine a world powered by all-natural energy sources. There the walls of our own homes would act as gian
Among other things, Los Angeles is known for its film industry and city life. But there’s a rather interesting and unexpected secret underlying the surface: hidden oil wells in plain sight in LA. Once a tiny seaside town, L.A. was changed forever when Edward L. Doheny struck oil in 1892. That one sm
Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec has become an internet sensation for his casual and minimalist approach while winning a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics. Photos and videos show him shooting in a T-shirt with one hand in his pocket and wearing standard glasses. Unlike his competitors, who wore ex
Nestled in the heart of the Philippine Sea lies a small island that defies ordinary living standards. This town built inside an active volcano can be found on Aogashima, the most remote island in the Izu archipelago in the Philippine Sea about 222 miles south of Tokyo, Japan. Home to around 500 resi
This is the Huayna Picchu hike, famously dubbed the “Stairs of Death,” that is not for the faint-hearted. Located behind the citadel of Machu Picchu, this trail offers an exciting, breathtaking experience for the adventurous hiker. Though sounding daunting, this hike is rather safe if climbers are c
High in the remote northwestern Andes lies the Laguna de los Condores, or Lake of the Condors, which harbors a chilling secret dating back 500 years. In 1997, researchers discovered hundreds of mummies peering out from mausoleums built into the steep cliff-face surrounding this mountain lake. These
Hidden in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam features the marvel of engineering and human resourcefulness in the early 20th century. After its final touch in 1935, this enormous construction was recognized as the highest dam in the world. As the gatekeeper of Lake Mead, the colos
The Tianjin Binhai Library in China is one of a kind, and impressive. Opened in 2017, it became an ultramodern construction and a place housing millions of books. It is located in the Binhai New Area of Tianjin, representing a fast-developing district. What makes this library outstanding is its size
Above all else, passion ruled the creator of the Baroque style of sculpture in the world of architecture. Gian Lorenzo Bernini was just a 13-year-old boy when he created a bust of the surgeon Antonio Coppola. Bernini was an Italian sculptor and architect who carried the 17th-century art world into m
Colin Steer from Plymouth, UK, was decorating his front room when he noticed a dip in the carpet. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a 500-year-old well sitting under the floor in his living room. It is an incredible historical find that interests everyone and is like a window to the past. After digg
Imagine living somewhere so cold that residents are known to leave their cars on all night just so that they make it through the morning start. This is an everyday reality when speaking about the city of ‘Oymyakon.’ Oymyakon, Russia, is one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, with temperatures
A remarkable achievement in medical history has taken place at the Texas Heart Institute. Doctors have successfully implanted BiVACOR’s total artificial heart (BTAH) inside a human being for the first time. This breakthrough offers new hope for patients with severe heart conditions and is changing t
In 1974, a group of farmers digging a well near the Xi’aang province, China, discovered pieces of what appear to be human-shaped terracotta statues. This unearthing would later lead to one of the greatest archeological discoveries done to date, a terracotta army of nearly 8000 troops. These life-siz
The Gobi desert encompasses a massive 500,000 square kilometers in Northern China. China’s loneliest highway, National Highway 315 traverses this vast inhospitable landscape. The road is also filled with some otherworldly sights that make it resemble a “Road in Mars.” Also known as the Qinghai-Xinji
Tracing back to the ingenuity of ancient civilizations, the Persians stand out with their remarkable contributions to technology and science. Among their notable inventions is the Yakhchal, widely acknowledged as the first refrigerator. But there are more Persian technological marvels that leave the
Tatyana McFadden has recently become the fastest woman to qualify for the 7th Paralympics. Her career spans 20 years with her debut in the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. During this period she has won a remarkable panoply of 20 Paralympic medals, out of which 8 are gold medals. And all this was achieve
The surreal rock formations hidden across Utah’s arid basins will leave any person speechless. The whitish and cream-colored hoodoos in spectral shapes are hosted at the Wahweap Hoodoos trailhead. They are spires that have defied gravity and stretched to heights. These white and cream-colored hoodoo
Imagine that you were being transported to the day of the Spring Equinox in 900 AD Mexico.. You are standing at the base of the Pyramid of Kukulcan, while the rhythmic chanting of thousands of Mayans surround you. The high priests at the top are carrying out elaborate rituals to appease the god of K
The magical blue Zakynthos Caves is one of the most popular destinations in Zakynthos, Greece. Zakynthos is an exciting landscape with mountains, fertile valleys, and green plains. But more importantly, this magical place holds blue caves that reflect the vibrant and striking blue and turquoise colo
From picture-postcard views to architectural excess, cliff-edge houses provide unique living experiences and unrivaled vistas. The Cliff House by Modscape is one such conceptual marvel. It’s homes that defy gravity and blend in with its surroundings. Designed as a modular home clinging to a cliff, t
The revival of ancient seeds connects us to history and evolution. Every germinated seed can tell us stories about survival, adaptation, and persistence. There have been several seeds that were considered viable after staying dormant for hundreds if not thousands of years. These seeds increase the l
