Atlas Obscura - Places Newsletter

How India’s music helps spread the millet gospel

06-20-2024

Pyramid-shaped tombs, mussels monitoring water, and more.
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	June 20, 2024

India’s Music and Millets

At the behest of the Indian government, the United Nations declared 2023 to be the “International Year of Millets.” It was just one of many initiatives India has undertaken in the last decade to promote millets, sometimes known as the country’s “forgotten” or “orphan” crops. Now, the country hosts government-sponsored food festivals, competitions, courses, and documentaries promoting the tiny, earthy-tasting grains. They’ve also written songs… for the millets.

Atlas Obscura Lists

9 Pyramid Tombs Not In Egypt

The pyramid has been a symbol for burial and the afterlife for some 5,000 years—from the ancient pharaohs to Nic Cage, who commissioned his own pyramid vault just this decade. How this particular shape became linked with the realm of the dead is, however, still a matter of some mystery.

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Portland, Oregon

Need a snack? Pay a visit to the Pix-O-Matic, a refrigerated vending machine stocked with a rotating selection of fresh-baked pastries, chocolates, French cheeses, and more. Bonus: It’s open 24/7!

The Mussels Monitoring Poland’s Water

Gruba Kaśka is one of Warsaw’s largest water filtration plants. Every day, it pumps tens of millions of gallons out of the Vistula River and through taps across Poland’s capital. Each drop is guaranteed by the plant’s unusual quality-control team: freshwater mussels hooked up to a computer.

Atlas Obscura Courses

Summer Camp: Reading the Skies, Befriending Birds, & Scary Films

Join us for Atlas Obscura’s virtual take on summer camp! Hosted by science communicator Dr. Kelly Reidy, host of Accidental Discoveries, this crash course features an extraordinary lineup of scientists and writers here to help you scratch a wide array of iconic and strange summer itches, including stargazing, making summer-camp horror movies, and connecting with wildlife.

Melrose, Scotland

The Sir William Wallace Statue

This massive, 30-foot-tall statue overlooks the River Tweed. It depicts William Wallace, who is considered one of Scotland’s great heroes and who played a hugely important role in the battle against England for Scottish independence in the 13th century.

Sponsored by Visit NC

Lumberton River Walk

Underneath the dark red, murky waters of the Lumber River in North Carolina lies a haven of decaying matter—perfect for the curious-minded and aspiring archaeologists aiming for a glimpse of the state’s earliest inhabitants. But any outdoor junkie can appreciate the 3-mile walk along this scenic river.

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The History of Blood Consumption

Across the globe and over the centuries, people have devised ways to prepare and consume human blood—not to survive desperately lean times but to harness the vital medicinal power they believed it carried. Including, of course, blood jam.

St. Augustine, Florida

The Ponce de León Hotel

Now the centerpiece of Flagler College, when the Ponce de León was originally constructed in 1888, it was viewed by many as the most luxurious hotel of its day. It's so unique and opulent that the man who built it more than 100 years ago is rumored to still drop by from time to time.

Sponsored by Explore Asheville

10 Reasons to Visit Asheville During the Week

Asheville, the creative heart of Western North Carolina, is renowned for its artistic community, food culture, and craft brewery scene. While it attracts many travelers, a mid-week visit offers a more authentic experience and easier access to the city's vibrant offerings. Here are 10 ways to explore Asheville and connect with its unique spirit during the week.

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