Top 30 Scariest Unexplained Discoveries Ever Made

Top 30 Scariest Unexplained Discoveries Ever Made

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the most unsettling and unexplainable historical findings.

#30: Book of the Dead

Egypt

Many cultures believe in an afterlife. Ancient Egypt was no exception. The Book of the Dead has mystified since the Middle Ages. It was initially believed that the Book was made up of all-encompassing religious texts but their purpose was much darker. They supposedly helped deceased souls on their journey to the afterlife, and were filled with spells that would help them take on horrific entities along the way. Nearly 200 incantations have been identified, but that only scratches the surface. The origins of this practice and why it was stopped are still a mystery. Many surviving texts are still being translated, meaning more secrets about this morbid preparatory practice could be revealed.

#29: Crystal Skulls

Mesoamerica or Europe

No, they arent just from Indiana Jones! If you walk into a noteworthy museum, theres a chance youll see a real, anatomically accurate human skull carved in clear quartz, also known as rock crystal. While researchers often attribute these artifacts to craftsmen in Europe during the 20th century, the strange handiwork has created an enduring mysticism around the skulls. Based on which legend you believe, they can be Aztec, Mayan, or even otherworldly. The fact the skulls have become staples in certain sci-fi media only further blurs their origins. Even if you dont buy that theyre from ancient civilizations, the murkiness around their creation still makes you wonder.

#28: 78,000-Year-Old Burial Site

Panga ya Saidi, Kenya

The Panga ya Saidi excavation site has been home to several archaeological discoveries. One of the most recent was the 2021 discovery of a 78,000-year-old grave containing the remains of a deceased toddler. Its unknown who the child was or why they were given an intentional burial, although it suggests to some that the death of a child held special meaning in the community. Whether the entire community participated in mourning or whether it was more limited is also unknown. It also raises questions about whether the funeral rites came as an instinct, or if they had been taught by an outside group. Regardless, its eerie proof that our ancestors were more similar to us than we thought.

#27: Headless Bodies in Mass Grave

Vráble, Slovakia

The causes of horrific acts that occurred centuries ago are left to speculation. This was the case with a gruesome 2022 discovery in Vráble, where a large pit filled with dozens of corpses was found. All but one had been decapitated and the skulls were nowhere to be found. The remains date back 7,000 years, but beyond that, no answers have been found. Some believe it was a sudden massacre, while others posit that it was a site where head-hunters disposed of bodies. One expert has even suggested it was done to help fortify the area. It also is possible that some died of natural causes before being beheaded. The truth may never be known.

#26: Skull-Shaped Death Whistles

Mexico City, Mexico

Imagine making your way through an unknown land, only to hear a symphony of inhuman noises. In some cases, it couldve been the last thing you ever heard. Those sounds were produced by skull-shaped instruments now known as death whistles. They were first found in the 1990s, when one was discovered being held by a victim of human sacrifice. This has led to speculation that they were used to prepare people for their brutal demise. Others have claimed they were used during warfare, likely as a way of disorienting their opponents. One study indicates that the sounds they emitted were designed to be as terrifying as possible. So while its unclear what they were used for, it seems doubtful it was for anything peaceful.

#25: Coffin Birth from Trepanated Woman

Imola, Italy

A 2010 discovery in Italy revealed multiple medical mysteries in one person. A corpse of a young woman from the Middle Ages appeared to have experienced coffin birth a phenomenon wherein a decomposing body expels a fetus. She also had a hole drilled into her skull. The practice, known as trepanation, still baffles scientists today. It was used to treat a variety of illnesses, with varying results. Why it was done to this particular woman is undetermined, along with whether or not it contributed to her death. It may have been done as a way of unsuccessfully treating eclampsia. However, studying other bodies from that period reveals that hardly anyone had the same surgery, which only adds to the enigma of why she got one.

