Valuable Treasures Discovered In The Most Unexpected Places

We’ve all encountered unexpected discoveries in our lives. Perhaps you unearthed a forgotten $20 bill in a rarely-used coat pocket or stumbled upon a cherished family heirloom while tidying up your basement. Like these discoveries, the findings on this list were also accidental, ranging from strange to valuable.

While some were the result of sheer luck, others were born out of relentless dedication and perseverance. Hopefully, this list encourages you to remain observant and embrace your curiosity. After all, who knows what awe-inspiring treasures you might stumble upon in unexpected places?

Long-Lost Ship And Gold In Namibian Desert – Est. Value: $13 million

The Namibian Desert is probably the last place you’d expect to find a ship. But believe it or not, that’s where the remains of the Bom Jesus were discovered. This Portuguese ship vanished half a millennium ago when it sank off the coast of Namibia after a bad storm. As time passed and the coastline waters receded, the Bom Jesus reemerged.

Diamond miners found the shipwreck in 2008 and alerted the Namibian government. In response, a team was dispatched to excavate the wreckage, revealing a stunning trove: a staggering 2,000 pure gold coins and tens of thousands of pounds of copper ingots, nearly all perfectly preserved.

Soviet-Built T34/76A In Lake Kurtna Matasjarv – Est. Value: $6 million

In Lake Kurtna Matasjärv in Estonia, a young man named Kasper unveiled secrets in its depths in 2000. The discovery began when he found a peculiar marking and a nearby rope submerged beneath the lake’s surface. A widespread excavation soon followed that engaged the entire town.

At the other end of the rope, a Soviet-built T34/76A tank emerged from the murky depths. Kasper’s revelation was a fortuitous encounter, leaving unanswered questions about the tank’s origin and how it came to rest there, leaving it still a mystery to many people today.

Secret Theater In French Catacombs – Est. Value: $5,000-$10,000 (Cost To Build)

The Paris Catacombs were originally constructed in response to Paris’s dire need for a more suitable repository for the deceased. In the late 1700s, the city made the unconventional choice of utilizing tunnels that extended a staggering five stories underground, turning them into a macabre resting place for countless bodies.

During a 2004 routine police training exercise, a fully-equipped movie theater was discovered with its rocky confines transformed into an impromptu amphitheater. It was complete with projection equipment, a full-sized cinema screen, and an assortment of films that were neither offensive nor banned. This makes us wonder why someone would want to make a secret movie hideout.

Ancient Chapel Under House – Est. Value: $10,000-$50,000 (Cost To Build, Adj. For Inflation)

In Shropshire, England, Pat and Diane Farla were hosting a Good Friday party when curiosity finally got the better of one of them, prompting them to investigate what lay behind a six-foot-long rectangular plate on their wall in 2010. Despite owning the home for three years, they had never ventured to look behind it before.

Upon removing the plate, they stumbled upon a concealed passage leading to a minuscule underground chapel, equipped with pews and a cross. Authorities are speculating that this clandestine subterranean church might have served as a sanctuary for congregations fleeing religious persecution during one of England’s tumultuous religious conflicts centuries ago.

1,000-Year-Old Viking Ship Buried On Farm Lands – Est. Value: $545,000

In 2019, a team of archaeologists stumbled upon an unexpected discovery while using ground-penetrating radar during their expedition in Edoy, Norway. Hidden beneath the frozen ground, they unearthed a remarkably well-preserved ship dating back to either the Merovingian or Viking Period. Astonishingly, the vessel lay just two feet below the surface.

The team of archaeologists discovered the ship by chance, as they were originally on a different expedition. This ancient ship was nestled within a burial mound that had remained undisturbed for a millennium. The team’s employment of deep-radar technology paralleled the technique used to uncover the renowned GJellestad Ship, also located in Norway.

50-Year-Old Safe Behind Kitchen Wall – Est. Value: $52,000

In Phoenix, Arizona, a couple’s kitchen renovation took an unexpected turn when they discovered a concealed safe nestled behind one of their kitchen walls in 2015. Inside the safe was not only a substantial sum of $50,000 in crisp $100 bills but also a vintage bottle of bourbon dating back to the 1960s.

