M.J. Rose

We’re not quite sure what to think of this discovery — A rare metal that according to legend was mined only in ATLANTIS was found in an ancient shipwreck?! Could this be possible?

Mysterious Legendary Metal Found In Ancient Shipwreck
by Janet Fang (IFLS)

“When the mythical island of Atlantis submerged into the ocean, it took all of its orichalcum with it. The legendary cast metal was reputedly second only to gold in value. Now, a team of divers say they’ve recovered 39 blocks of orichalcum in a sixth-century shipwreck on the seafloor near Sicily, Discovery News reports. The 2,600-year-old ship, likely from Greece or somewhere in Asia Minor, was carrying the metal to Gela in southern Sicily when it was caught in a storm and sank around 300 meters (1,000 feet) from the port.

“Nothing similar has ever been found,” Sebastiano Tusa of Sicily’s Sea Office says. “We knew orichalcum from ancient texts and a few ornamental objects.” According to Plato’s Critias, the metal was mined only on Atlantis, where it was used to cover the inside of Poseidon’s temple…”

For the complete article click here.

From the ever-eclectic Atlas Obscura, comes a preview of a museum much like our own: A museum of mysteries. This attraction in Prague is suited for those of us (you too right?) particularly fascinated by the occult history of old Prague…

The Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague

The history of occult science is turned into a creepshow at this sensational Prague attraction

Contributor: EricGrundhauser, Atlas Obscura)

“Prague is a city steeped in history both known and otherwise, and the darker side of the Czech capitol’s past is brought to light in evocative displays at The Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague, which looks at some of the famous dabblers in the dark arts that have called the city home.

As king of much of eastern Europe and eventually Holy Roman Emperor during the 16th century, Rudolf II was not known as an especially effective ruler, but he is widely remembered for his interest and patronage of the occult arts. It was during his reign that he turned Prague into the unofficial capitol of the dark arts. Funding a number of alchemists and other so-called sorcerers, most notably the likes of Edward Kelley and John Dee, Rudolf created possibly the most active period of occult practice in history.

Whether or not his patrons were simply charlatans wrapped in mystery (which they probably were), or bold proto-scientists, the legacy of these magicians and madmen is remembered with a carnival flair at The Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague…”

For the rest of the story, and beautiful interior photos of the museum, click here.

Do you ever feel like you would be better off dancing the night away in a secret underwater ballroom? There is a place for you…

A Secret Ballroom Built In The 1800s Lies Under A Lake, Guarded By Neptune

“A giant statue of Neptune sits atop an underwater dome enclosing a secret room under the lake of the Witley Park in England…

The entire estate was drenched in opulence and extravagance. It was built in the late 1800s by Whitaker Wright, a shady businessman who was convicted of fraud after many years of floating bad loans and swindling investors. In 1904, he took his own life via cyanide pill on the day of his sentencing…”

Read more and see the stunning photos here.