Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Plyscraper

This 18-story "plyscraper" is taking the eco-friendly construction trend to new heights.

Petroglyphs of Polish

Discover Petroglyphs of Polish in San Martín, Peru: This set of mysterious petroglyphs in the Peruvian jungle could shed light on centuries-old activities in the region.

Family Tree Gravestones

Discover Family Tree Gravestones in Lafayette, Indiana: Tombstones carved to look like tree trunks are used for multiple generations of family members.

The Last Ferryman’s Seat in London

Discover The Ferryman's Seat in London, England: The last remaining example of the boatmen's perches that once dotted the south bank of the Thames.

The Musician

Discover The Musician in Bahamas: A full-scale sculpture of a mermaid and baby grand piano hidden underwater by David Copperfield.

Schepenzaal

Discover Schepenzaal in Kampen, Netherlands: This stately council chamber hasn't changed since 1545.

The Berlin Bear

Discover The Berlin Bear in San Antonio, Texas: The quirky gift from West Berlin for the 1968 World's Fair still stands in Hemisfair Park.

Texas State’s Body Farm

Discover Freeman Ranch Body Farm in San Marcos, Texas: Human remains in varying states of decay are strewn about this Texas State facility for scientific study.

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i
To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 261 ii
To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design. 480 iii
To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared. 514 iv
To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history. 642 ix
To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. 137 v
To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change. 172 vi
To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria). 256 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 151 viii
To be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features. 98 x
To contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation. 168

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