This exquisite relief represents Queen Bint-Anat, the daughter of Pharaoh Ramses II and one of his prominent royal consorts. Positioned on the surface of his imposing statue at the Grand Egyptian Museum, the intricate craftsmanship of her attire and crown captivates the viewer. Her dress, skillfully belted at the chest, exemplifies the artistic prowess of the era. The crown, adorned with a cobra at the forefront and elements associated with the goddess Hathor, signifies her esteemed connection to this deity, thus emphasizing her stature as a lady of the royal palace. The delicately rendered features and dignified demeanor of Queen Bint-Anat underscore the beauty and high status of royal women in ancient Egypt, illuminating their vital roles in both the court and in the realm of divine representation.

Ol Doinyo Lengai, known as the “Mountain of God” in the lyrical Maasai language, reigns as Earth’s most peculiar volcano. Nestled within Tanzania’s stunning landscape, it breaks the mold as the sole active volcano that spews forth natro-carbonatite lava, defying the usual silica-based molten rock. This lava, with its captivating black hue, is a product of its unique chemical structure and erupts at a surprisingly low temperature. While the fiery giants of Hawaii unleash basaltic lava that can soar to a scorching 1100 degrees Celsius, Ol Doinyo Lengai’s molten marvel emerges at a mere 510 degrees Celsius. The enchantment only deepens when this enigmatic black lava encounters moisture, transforming into a dazzling white, creating the illusion that the summit is cloaked in snow—when in reality, it is merely a spectacular metamorphosis of lava at play.