Karen Wynn Fonstad, a geographer, spent two and a half years creating “The Atlas of Middle-earth” (1981) after securing a dream assignment to map J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional world. Her detailed work wowed fans and scholars, leading to commissions for other fantasy worlds. Fonstad’s influence on the gaming industry and fantasy mapmaking continues to be felt today.
Full Article
Dozens of Bodies Recovered From Illegal Mine in South Africa
South African authorities recovered 60 dead miners and rescued 132 alive from a shuttered gold mine where they were working illegally, amidst a blockade that cut off supplies. The operation to extract all miners is ongoing, with potentially hundreds still underground. The incident highlights the challenges faced by illegal miners in South Africa, rooted in wealth inequality and a history of exploitative mining practices. Full Article
Read more