#24: Destinies of the Soul

Paris, France

When Arsène Houssaye completed his novel in 1879, he couldve never predicted what would come of it. He gave Destinies of the Soul to Ludovic Bouland, who felt that a book about the soul deserved a matching exterior. He went to the psychiatric hospital where he was a student, selected a woman whod just passed, and used her flesh to bind it. It was officially acquired by Harvard in 1954, where it remained for decades before the skin was removed in 2024. Questions about the woman whose skin was used and how the skin was removed may never be answered. While we may never know her name, theres no question that she has a permanent and macabre legacy.

#23: Portal to the Underworld

Judean Hills, Israel

Proof of the afterlife is always being sought after. Since 2009, Teomim Cave has been excavated by a team of archaeologists. What they have found is chilling countless oil lamps, trinkets, a secret passage, and even ancient skulls, with some dating back millennia. The collection of items led some researchers to theorize that this cave was viewed as a portal to the underworld. They speculated that necromancers used the cave as a way of carrying out their dark rituals, including bringing people back from the beyond. Their claims havent been proven yet, but theres still plenty more to find - so perhaps we will have an answer someday.

#22: The Priest of Pacopampa

Pacopampa, Peru

This is another archaeological site thats been invaluable in teaching us about our past. Buried beneath six layers of Earth lay a body surrounded by offerings. It was clear he had influence, and he was dubbed the Priest of Pacopampa. His body which dates back to 1,000 BC was proof that the ancient Peruvian civilization had defined leaders. What wasnt understood was his positioning. Hed been laid face down and buried in a large, deep tomb, a position which had never been seen in Peru up until that point. It all leads to even more questions about the Priest and what he may have been like in life.

#21: Sandby Borg Massacre

Södra Sandby, Sweden

Even mass acts of violence can be shrouded in ambiguity. In 2010, excavation began on Sandby borg and excavators were soon met with the sight of just over a dozen bodies. They hadnt been buried, making it appear that theyd been slaughtered where they stood and then were left to rot. Who perpetrated the attack and why is a complete mystery. Some initially believed it couldve been a robbery; however, the discovery of ornate jewelry disproved that. Others theorized it was simply a random act of brutality or perhaps even a series of interpersonal murders, which is corroborated by the execution-style killings. DNA testing has begun to reveal more about the victims, which may someday give insight into their attackers as well.

#20: The Starving of Saqqara

Egypt

Ancient art has been discovered plenty of times, and many have been traced back to a specific time period or civilization. However, there are some pieces that still remain elusive and none are more unsettling than the Starving of Saqqara. Depicting two figures with enlarged heads and malnourished forms, the seemingly simple statue has yet to be understood. It hails from an indeterminable age and creator, and the inspiration behind it is equally obscure. Theres even an undeciphered inscription on the back, adding to the uncertainty. Some experts believe it could be a representation of two captives that had been conquered. No one has yet been able to understand the strange work, keeping this particular piece of history just outside our grasp.

#19: Headless Vikings

Dorset, England

Decapitation has been a standard execution practice throughout the past and in many cultures. That doesnt make finding those on the receiving end any less upsetting. In 2009, archaeologists came across the carcasses of dozens of vikings, who had all been messily beheaded. Its unknown why they met such violent fates, or even when the mass punishment took place. The leading theory is that they were attempted invaders who were made into the ultimate example. It was made even darker when they realized that there were 54 bodies, but only 51 heads at the scene, meaning the remaining three had been taken. The pit is a testament to the extreme methods of a bygone era.

#18: Surrey Ghost Car

Surrey, England

Not every unexplained find comes from a bygone nation. There are some from the 21st century that remain a mystery, and one may be proof of a real-life ghost story. In 2002, police in Surrey received reports of a crash on the A3. They went to investigate and were perplexed when they couldnt locate the supposed accident. After traveling down the road, they were met with a truly chilling sight: a vehicle with a deceased motorist inside. Further examinations revealed that the victim was a young man whod disappeared months beforehand. While that was solved, theres no logical explanation for the non-existent crash thatd initially been reported. While the authorities claim it was a coincidence, others are convinced it was paranormal activity.

