Untangling the mysteries of the world’s rarest thread

Gemstone beetles, a valley of lilies, and more.
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	March 27, 2023

Unusual Materials

The World’s Rarest Thread

Sea silk sounds like the stuff of legend. Harvested from rare clams, this thread flashes gold in the sunlight, weighs almost nothing, and comes with a heavy load of misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and misinformation. Almost nothing is known directly about the history of sea silk before about 1700—though its myth-shrouded history seems to date back much further.

Archaeology and Insects

Gemstone Beetles

For years, archaeologists have debated why decorative metals and semi-precious stones have never been uncovered in the American Southwest from the period 500 BCE to 500 CE, when Basketmaker II society was in the thick of an agricultural revolution. But now, the discovery of 2,000-year-old, iridescent green figeater beetle (Cotinis mutabilis) jewelry at two sites at Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah may help solve a long-standing historical mystery.

Carmel-By-The-Sea, California

Calla Lily Valley

Not far from Gate 19 in Garrapata State Park (near mile marker 63), is a small, almost hidden gate inviting visitors to venture through. From there, it’s a small hike through patches of wildflowers until you come face-t0-face with a beautiful little valley, complete with a creek that flows into the ocean.

Sponsored by Starbucks

How Two Seemingly Opposite Italian Food Staples Share Similar Roots

Olive oil? In coffee? It’s more likely than you might think. Both coffee and olives have charted their own outsized legacies in Italy, with their histories stretching back centuries. And yet, these two fruits have never intermingled with each other—until now. Introducing Oleato™, Starbucks® coffee infused with Partanna® extra virgin olive oil.

The Best Underwater Photography

Hidden beneath churning ocean waves is a world teeming with unknown creatures. And luckily for us, there are a lot of daring photographers who aren’t afraid to get a little wet in order to get a glimpse of these underwater wonders. From stunning pink coral-scapes to mating coconut octopuses, here are some of our favorite images from this year’s “Underwater Photographer of the Year” competition. Welcome to the wonderful world beneath the ocean’s waves.

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Gearrannan Blackhouse Village

This cluster of houses was built in the late 1800s. They’re the traditional blackhouses that once dotted the Hebridean landscape, and preserve a piece of the Outer Hebrides’ past. It also serves as a picturesque place for travelers to spend a night or two. Sign us up.

Atlas Obscura Courses

Designing Immersive Gatherings

In this four-part seminar, acclaimed immersive theater director and experience designer Zach Morris of Third Rail Projects will walk us through the elements of immersive gatherings and guide us through the process of designing our own. This course is designed for everyone; whether you’d like to design a celebration or social event, create a memorable product launch, fold elements into a performance, or more, this class will offer something meaningful for you.

Mystery Meat or Pork Roll?

Biting into a pork roll sandwich is kind of like biting into a bologna sandwich, except it’s not. And it’s a little like eating ham, except it isn’t. Pork roll, or Taylor ham as it’s called in most of north Jersey, isn’t quite like any processed meat product in the rest of the United States. It’s a delicious combination of miscellaneous pork product, sugar, spices, and salt. It’s all processed, smoked, packaged, and sold in New Jersey–and almost nowhere else.

The seed of the Coco de Mer is the largest in the world. Each one weighs about the same as three bowling balls. When foragers harvest the fruit early—while the seed is still forming—it contains a milky jelly that tastes like a sweet, slightly citrusy coconut with the texture of soft Turkish delight. And yet, for something so delicious, only a handful of people have ever eaten it.

Atlas Obscura Trips

Journey With Us Through Bulgaria

Join us as we explore Europe’s most southeasterly corner, taking in jaw-dropping natural landscapes, wandering picturesque old towns, and feasting on hearty local cuisine. Guided by our passionate and knowledgeable trip leader, you’ll come face-to-face with the rich and often tragic history of one of Europe’s oldest countries, which stands on the frontier between Europe and the Middle East: Bulgaria.

The definitive guide to the world's hidden wonders.