This chalice became the Holy Grail; the birder behind Pantone colors

 

THE REAL JESUS VIEW ONLINE

WHERE IS THE CHALICE USED BY JESUS AT THE LAST SUPPER?

Saturday, December 9, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we chase one of Christianity’s most coveted objects, figure out how magnesium affects your sleep, learn about ripples in space-time ... and discover the birder who codified our colors. Plus, why are crocodiles clambering north in Florida?

ORONOZ/ALBUM Today, the Holy Grail can mean any sort of object that is eagerly sought after and pursued. The original, however, was a chalice said to be used by Jesus during the Last Supper—the most coveted object in Christianity. It became the quest of medieval kings and, in the movies, of Indiana Jones and Monty Python. Does the Holy Grail even exist? (Above, the Chalice of Valencia.) HERE’S THE FULL STORY

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

PHOTOGRAPH BY JASPER DOEST

Why does Pantone have a color of the year? It started with ... birds (above, American flamingos get their color from eating crustaceans and algae) Related: The history of pink How magnesium affects your sleep and anxiety Finding a lost Maya city—and other stunning archaeological advances this year Immense ripples in space-time—and other jaw-dropping scientific discoveries in 2023 Tea? Chicken soup? Foods that may help you through a cold. How an ancient revolt sparked the Festival of Lights

Why is schizophrenia in women misunderstood—and often misdiagnosed? The hunt for the real, historical Jesus How did the parents of Jesus become a couple? Why are these crocodiles crawling northward through Florida? FDA approves CRISPR gene therapy to treat sickle cell—and other 2023 medical breakthroughs

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY LYNSEY ADDARIO Cellphones for survival: To this Indigenous group in the Amazon, the forest is their parent who supplies everything. Each day, more outlaw loggers advance toward their homes to take the forest away. So the Kanamari have accepted technology (above) and fuel for vigilante groups watching and reporting the invaders, Nat Geo Explorer Lynsey Addario tells us. See her report. STOPPING THE OUTLAWS

LAST GLIMPSE

PHOTOGRAPH BY JASPER DOEST Message in a bottle: He found the encased note, washed up by the waves, during 50 days spent alone on a deserted island more than a decade ago. Nat Geo Explorer Jasper Doest tracked down, responded, and has remained in contact with the sender’s family. Of his solo photo venture, Doest says: ”People tend to think that being alone is a bad thing. But to me it felt like freedom in every vein.” (Above, island dune formations on an autumn day.) SEE HIS PHOTOS

Today’s soundtrack: O Descobridor Dos Sete Mares, Tim Maia This newsletter has been curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, and Jen Tse. Thanks for reading! Know someone who might want our newsletter in their inbox? Here’s the signup.

SHOP DONATE SUBSCRIBE TRAVEL

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply. This email was sent to: peter.hovis@gmail.com. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored. This email contains an advertisement from:  National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences. Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies. © 2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.