There was a also well-worn copy of A Guide for the Perplexed by E.F. Schumacher, a novel published in 1977. After looking closely, the book had detailed notes, a map of Arizona, and a Bingo card with some highlighted numbers. Despite their best efforts, the couple has thus far been unable to decipher the clues that lay before them.

Qing Dynasty Vase In An Attic – Est. Value: $19 million

When homeowners in Paris ventured into their attic in 2018, they stumbled upon an exquisitely adorned porcelain vase that had been quietly tucked away for years. Recognizing its potential significance, the couple took it for a professional assessment by Sotheby’s.

To their astonishment, Sotheby’s experts authenticated the vase as an original masterpiece from the Qing Dynasty and estimated its value to be between $590,000 and $825,000. However, this unassuming attic discovery surpassed all expectations when it fetched an astonishing $19 million at auction.

A Valuable Painting Behind Wall – Est. Value: $15.4 million

In Arlington, Vermont, two brothers were conducting a postmortem excavation of their father’s home in 2006 when they stumbled upon an original Norman Rockwell painting hidden behind the walls. To their amazement, this Rockwell masterpiece bore an uncanny resemblance to the one hanging on the wall just a few inches away.

Their father had concealed the original artwork from his ex-wife during a bitter divorce and stashed the genuine Rockwell behind the wall, replacing it with a convincing fake. For years, this hidden gem remained unnoticed until their father’s passing. At a Sotheby’s auction, the painting, titled “Breaking Home Ties,” found a new home after selling for a staggering $15.4 million.

Missing Original Mark Twain Script In A Trunk – Est. Value: $1.5 million

This literary artifact, authored by the renowned writer Mark Twain, had been lost for over a century. The Mark Twain Project at the University of Southern California had given up hope of finding it, because Twain himself sent it to Buffalo, New York, where it mysteriously disappeared. Then, it was discovered inside a trunk in a dusty attic in Hollywood, California in 1991.

Surprisingly, the owner of the trunk was the granddaughter of one of Twain’s close associates and she later turned it over to Sotheby’s for authentification. The 665-page document, a handwritten rendition of Twain’s masterpiece Huckleberry Finn, unveiled a surprising departure from the original source text, challenging established notions about modern literature.

Terracotta Warriors Near Secret Tomb – Est. Value: $4.5 million per warrior

In 1974, Chinese laborers while building a well unearthed thousands of astonishing terracotta clay figures, meticulously adorned for battle in Xi’an, Shaanxi, China. The figures were found near the grand mausoleum constructed for Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. Now known as the Terracotta Army, it was turned over to UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1987.

These clay figures are very detailed, collectively representing the royal army under the reign of the emperor. Of the 8,000 terracotta soldiers, only 2,000 have been excavated. This assembly of warriors was meticulously crafted with the noble purpose of safeguarding the emperor during his passage to the afterlife, a momentous event that transpired in 210 B.C.

‘Alien’ Spaceship At The Bottom Of The Baltic Sea – Est. Value: Unknown

A deep-sea alien hunt naturally captures the imagination, and Swedish scientists embarked on such an expedition in in 2015. In the depths of the Baltic Sea, they stumbled upon an anomaly, sparking widespread speculation about the possibility of a hidden spaceship. Despite the explorers denying that it was a spaceship, no one is also certain what the anomaly is.

Peter Lindberg, the leader of the Ocean Explorer team suggested it might be a “natural geological formation” – reasoning the strange form could not be an alien spaceship due to its absence of metallic components.

WWII Plane In Papua New Guinea Jungle – Est. Value: $9 million

The “Swamp Ghost” was a Boeing B-17E bomber that played a formidable role during World War II. But during the war, the plane was hit by the enemy and crashed in the thick jungles of Papua New Guinea, which ended its missions. This fateful incident took place during a raid on Japanese positions in Rabaul, New Britain.

Decades after its crash, the Swamp Ghost remained undisturbed until it was found in 1972, wrapped in kunai grass and mire. Upon its discovery, it bore evidence of its last moments, including thermoses of coffee still resting in the cockpit. According to certain estimates, the value of such a remarkably well-preserved WWII aircraft is estimated at approximately $9 million.

Ancient Mechanism In A 2000-Year-Old Shipwreck – Est. Value: Priceless

The Antikythera Mechanism, a remarkable astronomical calculator dating back over two millennia, is an intricate assembly of thirty meticulously crafted bronze gears. Made by Greek artisans in ancient times, this complex object has been difficult for researchers to understand. Mike Edmunds from Cardiff University has even said it is as valuable as the famous Mona Lisa painting.

