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  • In pictures

Fairs, fires and the future of Smithfield

As meat trading in the area ends, Tom Bolton looks at the history of London’s Smithfield, which has been a place of healing and death, markets and mess for 900 years.

  • Article

Thunderbolts and lightning

Fire in the sky has always exerted a hold on our imagination, even as early scientists unlocked the secrets of atmospheric electricity.

  • Article

A bad atmosphere in the Balkans

The citizens of Belgrade, one of the most polluted cities in Europe, are finally pushing back against the polluters, whose activities they’ve been encouraged to accept.

  • Article

Why zombies can’t help coming back

Although it might appear that zombies are a 20th-century phenomenon, created for the horror-movie industry, they’ve actually been around since medieval times. Find out what zombies like to do, and how to get rid of them.

All stories (71)

Images

  • Saint Mary (the Blessed Virgin) as protector against fires. Engraving by Geoffroy.
  • The Christ Child shooting arrows into the believer's heart to conquer the fires of lust. Engraving by A. Wierix, ca. 1600.
  • A four armed deity and three priests sit facing twelve sacrificial fires and make offerings to the god of fire, Agni. Gouache painting by an Indian artist.
  • An elephant fight, with a few men holding spears with sparkling fires at one end. Gouache painting on mica by an Indian artist.
  • A young woman, perhaps Prudentia, warns an alchemist of the dangers of abusing fire: in the background fires rage in buildings and mines. Oil painting after Marten de Vos.
  • A young woman, perhaps Prudentia, warns an alchemist of the dangers of abusing fire: in the background fires rage in buildings and mines. Oil painting after Marten de Vos.
  • A young woman, perhaps Prudentia, warns an alchemist of the dangers of abusing fire: in the background fires rage in buildings and mines. Engraving by C. de Passe after M. de Vos, 16th century.
  • A young woman, perhaps Prudentia, warns an alchemist of the dangers of abusing fire: in the background fires rage in buildings and mines. Engraving by C. de Passe after M. de Vos, 16th century.
  • A soldier in military uniform fires condoms from his gun representing an advertisement for safe sex to prevent AIDS by the STD/AIDS Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Uganda. Colour lithograph by Bayo, D.S., 1996.
  • Protect your child from fire : close fitting garments plus fire guards spell safety : see also our pamphlet "A child in danger" / Fire Offices' Committee, Fire Protection Association, London.
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