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WHO ARE YOU CALLING BARBARIAN?

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we visit a 2,000-year-old bloody 'barbarian' battlefield, frolic with polar bears in fields of flowers, question the safety of U.S. infrastructure ... and get to bed early tonight.

Fragments of hip bones from four different victims of a barbarian battle were threaded on a tree branch and deposited in a Danish bog some 2,000 years ago.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY PNAS

Wild and savage? Unorganized? Motivated by spasms of violence?

Archaeologists uncovering a 2,000-year-old battle site are being forced to reconsider some definitions of barbarian.

They’ve found much larger sizes of armies that would require enhanced organization and discipline. They’ve seen signs of ritual burial and attempts to build a “collective memory” of the battle scene. But, they caution, don’t get the wrong impression.

THEY WERE BLOODY AS HELL

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The violent nature of Germanic tribes was a popular theme in ancient Roman art and literature. This Roman sarcophagus depicts a battle between Imperial troops and 'barbarian' warriors in the late second century A.D.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DEA, A. DAGLI ORTI

The violent nature: Above, a Roman sarcophagus depicts a battle between Imperial troops and “barbarian” warriors. Top, hip bone fragments from four different victims. Read more.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

youth champion MaLana Lewis in 2020 with her horse, Star

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENNEDI CARTER

The rise of Black equestrians (Pictured, youth champion MaLana Lewis in 2020 with her horse, Star)

What is the best time to sleep—and why do we need so much?

Shark meat is a global phenomenon—but not everyone knows they’re eating it

How to stop dam collapses, derailments, and water contamination in the U.S?

Scientists are unlocking the medical potential of snake venom

These mermaids may help Taiwan transcend its fear of the sea

Breathtaking natural wonders—that no longer exist

3,600-year-old tsunami ‘time capsule’ sheds light on one of humanity’s greatest disasters

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

A puss caterpillar feeds on a winged elm leaf

PHOTOGRAPH BY DONALD W. HALL, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

A toxic toupee: The most venomous caterpillar (pictured above) looks fuzzy to the touch—but causes excruciating pain if you come into contact with it. Do you know what it’s called?

A. Hairy blob
B. Shaggy rug
C. Furry puss

CLICK FOR THE ANSWER

PHOTO OF THE DAY

a large male polar bear in a bed of fireweed

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARTIN GREGUS, JR.

The bears of summer: What do polar bears do when the ice melts the winter snow away? For starters: Take a midday nap in a field of fireweed (pictured above).

LAST GLIMPSE

Eurasian magpies typically build their nests from thorny branches, but some birds have discovered anti-bird spikes work just as well—if not better.

PHOTOGRAPH BY AUKE FLORIAN HIEMSTRA

The best nest: Some crows and magpies have their own security systems for their nests. They deter invaders with anything from thorny branches to manmade spikes (above).

WHEN NATURE FIGHTS BACK

Today’s soundtrack: Birdhouse in Your Soul, They Might Be Giants

Thanks for reading our newsletter! It was edited and curated by Jen Tse, Hannah Farrow, Nancy San Martín, and David Beard. We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]. Keep shining!

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