Donato Giancola

Illustration by Daria Khlebnikova for Legend of the Five Rings

Ossian’s Grave by John MacWhirter (Scottish, 1839–1911)

Histoire de la Magie, 1870

Ancient Maya built sophisticated water filters

Ancient Maya in the once-bustling city of Tikal built sophisticated water filters using natural materials they imported from miles away, according to the University of Cincinnati.

UC researchers discovered evidence of a filter system at the Corriental reservoir, an important source of drinking water for the ancient Maya in what is now northern Guatemala.

A multidisciplinary team of UC anthropologists, geographers and biologists identified crystalline quartz and zeolite imported miles from the city. The quartz found in the coarse sand along with zeolite, a crystalline compound consisting of silicon and aluminum, create a natural molecular sieve. Both minerals are used in modern water filtration. Read more.

Zapotec Civilization, Máscara del Dios Murciélago, 200BC - 200AD [800x1200]