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YOUR WEEKLY ESCAPE: A 1,500-year-old murder mystery

Plus: A Canaanite puzzle is finally solved; the controversy over an 890-million-year-old fossil.

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October 13, 2021 6:42pm EDT

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Your Weekly Escape

Extraordinary people, discoveries, and places

PHOTOGRAPH BY DANIEL LINDSKOG

Can archaeologists solve a 1,500-year-old murder mystery?

One day in the late fifth century, something horrible happened at Sandby Borg, Sweden: 26 people were caught by surprise, murdered, and left where they fell. Now, using forensic clues, a team of scientists is attempting to reconstruct what happened here.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

PHOTOGRAPH BY RASMUS LOETH PETERSEN, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

This 890-million-year-old fossil may be the earliest animal found on Earth

The mesh-like fossil would push back the oldest known animal on Earth by more than 300 million years. But like many claims of very old life, the study is kicking up lively debate.

THE CONTROVERSY

PHOTOGRAPH BY NASA, INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

The moon is electric—especially when it's full

Our pale celestial guardian is often thought of as lifeless, dead, and dull. But recent measurements show it's much more dynamic than it seems from afar.

WHY?

PHOTOGRAPH BY THOMAS P. PESCHAK

The shark photo that took over the internet

"The photograph resonated with people in a way I’d never expected," writes photographer Thomas Peschak. "Then things took an unexpected turn: More and more people suspected that I'd faked the picture."

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Imagine what separates you from one of the ocean's apex predators is less than one inch of plastic—and that plastic is bright yellow, a color some sharks find very attractive.

Thomas Peschak, photographer

From: My shark photo took over the internet

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALBERT BONSFILLS

Inside the Palace of Revelation—a hotel inspired by the apocalypse

It was supposed to be completed by December 12, 2012—then widely speculated to be the date of the apocalypse. Life didn't end then, and neither did construction—but the Palace of Revelation soon began welcoming guests with air conditioning, karaoke, ocean views, and biblical visions of doom.

SEE THE PHOTOS

PAID CONTENT CREATED WITH HYUNDAI

With its cascading waterfalls, diverse plant and wildlife, and rolling hills that stretch out over 500,000 acres, it’s no surprise that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most-visited national park. And now you can take in a breathtaking 360° view of Foothills Parkway and learn about what makes the park so unique by using National Geographic and Hyundai's new augmented reality (AR) experience on Instagram. Try The Effect Now.

PHOTOGRAPH BY GRIFFIN AERIAL IMAGING

A Canaanite palace was abandoned 3,700 years ago. We finally know why.

In the 18th century B.C., it was a sight to behold. Larger than a modern shopping mall, the palace at Tel Kabri held wall paintings, a fancy banquet hall, and storage rooms packed with spiced wine. Then, suddenly, it was abandoned.

THE INVESTIGATION

MORE GREAT READS

What if other human species hadn't died out? (BBC) ››

Nature is medicine. But what's the right dose? (Outside) ››

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YOUR WEEKLY ESCAPE: A 1,500-year-old murder mystery

Plus: A Canaanite puzzle is finally solved; the controversy over an 890-million-year-old fossil.

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