Discovered in 1900 amidst the remnants of an ancient shipwreck near Antikythera, a diminutive Greek isle, the machine’s origins trace back to 65 B.C. Carbon dating has confirmed its age, making it a priceless artifact that cannot be valued conventionally. It provides us with immeasurable knowledge about ancient understanding of the cosmos.

Human-Like Figures Along The Alaskan Shore – Est. Value: Priceless

In 2015, some Alaskans found something strange while walking along the the empty coast of Point Woronzof near Anchorage. At first glance in the distance, the figures looked to be a group of distressed bodies trapped in ice and snow, but it was actually an art installation by Sarah Davies.

Sarah Davies drew her inspiration from a deeply personal encounter with an undiagnosed illness. In a thought-provoking display, she meticulously arranged over 85 humanoid sculptures, each one representing a unique facet of vulnerability. According to Buzzfeed News, this art display showed different human experiences related to being fragile.

A Secret Mummy Inside A Buddha Statue – Est. Value: $80,000

In 1990, researchers were working diligently to restore an ancient Buddha statue that had endured the passage of a thousand years. This culturally significant artifact held intrinsic value, but the true revelation lay hidden within its ancient form. The historians made a series of tests and examinations, which would tell them the most appropriate method for its restoration.

As part of their rigorous assessment, scientists conducted an X-ray examination to unravel the statue’s composition. To their astonishment, the X-ray revealed not the solid structure of a traditional sculpture, but instead the presence of a human skeleton. The Buddha statue was, in fact, a sarcophagus that had long concealed a mummy within its hallowed confines.

80s Burger King Hidden Behind A Wall – Est. Value: $50,000 (Franchise Fee)

The Concord Mall, Delaware’s oldest shopping center, boasts a rich history marked by the ebb and flow of restaurants, attractions, and shops over the years. In the late 1980s, a Burger King opened inside its walls, but it closed down in 2009. Surprisingly, the Burger King didn’t meet the typical fate of demolition; instead, it was discreetly concealed behind a wall.

Fast forward to the summer of 2022, a photo went viral, revealing the hidden BK in all its 1980s fast-food glory. People were captivated by its vintage aesthetic, which had been remarkably preserved, offering a glimpse into the mall’s nostalgic past.

Hidden Studio Suspended Under Bridge – Est. Value: $1,000-$5,000

During our childhoods, many of us indulged in the delightful pursuit of constructing secret forts and hideaways either in the confines of our homes or amidst the natural canvas of our backyards. These cherished memories of youthful creativity served as the driving force behind the creation of a self-taught Spanish designer, Fernando Abellanas.

In Valencia, Spain, Abellanas built a miniature studio apartment concealed beneath a bridge. The apartment was equipped with shelves, a chair, a desk, and a comfortable sleeping area. What sets this creation apart is its adaptability, allowing him to effortlessly manipulate the walls, whether to create an open, spacious ambiance or a cozy, enclosed haven.

Underground Pyramid In Bolivian Ruins – Est. Value: Unknown

Situated in Bolivia, Tiahuanaco has been a site of continuous archaeological exploration for both private companies and the government. In 2015, a discovery was made using ground-penetrating radar: an underground pyramid hidden beneath the ruins. Within this pyramid, archaeologists also uncovered ancient monoliths, and excavations into this mysterious structure are still in progress.

Tiahuanaco, once a thriving ancient city spanning 231,000 square miles, has yielded a trove of historical treasures, including stone monuments, palace remnants, sculptures, and more. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, Tiahuanaco continues to unveil its rich history through ongoing excavations and discoveries.

‘Witch Bottle’ Found In A Chimney – Est. Value: $40

In 2019, contractors working on the demolition of a former pub in Watford, England when they discovered something within the building’s chimney section. Hidden within was a witch bottle containing an unidentified liquid, teeth, and shards of glass, believed to date back to the 1800s.

It is speculated that this eerie find was originally placed in the pub to serve as protection against witches, which aligns with the historical context of the property being the birthplace of Angeline Tubbs, known as the Witch of Saratoga. In 1761, she relocated to Saratoga, New York, where she practiced fortune-telling and crafted witch bottles to ward off her rivals.

