Lust for gold doomed an empire

Thursday, January 26, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we see how a lust for gold doomed the Inca Empire, discuss the legacy of slavery in the U.S., learn why vultures look like that, admire natural wonders that no longer exist … and take Nat Geo’s high-altitude quiz.

ALBUM/AKG-IMAGES/FOTOTECA GILARDI

Inca emperor Atahualpa was forced into a harrowing deal: his gold or his life.

Captured by Spanish conquistadors, the emperor offered a room full of treasure—piled all the way to the top—for his freedom.

Did the more than six tons of gold save the emperor and his people? Or did it doom everyone involved, including his captors?

Read the full story here.

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Lost treasure: Legend holds that a large portion of Atahualpa’s gold (like the mask, at top) remains hidden in a mountain cave. The Spaniards (depicted above capturing Atahualpa) still managed, however, to deliver 20 percent of the gold to their king. Read more.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

PHOTOGRAPH BY MOISES SAMAN

Ancient caravan kingdoms left traces of temples (like Yemen’s Baran Temple, above). Now the ruins are on the UNESCO World Heritage in Danger list.

Clothing from 1600s shipwreck shows how the 1 percent lived

Origami is revolutionizing technology, from medicine to space

How do you explain slavery to kids?

A wildlife first: World’s biggest ocean stingray tagged in the wild

‘Fire of Love’ was nominated for an Oscar. Meet the woman who inspired the documentary.

Redheads aren’t going extinct. Here’s why.

Breathtaking natural wonders that no longer exist

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY REBECCA HALE

New light on history: “The way you change your society is by helping people to better understand it,” says Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, in a recent Q&A with Nat Geo (Hannah-Jones pictured above, right). Her work on The 1619 Project about the legacy of slavery in America changed the national conversation—and now, it’s becoming even more accessible as a six-part docuseries on Hulu. The first two episodes are available today.

EXPANDING THE STORY

PHOTO OF THE DAY

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHARLIE HAMILTON JAMES

No beauty queen: Nat Geo Explorer Charlie Hamilton James concedes that Rüppell’s griffon vultures (above) have an ugly appearance. But it all serves a purpose, he says. Their long necks are featherless because they’re often reaching into horrible places to feed. Their barbed tongues help grasp flesh and their eight-foot wingspan allows them to soar as high as 37,000 feet (11,000 meters).

MORE VITAL THAN VILE

WHO WAS THIS PIONEER?

PHOTOGRAPH BY RENAN OZTURK

Who was this explorer? He was last seen only 800 feet below the summit of Mount Everest on June 8, 1924. Together with George Mallory, the plucky 22-year-old was attempting to be the first to reach the top. It’s unclear whether he was successful, but it’s possible the camera he was likely carrying holds the answer (above, a 2019 expedition to recover his body). Who is it?

DO YOU KNOW?

Today’s soundtrack: Lights Out, Santigold

This newsletter was curated and edited by David Beard, Sydney Combs, and Jen Tse.

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Lust for gold doomed an empire

Lust for gold doomed an empire

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