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HALLOWEEN COSTUMES BEGAN TO WARD OFF DEMONS

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we discover the caves where Halloween emerged, question why a wild bear was loose at Disney World, revisit the Nat Geo photograph that inspired The Beatles’ ‘Lady Madonna’ ... and dissect an asteroid sample that returned to Earth.

The unassuming entrance to Oweynagat cave, in Rathcroghan, Ireland, belies its central role in ancient Irish history.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY RONAN O'CONNELL

Today’s trick or treaters owe a debt to a darker ancient Irish rite, where chanting, costumed celebrants sacrificed animals to demonic spirits of the cavernous subterranean underground.

People disguised themselves as ghouls, not for sweet treats, but to save themselves from being dragged into the caves by the demons. Where are these caves (an entrance to one above)? How did the tradition go worldwide?

HOW HALLOWEEN BEGAN

Unlock this article with Nat Geo Premium! Get access now to exclusive stories, plus a century of archives, photos, and videos. See subscription options starting at just $19/yr.

The current archaeological site of Rathcroghan displays an artist’s impression of the temple that once stood there. It was the main meeting place of the Connaught kingdom 2,000 years ago.

A gateway to the demon-filled underworld: A temple once stood at the archaeological site of Rathcroghan (depicted above). It was the main meeting place of the Connaught kingdom 2,000 years ago. Read more.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

This series of images shows the OSIRIS-REx mission’s Touch-And-Go (TAG) sample collection event, on Oct. 20, 2020, when the spacecraft approached and touched asteroid Bennu’s surface.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY NASA/GODDARD/UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

Asteroid sample returned to Earth is a time capsule of the ancient solar system (Above, images of when a spacecraft approached and touched the asteroid’s surface.)

The complicated truth about Vitamin D

Do collagen supplements really work?

Looking for home remedies? These 6 herbs might be able to help.

Pompeii still has many secrets to uncover—but should we keep digging?

Meet Henry VIII’s most underrated wife—the queen who survived

Ringling Circus is back—but this time, without animals

Cage-free or free-range: You may not be getting what you think you’re paying for.

They move in herds? A surprising discovery upends what we know about turtles.

What do we think about when we think about Rome?

Capturing stunning moments in nature Related: Invisible Wonders: Photographs of the Ancient World

What is Oktoberfest—and why is it actually in September?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Black bear cubs play in a backyard in Asheville, North Carolina.

PHOTOGRAPH BY COREY ARNOLD

Bears... on vacation: Bear populations are expanding, which means they’re likely to wind up in busy human areas. Some of the latest sightings? A North Carolina backyard (above). A Canadian hiking trail (makes sense). And Disney World (yes, really).

WHAT’S GOING ON?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

A tusk hunter removes a mammoth tusk

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARY MCCARTNEY, MPL COMMUNICATIONS

Did you know? The inspiration for The Beatles’ song ‘Lady Madonna’ was drawn from a photo Paul McCartney (above) saw in a National Geographic magazine. What better day to revisit it than today, the anniversary of the release of the group’s Abbey Road album in 1969.

Related: The ultimate itinerary for Beatles fans

WHO WAS LADY MADONNA?

LAST GLIMPSE

As collagen levels decline the skin sags and becomes wrinkled. A variety of factors can accelerate that process including smoking, UV light exposure, and alcohol and high sugar consumption; all lower collagen production and make the protein weaker, leading to more wrinkles.

PHOTOGRAPH BY GIANLUCA COLLA, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Do they really work? Collagen supplements claim to support and strengthen skin, hair, nails, and bones—just to name a few. (Above, wrinkled hands.) But does the science match the marketing? We sought experts to find out.

Today’s soundtrack: The Cave, Mumford & Sons

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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