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WHERE IS THE CHALICE USED BY JESUS AT THE LAST SUPPER?

Saturday, December 9, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we chase one of Christianity’s most coveted objects, figure out how magnesium affects your sleep, learn about ripples in space-time ... and discover the birder who codified our colors. Plus, why are crocodiles clambering north in Florida?

The Chalice of Valencia's intriguing inscriptions lead some to believe it could be the Holy Grail. Kept in a Spanish monastery until 1399, it was moved to the Valencia Cathedral by ther king of Aragon.

ORONOZ/ALBUM

Today, the Holy Grail can mean any sort of object that is eagerly sought after and pursued.

The original, however, was a chalice said to be used by Jesus during the Last Supper—the most coveted object in Christianity. It became the quest of medieval kings and, in the movies, of Indiana Jones and Monty Python. Does the Holy Grail even exist? (Above, the Chalice of Valencia.)

HERE’S THE FULL STORY

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

A close up of American flamingo feathers

PHOTOGRAPH BY JASPER DOEST

Why does Pantone have a color of the year? It started with ... birds (above, American flamingos get their color from eating crustaceans and algae) Related: The history of pink

How magnesium affects your sleep and anxiety

Finding a lost Maya city—and other stunning archaeological advances this year

Immense ripples in space-time—and other jaw-dropping scientific discoveries in 2023

Tea? Chicken soup? Foods that may help you through a cold.

How an ancient revolt sparked the Festival of Lights

Why is schizophrenia in women misunderstood—and often misdiagnosed?

The hunt for the real, historical Jesus

How did the parents of Jesus become a couple?

Why are these crocodiles crawling northward through Florida?

FDA approves CRISPR gene therapy to treat sickle cell—and other 2023 medical breakthroughs

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Young man with tattooed face taking picture with cell phone

PHOTOGRAPH BY LYNSEY ADDARIO

Cellphones for survival: To this Indigenous group in the Amazon, the forest is their parent who supplies everything. Each day, more outlaw loggers advance toward their homes to take the forest away. So the Kanamari have accepted technology (above) and fuel for vigilante groups watching and reporting the invaders, Nat Geo Explorer Lynsey Addario tells us. See her report.

STOPPING THE OUTLAWS

LAST GLIMPSE

Dune formations in the Netherlands' Rottumeroog

PHOTOGRAPH BY JASPER DOEST

Message in a bottle: He found the encased note, washed up by the waves, during 50 days spent alone on a deserted island more than a decade ago. Nat Geo Explorer Jasper Doest tracked down, responded, and has remained in contact with the sender’s family. Of his solo photo venture, Doest says: ”People tend to think that being alone is a bad thing. But to me it felt like freedom in every vein.” (Above, island dune formations on an autumn day.)

Today’s soundtrack: O Descobridor Dos Sete Mares, Tim Maia

This newsletter has been curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, and Jen Tse. Thanks for reading! Know someone who might want our newsletter in their inbox? Here’s the signup.

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