Ancient Mesoamericans calmed down and hooked up in sweaty steam baths

A secret laboratory, Japanese hot springs, and how Vikings relaxed. Email not displaying correctly? View in your browser. August 26, 2019 Steamy Aztec Baths Volcanic sweat lodges called temazcales in ancient Mesoamerica were used to cleanse bathers of maladies and illnesses, recharge and recuperate after battle, and were sometimes even spaces for sex. Read More → LONDON, ENGLAND Secret Laboratory The monument to the Great Fire of London of 1666 serves an ulterior purpose. This 17th-century memorial was in fact intended to be used as a scientific instrument. Read more → Japanese Hot Springs A new book by Mark Edward Harris features photographs of people relaxing in onsens—Japan’s natural hot springs. Using the steam and snowy backgrounds to his advantage, the photos capture the long-standing tradition known for its therapeutic effects. Read more → Community Curious Bathrooms Whether it's a bathroom that's become a historic landmark or has an unforgettable entrance or design, tell us about the curious restrooms you've encountered. Share now→ 26 Abandoned Resorts From the forests of Canada to the beaches of Croatia, the Earth is dotted with forgotten relics of relaxation. Though these 26 resorts no longer attract crowds seeking spa treatments and leisure, many maintain their air of solitude and serenity. Read more → Viking Relaxation When they weren’t in longhouses playing their "hnefatafl" board games and downing flagons of ale, Vikings took to the iced-over fjords and snow-covered slopes of Scandinavia and relaxed by skating on bones and hunting on skis. Read more → From our friends at JSTOR Movable Tent Cities During the Ottoman Empire, tents were not just a convenience for travel, but a prized form of architecture in their own right. They were "mobile palaces" so elaborate that their management required the work of a specialized official—the head tent-setter, or otakçibaşi. Read more → Visit AtlasObscura.com · View in Browser · Unsubscribe · See All Newsletters 61 Greenpoint Ave #622, Brooklyn, NY 11222