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PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK THIESSEN

Even T. rex would have feared Zuul, the 'destroyer of shins'

Zuul crurivastator, a recently discovered species of ankylosaurid, was a 20-foot-long living tank bristling with armor. In death, this hulking fossil is amazingly well-preserved from its snout to its sledgehammer-like tail—the perfect weapon for delivering bone-shattering damage.

THE 'GHOSTBUSTERS' DINO

FINE ART IMAGES/AGE FOTOSTOCK

The rebel queen who conquered Egypt and took on Rome

Located in the middle of modern-day Syria, Palmyra sat at the crossroads between the Mediterranean world ruled by Rome and the great empires of Asia. Its queen, Zenobia, had seized power after her husband fell victim to palace intrigue—and she rapidly set out to expand her empire.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

PHOTOGRAPH BY EDSON VANDEIRA, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC IMAGE COLLECTION

Why Mount Everest won't stay put

Rising at the border of Tibet and Nepal, Everest formed from a tectonic smashup between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates tens of millions of years ago. The collision crumpled the landscape, raising mountains along some 1,500 miles. While mysteries remain about this continental crash, the collision continues to this day.

AN ANCIENT GEOLOGIC SMASHUP

PHOTOGRAPH BY JEAN PAINLEVÉ

In the 1920s, a visionary photographer mixed surrealism with science

From the ethereal mating dance of seahorses to octopus tentacles emerging from a watery fog, Jean Painlevé presented common sea creatures as both scientific specimens and as works of art.

SEE VINTAGE PICTURES

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAVIER AZNAR GONZÁLEZ DE RUEDA

This might be the weirdest insect on Earth

Many flaunt outlandish outcroppings, such as the helicopter-like orbs of Bocydium sp. Others play it coy, mimicking thorns, leaves, or insect droppings. Still others resemble drops of rainwater. But some of these treehoppers have even stranger habits—like caring for their young.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

QUOTE

The intimate fornication of these creatures—in which the female impregnates the male, and males give birth—was not only censored but sparked a conversation about gender-role reversal, which [Jean] Painlevé keenly encouraged.

READ ON: In the 1920s, a visionary photographer mixed surrealism with science

PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN WEBB, NHM IMAGE RESOURCES

What's the nutritional value of humans? Scientists have an answer for that.

The good news (we suppose) is that compared with other prehistoric prey animals, humans aren't especially packed with calories. In the Paleolithic, our ancestors realized they were much better off taking down a mammoth.

CANNIBALISM IN OUR FAMILY TREE

COURTESY CHILDREN'S GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Welcome to the town that Lego built

In 2020, Billund became the first Danish city to be named a UNICEF Child Friendly City. But while some cities stop there, Billund saw the designation as a stamp of approval on a bigger vision: to build on a legacy of family fun, empower local children, create a community that serves all citizens—and inspire the world.

THE CAPITAL OF CHILDREN

OTHER GREAT READS

The mystery of how dinosaurs had sex (BBC) ››

They cracked this 250-year-old code, and found a secret society inside (Wired) ››

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