Why We Buy Weird Things in Times of Crisis
With COVID-19 making its way around the United States, people are emptying stores of toilet paper. Archaeology throws a light on other bouts of odd consumer behavior.
Why We Buy Weird Things in Times of Crisis
Economics
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The Bitter Side of Cocoa Production
An anthropologist works to give producers a voice in the chocolate industry, taking a lesson from high-end coffee, wine, and cheese.
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Corporate “Sorcerers” Reveal the Magical Power of Capitalism
A company’s appropriation of an Indigenous ritual highlights the power of businesses to destroy traditions, community ties, and ecosystems.
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Why Did Chinese Farmers Switch to Wheat?
A shift in ancient Chinese crops shows how agricultural practices can help or hinder food production in the face of environmental change.
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Archaeology of the 99 Percent
The vast majority of people in antiquity were too poor to leave many artifacts behind. But archaeologists have learned how to look beyond temples and palaces.
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Without Parking, Those Who Live in Vehicles Have Nowhere to Go
People who dwell in RVs or cars may have "homes"—but their lives are often unnecessarily precarious.