The Mandaean religion in Iraq and Iran claims John the Baptist as its prophet — it's one of the world's smallest ancient religions.

Abstract art didn't begin with Picasso — Wassily Kandinsky is generally credited as the first to paint purely abstract works around 1910.

Calligraphy is considered one of the highest art forms in East Asian, Middle Eastern, and European medieval traditions.

Beethoven continued composing music after becoming deaf.

Celtic mythology featured a world beyond death called the Otherworld — not a punishment but a paradise.

The longest note ever held by a human was over 40 seconds by singer Alpaslan Durmuş.

More people die taking selfies than from shark attacks in some recent years.

The Japanese concept of 'Bushido' (way of the warrior) was largely codified in the early 20th century, not feudal Japan.

The oldest known musical instrument is a flute carved from a vulture bone, found in Germany and dated to 40,000 years ago.