This Photo of the Week is a spontaneous image by a photographer finding joy far from home. Plus, we survive Afghanistan’s horse-charging national sport and go diving under pyramids. While we’re there, we get tips on taking underwater photos.

PHOTOGRAPH BY  SARA HYLTON

Grief drove National Geographic Explorer Sara Hylton to this land—and that’s where she found joy (and these images). Where was it? 

A. Bangladesh
B. India
C. Myanmar
D. Thailand
E. Vietnam 

PHOTOGRAPH BY NICHOLE SOBECKI

The rising Nile waters submerged parts of an ancient necropolis, but researchers—and Nat Geo Explorer Nichole Sobecki—weren't going to let parts of history die. This team used innovative underwater archaeology techniques to preserve the past. Also, it was fun.

Photography 101: How to take images underwater

Also: Are these the last days of Brazil’s hidden wonder?  

National Geographic’s documentary film ’Sugarcane’ has been nominated for an Oscar. See the trailer—and see it streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

Related: They were taken from their families as children. Can that trauma be healed?

PHOTOGRAPH BY BALAZS GARDI 

One Friday afternoon, photographer Balazs Gardi found himself amid a rushing mass of humanity—and horses. All were in the middle of Afghanistan’s national sport, known as buzkashi. The heart-thumping, “goat grabbing” game has endured for centuries, although it has a new element of danger—it is frowned upon by the nation’s Taliban masters. Take a look!

Also from Balazs Gardi: Powerful photographs of our use—and misuse—of water 

Today’s Soundtrack: Dive, Olivia Dean

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.