This Photo of the Week comes from a dank cave with clues to human origins, Plus, images from the biggest religious festival on Earth, Canada’s last reindeer run, and a rare fish with a bad reputation.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JUSTIN JIN

Searching for mysterious human origins, photographer Justin Jin traveled for this Photo of the Week to a dark and dank Laotian cave. The archaeological dig was one stop on the National Geographic Explorer’s hunt for clues to “the other humans” before us.

More adventure: Rounding up Canada’s last reindeer herd

PHOTOGRAPH BY GEORGE STEINMETZ

Few places in the world give photographers a chance to witness the creation of a city—and its destruction just months later. Welcome to these stunning images from a (temporary) megacity. What river is it built along?

A. Brahmaputra
B. Chenab
C. Indus
D. Ganges 

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARC MARTIN SOLA

With a mug like this, what’s not to love? Plus, this deep-sea creature, seen only rarely by humans, also carries the not-charming name of black shedevil anglerfish. Frightening? Nope, this fish, when you can spot it, is soft and squishy.

Today’s Soundtrack: Sunday Morning, Maroon 5

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter, which was edited and curated by David Beard and produced by Amanda Williams-Bryant. Sign up here to catch our future Photos of the Week newsletters.