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History & Archaeology
Chasing the Lydian Hoard
Author Sharon Waxman digs into the tangle over looted artifacts between The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Turkish government
Arts & Culture
John Hodgman Gives “More Information Than You Require”
As the stoic voice of fake authority, John Hodgman, best recognized for his appearances as “PC” in the Apple advertising campaign, discusses trivia and how humans distinguish fact from falsehood
Arts & Culture
In Politics, Just Follow
the Signs
Politicians made more sense when they relied on oracles and omens says Joe Queenan
Arts & Culture
American History Museum: Pieces of Our Past
Smithsonian curators probe the meanings of telltale objects
History & Archaeology
Gobekli Tepe: The World’s First Temple?
Predating Stonehenge by 6,000 years, Turkey's stunning Gobekli Tepe upends the conventional view of the rise of civilization
Science & Nature
Things Are Looking Up for Niger’s Wild Giraffes
In desolate Niger, wild giraffes are making a comeback despite having to compete for resources with some of the world's poorest people
Arts & Culture
Q and A: Wanda Jackson
In the 1950s, Wanda Jackson was one of the first women to record rock 'n' roll.
History & Archaeology
Sarah Vowell on the Puritans' Legacy
The author and 'This American Life' correspondent talks about her newest book on the words and influence of the colonies' early religious leaders
Travel
California Academy of Sciences: Greening a Higher Ground
San Francisco's new science museum hosts its own rooftop ecosystem
Arts & Culture
Roy Lichtenstein:
Making History
A well-known sculpture works its way back from 9/11 damage
Science & Nature
Wild Things:
Life as We Know It
Bats' barotrauma, fallow deer, Tahitian vanilla, lucky dinosaurs
Science & Nature
Our Imperiled Oceans: Seeing Is Believing
Photographs and other historical records testify to the former abundance of the sea
Photo Contest
Think Fast
Where was the first (gas) traffic light located?
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Smithsonian Videos
Star-Spangled Salute
Re-enactors relive the Battle of Baltimore
One Life: The Mask of Lincoln
National Portrait Gallery historian David C. Ward discusses images of Abraham Lincoln
Fallow Groan
Watch a fallow buck groan
Fishermen's Fate
In the town of Fort Bragg, California, fishermen scramble to make a living
Coral Reefs and Creatures
The Phoenix Islands provide an unspoiled center for marine science
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CultureSpotter
Experience Mexico Choose from seven videos to learn more about Mexico and its rich history.
Marketplace
SmithsonianStore Worldly Gemstone Wine Stoppers
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Cultured FurnishingsBernhardt Furniture, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, announces new additions to its line of home furnishings.
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Smithsonian.com Features
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Where to Live Next
Check out the 15 cities and towns in our guide to cultured retirement—then tell us what you think
The Smithsonian Life List
Keeping our readers' interests in mind, we've traveled the globe in search of destinations certain to inspire
Wonders of the Deep
The National Museum of Natural History's Sant Ocean Hall illuminates the murky waters of the deep blue sea
Celebrating American Indian Heritage
Sitting Bull's legacy, Native American languages, a national list of events and more
Excavation at Stonehenge
Two renowned Stonehenge academics share stories from their archaeological dig at the ancient site
Dinosaur Dispatch
Follow a paleontology team as their dinosaur dig gets underway in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin
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