Rich Text 30: Bonus Links

Some stuff there wasn’t space for in my Rich Text newsletter No. 30:

1. Origin of the world map
   Mythical creatures and mathematical precision met in the Catalan Atlas, a world map that fused Christian and Muslim knowledge.
2. Chance, choice, and the avocado: the strange evolutionary and creative history of Earth’s most nutritious fruit
   How a confused romancer that survived the Ice Age became a tropical sensation and took over the world.
3. Great auks and seal-headed men: a window into ice age Provence
   The Cosquer Cave near Marseilles astonished the diver who discovered it with its ancient depictions of sea and land animals. Now it has been painstakingly recreated.
4. The Maintenance Race
   The world’s first round-the-world solo yacht race was a thrilling and, for some, deadly contest. How its participants maintained their vessels can help us understand just how fundamental maintenance is. (Thanks to Dave W. for the link.)
5. Drone footage reveals hidden 17th Century garden
   The recent heatwave has parched grass lying over a formal garden, which dates back to 1699.
6. How ancient Roman souvenirs made memories and meanings
   Ancient Romans bought mementos to commemorate their travels. These speak eloquently of their world, if we care to listen.