This Weekly Escape investigates a ‘renaissance’ of a Roman-era miracle food long believed extinct. Plus, an even bigger estimate for the world’s biggest shark; advances in lucid dreaming; the oldest map of the Holy Land.

PHOTOGRAP HBY ALICE ZOO

It’s called silphion. It cured diseases and made food tasty, but Emperor Nero allegedly consumed the last stalk. Now, a Turkish researcher thinks he’s found a botanical survivor.

ILLUSTRATION BY JOSE ANTONIO PENAS, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY 

PHOTOGRAPH BY OSCAR BURRIEL, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

If you’ve ever felt like you were in a movie and watching a movie at the same time while you were dreaming, you have probably experienced lucid dreaming. But you may not have known that’s what it was called—or how it can benefit your health and well-being. Here’s how.

Today’s Soundtrack: #9 Dream, José González

Today’s newsletter was edited and curated by David Beard and produced by Alisher Egamov. Thanks for reading!