Note Stack 7-28-26

This month on The Note Stack we talk about the Bayeux Tapestry, a ritual cave, the discovery of plane wreckage, and a Maya signature. We also have a discussion about historical sources and why we do (or do not) believe what they say. Then, of course, we share our Substack picks and what we are reading and watching. News Roundup The Bayeux Tapestry Returns to England For the first time in nearly 1,000 years, the Bayeux Tapestry has returned to England, where it is now on display at the British Museum on loan from France. The 230-foot-long embroidered linen, which depicts the Norman Conquest of 1066 and the Battle of Hastings, was transported in a highly secretive, climate-controlled operation through the Channel Tunnel. The loan is part of an exchange between Britain and France and coincides with renovations at the Bayeux Museum, where the tapestry is normally displayed. Original article here Australian Cave Reveals 25,000 Years of Ritual Practices Archaeologists have discovered evidence that Cloggs Cave in southeastern Australia was used for spiritual rituals continuously for at least 25,000 years, making it one of the world’s longest-known traditions of ceremonial activity. Microscopic plant remains called phytoliths show that people repeatedly burned bundles of grass inside the cave. Evidence they have found inside the cave aligns with the oral traditions of the GunaiKurnai indicating that the cave was used as part of a ritual ceremony. No evidence has been found of cooking or fires being used as warmth. Original article here The Pan Am Crash That Changed Air Travel Searchers have located the wreckage of Pan American’s Clipper Endeavor, a Douglas DC-4 that crashed into the Atlantic shortly after takeoff from Puerto Rico in 1952. Although everyone survived the emergency water landing, confusion, language barriers, and the lack of preflight safety instructions contributed to the deaths of 52 of the 69 people aboard as the aircraft sank. The tragedy prompted safety reforms, including the mandatory preflight safety demonstrations that passengers still receive today. Original article here Ancient Maya Scholar Signs His Work For the first time, archaeologists have identified an individual Maya mathematician and astronomer by name. While studying more than 1,000-year-old inscriptions at the ancient city of Xultún in Guatemala, researchers deciphered the signature of Sak Tahn Waax (”White-chested Fox”), who authored an intricate mathematical calculation related to astronomical cycles. The discovery is significant because Maya scientific achievements are rarely attributed to named individuals. Original article here Instead of Listener Comments… Instead of listener comments this week, Chris and I have a discussion about source criticism. Why do we believe some sources and not others? What types of scrutiny do we apply to historical sources? This is a good starter site if you are interested. Featured Substacks Tina’s Pick: The Mushroomist Here is the article on Lobster Mushrooms I mention in the podcast Chris’ Pick: Dr. Sam Illingworth Reading List Tina is reading: * Hiking Through: One Man’s Journey to Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail — Paul Stutzman * Biking Across America: My Coast-to-Coast Adventure and the People I Met Along the Way — Paul Stutzman * Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President — Candice Millard * The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey — Candice Millard Chris is reading: Link to the Duke Study on Motivation Slow AI: Knowing When to Use AI and When to Leave It Alone — Dr. Sam Illingworth Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions — Dan Ariely This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fantasticfootnotes.substack.com