Giant Lego Men Washed Up On Yuigahama Beach – Est. Value: Unknown

As it can signal potential water quality issues, humans often worry about dead wildlife washing ashore. However, an even more enigmatic occurrence befell a Japanese surfer when he stumbled upon an enormous eight-foot Lego man on Yuigahama Beach, Japan in 2014. The Lego figure sported a t-shirt that read, “No Real Than You Are.”

The giant Lego sculpture was created by a Dutch artist named Ego Leonard, who claims to be from a “virtual world.”Remarkably, this isn’t the first time such giant Lego figures have appeared on beaches, as similar behemoths were also discovered on the shores of Siesta Key, Florida, and Topanga Beach, California.

World’s Largest Flower Found In Jungle – Est. Value: Unknown

In the remote jungles of West Sumatra, Indonesia, conservationists stumbled upon the world’s largest flower, identified as Rafflesia tuan-mudae, in 2020. This colossal flower, blooming for just one week at the end of the plant’s life span, boasted an impressive 3.6-foot diameter, setting a new record as the largest documented Rafflesia ever.

Despite its less-than-flattering description of flesh-colored petals adorned with white spots, this peculiar flower belongs to the “corpse flower” category, emitting a scent reminiscent of a decaying body.

Shark In The Middle Of A Golf Course – Est. Value: $850

In 2013, we collectively poked fun at Sharknado, dismissing its absurd premise. However, the reality seemed to echo fiction when, a year before the movie’s release, a shark actually fell from the sky, landing near the twelfth tee of a golf course in 2012.

The shocked workers at the San Juan Capistrano Golf Course discovered a two-pound leopard shark, miraculously alive. A bird carried the shark from the ocean and that’s how it ended up flying. Cart attendants quickly placed the bewildered shark in a bucket of saltwater and transported it to Baby Beach, where they reunited it with its natural habitat.

An Underwater River Beneath Ocean – Est. Value: Unknown

Discovering a river beneath the ocean may sound paradoxical, but divers made a startling find off the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico in 2016 when they stumbled upon an underwater river shrouded in toxic gas. The river originates from the colossal sinkhole known as Cenote Angelita, flowing 90 feet below the surface and eventually merging with the ocean.

Encircling this river is a perilous hydrogen sulfide cloud, lethal to anyone attempting to inhale it. Adding to the eerie atmosphere are petrified trees and a small skeleton within this noxious veil, which is probably what made ancient Mayans believe that Cenote Angelita was a potential gateway to Hell.

Mysterious Monoliths Appearing In Four Regions – Est. Value: Unknown

In 2020, amidst the chaos of the year, a peculiar news story ignited a flurry of alien conspiracy theories. Mysterious monoliths, identical in appearance, emerged unexpectedly in locations like Utah, California, Romania, and New Mexico – regions often associated with extraterrestrial mysteries.

These tall metal slabs, measuring between 10 to 12 feet in height, baffled observers, drawing eerie parallels to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Much like the totems in the movie, these monoliths remained shrouded in mystery. Theories included art, government experiments, pranks, aliens, or something else entirely.

Lavish Third-Century Home Under The Streets of Rome – Est. Value: Unknown

In 2017, while excavating beneath Rome for a new metro line, remarkable discoveries from the city’s ancient past surfaced. Among the finds was the remains of a luxurious third-century residence, tragically consumed by fire centuries ago.

Among the intriguing artifacts, the 1,800-year-old skeleton of a dog was discovered. It was in a crouched position, suggesting its tragic demise in the same conflagration. The well-preserved state of the charred home led experts to speculate that it may have once belonged to an aristocrat from Celian Hill.

60s Fallout Shelter In California Backyard – Est. Value: $5,400

With the intense Cold War tensions between America and Russia in the 1960s, the possibility of nuclear wr loomed large on people’s minds. Some people even took the precaution of constructing fallout shelters and bunkers in their own backyards. Fast forward to 2013, in Woodland Hills, California, a couple uncovered such a shelter on their property.

Although they were aware of the existence of the bunker when they purchased the home, they initially thought it was just a hole in the ground. When they inspected further, they found a subterranean time capsule stocked with impeccably preserved vintage supplies, including provisions, water, bedding, and more.

