An Oasis of Open Water

Inuit in Canada and Greenland want to protect an ecological wonder—a massive Arctic polynya—at the center of their world.

Nov 27, 2018 | 3,400 words, about 17 minutes

In the Chesapeake Bay, Shell Mounds Show a Long History of Sustainable Oyster Harvests

Indigenous peoples in the Chesapeake harvested oysters sustainably for thousands of years—until the introduction of new techniques by Europeans decimated the stocks.

Nov 22, 2018 | 650 words, about 3 minutes

Clues in a Copper Band

An artifact from coastal Georgia gives insight into 4,000-year-old trade routes and the beginnings of social hierarchies.

Nov 21, 2018 | 700 words, about 3 minutes

The Halibut Hook Revival

An ingenious Indigenous fishing technology with spiritual significance is making a comeback.

Oct 23, 2018 | 2,300 words, about 12 minutes

Oil Spills Are Bad for Shipwrecks

By enhancing microbial activity, oil spills may speed up the corrosion of historical shipwrecks and artificial reefs.

Oct 18, 2018 | 450 words, about 2 minutes

Herschel, the Very Hungry Sea Lion

It’s dangerous to blame the decline of one species on a single predator. We humans like to do it anyway.

Oct 16, 2018 | 3,700 words, about 19 minutes

For the Ancient Aleuts, the Bird Was the Word

On the remote western Aleutian Islands, birds wove their way—sometimes literally—into every facet of Aleut life.

Oct 4, 2018 | 850 words, about 4 minutes

Possible Evidence of World’s Oldest Fishing Nets Unearthed in Korea

Stone sinkers dated to 29,000 years ago are evidence of ancient fishing technology—but some archaeologists have doubts.

Oct 1, 2018 | 550 words, about 2 minutes