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HAUNTED APPALACHIA

Thursday, January 4, 2024

In today’s newsletter, we explore the myths of the Appalachian mountains, find the world's oldest saddle, discover dinosaurs in Utah … and learn about raptors in Africa.

the Appalachian Mountains draped in fog

PHOTOGRAPH BY GERD LUDWIG, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

These mountains can seem spooky enough without the Mothman, the Wampus Cat, the Raven Mocker—or the Grafton and Flatwoods monsters.

Why do the Appalachians appear to be teeming with supernatural creatures? Why is TikTok flooded with stories of #hauntedappalachia?

Here’s why.

READ THE FULL STORY

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

The saddle found at Yanghai is made from leather and stuffed with straw and animal hair.

PATRICK WERTMANN

Is this saddle found at Yanghai (pictured above) the oldest one in the world?

Alcohol's effect on women's bodies

What happens when you go sober for a month?

How to determine your biological age—not your chronological one. (Hint: Your face is key)

See Spain's Alhambra like never before

Conflict in this vital strait is disrupting shipping worldwide

10 steps for a life-changing 2024

Did early humans interbreed with a ‘ghost population’?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

A man runs up outdoor stairs

PHOTOGRAPH BY SOLSKIN, GETTY IMAGES

How much exercise do you need? Just a few minutes makes a difference. From walking in short but vigorous spurts to racing up a flight of steps (as pictured above), amping up the intensity of everyday activities could provide health benefits. Here's how.

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

An adult and a juvenile Teratophoneus get a dusting from Geoffrey Leonard at the Natural History Museum of Utah. Like Tyrannosaurus rex, their larger relative, they likely were fierce predators.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CORY RICHARDS

On this date 128 years ago … Utah became a state. Like elsewhere across the Americas, it was once home to a wide array of dinosaurs as part of an island landmass some 75 million years ago known as Laramidia. Which juvenile dino is pictured above?

A. Dimetrodon
B. Teratophoneous
C. Triceratops
D. Tyrannosaurus Rex

CLICK TO FIND OUT

LAST GLIMPSE

A juvenile lappet-faced vulture, an endangered species, lies in a nest in Namibia's Namib-Naukluft National Park.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHARLIE HAMILTON JAMES

Where are the raptors? With their varying sizes and wingspans, Africa's raptors are some of the world's most spectacular birds (pictured above, a juvenile lappet-faced vulture). However, a recent study reveals widespread population losses that could prove catastrophic.

Today’s soundtrack: The Returner, by Allison Russell

We hope this newsletter brightened your Thursday! It was curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, Jen Tse, and Nishita Naga. Know someone who might want our newsletter in their inbox? Here’s the signup. See you tomorrow!

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