4,500-Year-Old Goddess Statue In Palestinian Land – Est. Value: Unknown

In 2022, while tending to his land in Gaza Strip, Palestine, a farmer named Nidal Abu Eid found a 4,500-year-old limestone sculpture of Anat, an ancient Canaanite goddess associated with beauty, love, and war.

The statue garnered attention due to its unique feature – an inscription of a snake on its head, symbolizing the goddess’s power and invisibility according to Canaanite mythology. Some scholars believe that Anat’s influence extended to Athena, the Greek goddess of war, who is often associated with snake imagery.

Ancient Coins In Japanese Castle – Est. Value: $10,000-$100,000

In Okinawa, Japan, a researcher named Toshio Tsukamoto from Ganoji discovered ancient Ottoman and Roman coins in 2016 during an ongoing excavation of Katsuren Castle, a project initiated in 2013.

Among the various artifacts recovered from the site, including Chinese ceramics and coins from trading with China, the presence of Roman and Ottoman coins remains a perplexing mystery for archaeologists. The question of how these coins ended up in a southern Japanese castle-like Katsuren continues to baffle experts.

$100,000 Floating Down River – Est. Value: $100,000

During a routine dog walk along the Spalding River in England in 2013, a dog owner found bundles of cash floating in the water. He called the authorities and approximately $100,000 were recovered from the river.

While some of the money showed signs of water damage, the majority remained in relatively good condition. The Lincolnshire Police subsequently launched a forensic examination in an attempt to trace the money’s origin and determine its rightful owner.

Underwater Skeleton Tea Party In Colorado River – Est. Value: $50

La Paz County Sheriff deputies collaborated with the Buckskin Fire Department in Arizona after receiving a report of potential human remains in the Colorado River. In 2015, a diver, equipped with a video camera, discovered two faux skeletons positioned as if having a tea party.

To everyone’s relief, the skeletons turned out to be fake, placed upright in lawn chairs. One of them sported aviator sunglasses and a bib, while the other held a sign with the message “Dream in the River” along with a date of August 16, 2014. The purpose of this unusual arrangement, whether it’s art, Halloween decorations, or something else, remains unknown.

New Mexico Landfill Filled With “E.T.” Video Games – Est. Value: $5-$10 million

In 1983, Atari faced the startling failure of its video game E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and decided to bury excess copies in an Alamogordo, New Mexico landfill. This move remained an urban legend as no one believed the game had been that much of a failure.

That is, until 2014 when an excavation confirmed the existence of the “Atari Dump,” revealing the extent of the game’s unpopularity, forcing Atari to resort to burying millions of copies as an unconventional solution.

New Dead Sea Scrolls Found In Israel – Est. Value: Priceless

Israel, known for its historical and religious significance, recently surprised many by uncovering new fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Israeli Antiquities Authority made this extraordinary find during a meticulous survey of the Judean Desert in 2021, marking the first such discovery in 60 years.

These scrolls were found in the 1950s and contain parts of books written by 12 minor prophets, such as Nahum and Zechariah. Scholars think these fragments are from a scroll called Minor Prophets that talks about prophecies related to the End of Days. The scrolls were kept in good condition for thousands of years because they were hidden in hot and dry desert conditions.

WWI Soldier’s Love Letters Hidden In Wall – Est. Value: Unknown

World War I had a profound global impact, characterized by devastating weaponry and a staggering death toll, leading many to fear the end of their world. Amid the bloodshed, soldiers clung to their comrades and cherished letters from loved ones.

In a heartwarming discovery in the US in 2014, Phil Mathies uncovered WWI love letters in his attic wall, penned by Clement to his beloved Mary in 1918. Phil successfully traced Clement’s family, who confirmed that he and Mary found happiness together after the war.

Secret Room Behind Bookcase – Est. Value: $3,000-$10,000 (Cost To Install)

Discovering a hidden room in your new home can be unsettling, as seen in a Logan, Utah couple’s experience in 2022. Behind a bookcase in their lounge, they stumbled upon a secret room that was part of the home’s original blueprints from the late 1970s.

The mysterious concrete chamber contained only a single folding chair, sparking speculation about its purpose, ranging from a dungeon to a panic room. However, the presence of the solitary chair remained unexplained.

World’s Largest Diamond From Arkansas – Est. Value: $1 million

In 1924, during an early mining operation in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, the largest-ever American diamond was unearthed. This remarkable gem, known as Uncle Sam, weighed an impressive 40.23 carats.

