Chasing Crusoe is a Flash project about Robinson Crusoe, his real-life prototype Alexander Selkirk, and the island where he or they were marooned.

Happy St Dwynwen's day. Because one St Valentine's day is not enough. Get your Love Spoons out.

Circus images - a Dutch collection with some marvellous pictures (Flash). Via more inside

Greek pagans will attempt to hold a ceremony in the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens today after obtaining legal recognition. There is some doubt about whether this will be allowed. more inside

The tomb of Mona Lisa may have been found. There's talk of DNA samples, but I hope they leave her alone. more inside

The Edge project (Flash) of the Zoological Society of London has produced a prioritised list of endangered animals, based on how unusual and how threatened they are. You might want to browse the top 100. I'm afraid I may have nightmares about the Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat.

The UK is 300 years old on 16 January. The signature of the Act of Union was commemorated at the time by the planting of some trees which still survive. Nothing much by way of celebration seems to have been planned this time round, apart from a commemorative £2 coin. The Union may not, in fact, survive much longer, as support for Scottish independence slowly grows.Gordon Brown has been trying to combat the drift towards separation, but a recent poll showed 52% of Scots in favour of independence. 59% of English voters were in favour.

Henry VIII's songs, poems, and speeches. Just one small part of Luminarium, a splendid anthology of eng. lit from medieval to Restoration.

Selected papers of Alfred Russel Wallace have been digitised by the Natural History Museum in London. more inside

Mummies from the mysterious Chachapoyas culture, responsible for the gigantic fortress of Kuelap, have gone on show in Lima. There are many ruins and many mummies in the region, it seems, many of the latter unexplored.

Visual dictionary. Or spell it with Flickr.

Memorynet is a collection of memories from the North East (of England). (Flash desirable) Themes such as superstitions and traditions are worth a look.

Trolley spotting. Flickr trollies. Trolley art. Trolley furniture. Injurious trolleys. Homeopathic trolley remedy. Trolley morons.

Santa Claus website problems.

Your surname - its origins. Its distribution in the UK , or US.

St Nicholas' feast day was yesterday. Hope you had a good one. more inside

Dr Ambedkar , champion of the Dalits (untouchables) and creator of the Indian Constitution, died 50 years ago on Thursday. There are tensions as the day approaches. more inside

The pencil pages include fascinating articles and an amazing gallery of pencil pictures (including the world's largest. See also Leadholder for a fine collection of vintage ads and other drafting pencil stuff.

Ten outsider artists (Flash)

Hijras, or eunuchs are to be used by Indian tax authorities to collect debts. The hiras can be pretty scary, and claim the power to curse or bless. Pictures.