Although initially white with a pink hue, it gained recognition for its exceptional rarity. In 1971, it was sold to a private collector in Boston for $150,000, which today equates to a staggering $1 million. Arkansas State Parks aptly described Uncle Sam as a “one-in-a-billion gem.”

Sacks Stuffed with $1M Lying On Road – Est. Value: $1 million

In Carline County, Virginia, a family’s decision to pick up what they thought was roadside litter led to an unexpected windfall in 2020. They collected two white sacks they believed were garbage, only to discover they contained one million dollars when they opened them.

They promptly turned the money over to the sheriff’s office, although it turned out to be funds belonging to the post office that had accidentally fallen out of a truck on the way to the bank.

Sprawling Tunnel System In Southern Italy Home – Est. Value: Unknown

In his recently purchased two-bathroom, six-bedroom house, a homeowner’s Southern Italian property held an unexpected secret. Despite being listed as storage on the deed plan, the house concealed a vast three-level subterranean system covering thousands of square feet.

This astonishing discovery in 2020, however, came with a spooky twist – the underground tunnels were infested with bats, making exploration a cautious and eerie endeavor for the homeowner.

Hidden Attic Full Of Valuable Antiques – Est. Value: $5,000 (Susan B. Anthony Photograph Value)

In December 2020, David Whitcomb purchased a building in Geneva, New York, intending to use it as a law office. To his surprise, he later stumbled upon a hidden attic filled with valuable historical antiques.

The attic, which had not been documented in the home’s records due to decades of disuse, turned out to be the former workspace of renowned photographer James Hale. Among the treasures in this attic were original prints featuring notable figures such as Susan B. Anthony.

Mysterious Earthen Rings In the Amazon Rainforest – Est. Value: Unknown

The Amazon, the world’s largest jungle, holds over 4,700 animal species and mysterious secrets. Among these enigmas are the Amazon Rings, circular formations etched into the landscape, predating the rainforest itself. Their origin remains a baffling puzzle, as it’s improbable that ancient civilizations created them, considering their reverence for the jungle’s preservation.

These intriguing Amazon Rings, discovered from aerial views in 2014, defy scientific explanation. These formations appeared before the rainforest, ruling out the possibility of human construction. Thus, their origins remain shrouded in mystery.

Ancient “City Of Giants” In Ethiopia – Est. Value: Priceless

In Harlaa, Ethiopia, archaeologists uncovered in 2017 an ancient city tied to Asian-East African trade history, sparked by local tales of a “city of giants.” While there’s no substantiated giant civilization, the ancient city’s ruins were constructed from massive stones, fueling this myth.

Nonetheless, the site, built with colossal stones, has revealed a wealth of artifacts, including rock crystal, glass items, beads, cowry shells, carnelian, and pottery from China, India, and Egypt. This evidence indicates the city’s historical importance as a vibrant cosmopolitan center in East Africa.

Giant Reservoir of ‘Hidden Water’ On Mars – Est. Value: Unknown

In 2021, the Chinese space probe Zhurong arrived at Mars’ Utopia Planitia, where NASA’s Viking 2 had landed in 1976. Zhurong’s mission aimed to detect ancient life, and it currently orbits Mars.

Zhurong’s data stirred excitement among scientists and those intrigued by extraterrestrial life, as it indicated that the Utopia Planitia Basin had a history of water presence, challenging prior perceptions of Mars as cold and dry. The discovery of hydrated minerals suggests the potential for past or existing life on the planet.

American Declaration of Independence In Thrift Store – Est. Value: $2.18 million

In a Pennsylvania flea market in 1991, a collector stumbled upon an intriguing discovery. For just $4, he purchased a seemingly unremarkable painting due to its appealing frame. However, upon removing the artwork, he uncovered a first-printing copy of the Declaration of Independence.

When it was placed on auction in June 1991, its estimated value soared to $1 million, which equates to approximately $2.18 million in today’s currency.

Medieval Well Under Living Room Floor – Est. Value: Unknown

In 2015, a British couple investigating their uneven living room uncovered a surprising medieval treasure: a 33-foot-deep well beneath their foundation. Upon investigation, the well was discovered to be dating back to the 1500s.

It was originally constructed by Sir Francis Drake as part of an aqueduct system to transport water from Plymouth to Dartmouth. Today, the homeowners have concealed it with a trapdoor and added lighting to showcase this historical find.

Mysterious Safe In the Middle Of A Field – Est. Value: Unknown

In 2020, a peculiar incident unfolded in a New York agricultural field when a farmer named Kirk Mathes stumbled upon a massive 600-pound safe of unknown origin. The safe’s placement was a mystery, seemingly requiring heavy machinery for transport, yet nobody could identify the culprits or their motives.

A message on the safe said that whoever opened it could take whatever was inside, but Kirk decided to keep it locked. He thought that the mystery made life more exciting. He didn’t worry about who put the safe there. He guessed that someone was playing a trick or being mischievous. The mystery was not solved and no one could find answers by searching online.

$4 Million Chunk of Quartz From Arkansas Mine – Est. Value: $4 million

The Smithsonian Museum houses a unique eight-thousand-pound quartz stone known as the Berns Quartz, found in Coleman Mine, Arkansas in 2016. This exceptional specimen is now a prominent part of the National Gem and Minerals Collection, greeting visitors to the museum.

While an ordinary piece of clear quartz can be purchased for as little as $14 on Amazon, the immense clear quartz cluster like the Berns Quartz is exceptionally rare and holds a value in the millions. This colossal cluster is believed to have formed over millions of years as the Ouachita Mountains eroded, revealing previously buried crystal veins within the Arkansas mountain range.

Stonehenge-Like Structure Under Lake Michigan – Est. Value: Unknown

In 2017, archaeologists made a striking discovery beneath Lake Michigan’s waters: a Stonehenge-like structure submerged 40 feet deep in Grand Traverse Bay. Using remote sensors, they stumbled upon this eerie and fascinating find, raising questions reminiscent of the mysteries surrounding the original Stonehenge.

In addition to the underwater Stonehenge, researchers uncovered more submerged historical relics, including a Civil War-era pier, as well as numerous sunken cars and boats. These discoveries add depth to the enigmatic allure of the underwater world of Lake Michigan.

Nanotechnology In An Ancient Roman Chalice – Est. Value: Priceless

The Lycurgus Cup, initially discovered in England in the 1950s, is not just an exquisite relic but a testament to the advanced nanotechnology of its time. Its ability to change colors when illuminated from different angles, a discovery made in 1990, is attributed to the Romans’ ingenious use of precious metals to manipulate electron behavior.

Beyond its historical significance, this technological marvel opens doors to modern applications, including the potential for disease diagnosis and biohazard detection in airport security, highlighting the enduring relevance of ancient innovations.

Giant Stone Sphere In Bosnian Forest – Est. Value: $3,200 (Iron Content Value)

A 10-foot wide, 35-ton stone ball, discovered in 2016 near Zavidovici, Bosnia, has academics debating its origin. Some believe it’s a creation of a lost civilization, while others think it’s a natural formation. If it’s man-made, it could be valuable due to its high iron content and would be the largest structure of its kind in Europe, providing insight into unknown advanced civilizations.

The massive sphere’s discovery earned Semir Osmanagich, its finder, the nickname “Bosnian Indiana Jones.” The questions surrounding its formation raise curiosity about the possible uses of such a monumental artifact if it indeed was crafted by ancient people or even extraterrestrial beings.

Action Comics #1 Hidden In Wall – Est. Value: $176,000

While renovating his Minnesota home, David Gonzales made an incredible discovery: a pristine copy of Action Comics #1, marking Superman’s debut in DC comics. This issue is highly coveted among comic book collectors, and Gonzales managed to sell it for nearly $200,000.

Astonishingly, the previous homeowners, who built the property in 1938, had used the comic book, along with various papers, as insulation in their walls.

Gold Sovereign Coins Inside Piano – Est. Value: $400,000-$600,000

In a surprising turn of events in 2017, an old piano sent for repairs by Bishops Castle Community College turned out to contain Britain’s largest-ever hoard of gold coins. These 913 gold sovereigns, spanning from 1847 to 1915, were valued at $400,000 to $600,000.

After the Coroner’s Court of Shrewsbury officially labeled it “treasure,” the college and tuner shared the proceeds, while none of the fifty individuals who came forward to claim ownership were deemed the true owner by the county coroner, John Ellery.