#17: Rujm el-Hiri

Golan Heights, Syria

Despite their size, some megaliths remain a complete historical mystery. Hidden within Syria, the enormous Rujm el-Hiri has both amazed and unsettled those who observe it. It consists of several large stone circles with intricate patterns and a mound in the center. Although it was first surveyed in the 1960s, the purpose behind it is undetermined. Various hypotheses have been brought forward, ranging from a site for various religious purposes to a place where the dead were laid out to be picked clean by birds before being disposed of. The area has been looted, ridding it of all other physical evidence. Without that, its hard to discern much about the structures use, making it a potentially permanent mystery.

#16: Tiny Coffins

Arthurs Seat, Scotland

Modern tech and devoted archeological teams have led to better understanding of many discoveries made in the 20th and 21st centuries. Some items obtained before these advancements arent quite as lucky. In 1836, a group of boys entered a cave, where they found tiny coffins with odd figurines inside. It was clear theyd been there for some time already. At the time, people were baffled, and that hasnt changed. The best estimate is that theyre visual renditions of the infamous Burke and Hare murders, committed a decade prior. Even that is contested, as the killers primarily targeted women, whereas the figures in the coffins depict men. Regardless of our progress, were still just as lost as those who originally found them.

#15: Xin Zhuis Corpse

Hunan, China

The process of decay is constant, yet still unpredictable, even when it comes to people. The corpse of noblewoman Xin Zhui is one of the best examples. She died as far back as 168 BCE, and yet her body is remarkably well-preserved. When she was unearthed, she still had her flesh and organs, making it possible for an autopsy to be performed. Her body had been carefully prepared using different methods. Youd think that would be a perfect explanation for her condition. Yet other cadavers buried in similar fashion had still decayed, making her a true anomaly. Analysts are still doing all they can to study her and ensure her preservation, meaning she could be just as intact another millennia from now.

#14: Codex Gigas

Bohemia, Czech Republic

Upon first glance, this may not seem like anything other than a large book, but in reality, the massive three foot long behemoth holds much more significance. The Codex Gigas contains a translation of the Bible amongst other works and a now infamous visual depiction of Satan.The truth behind the manuscripts origins is murky at best. According to legend, it was written by a monk on death row, who vowed to record all of human knowledge in a single night in exchange for his life. The only issue? An attempted rewrite revealed that the text alone would take two decades of non-stop writing, disproving the original claims and leaving the authors true identity one of historys best kept secrets.

#13: Pit of Arms

Bergheim, France

Finding any body parts is already stomach-turning. Realizing theres an uneven amount only adds to the distress. In the 2010s, researchers in France came across a pit containing intact carcasses on top of a pile of severed arms. Its been deduced that the arms primarily belonged to adults, and that they were tossed in soon after removal. Exactly who the victims were is still unspecified, along with what happened to them following the sudden amputation. The bodies being dated back to the Late Neolithic period only adds to the confusion, as there are no other recorded cases of limb removal from that time. The only explanation offered up is that it was an act of ancient war, but even that is still questioned.

#12: Shackled Skeletons

Athens, Greece

The days of the past werent always easy to live in. Some findings make that all the more clear, such as the 2016 discovery of a mass grave in Athens. However, the skeletons werent just buried: all 80 were shackled in place and appeared to be screaming. In spite of their positioning, they had all been buried in a traditionally respectful way. While DNA testing could eventually reveal more, for now experts have put forth the idea that they had attempted a coup, and paid the price for their failure. They may not know for sure, but one thing is clear: the gruesome site is pure nightmare fuel for practically everyone that lays eyes on it.

#11: Cursed Stolen Amethyst

Kanpur, India

Rampant colonialism of the past has ensured that many artifacts have been removed from their countries of origin, sometimes permanently. There may be one case where a stolen item supposedly fought back. After an amethyst was taken from Kanpur, India, its new owner was met with his swift downfall. That was only the beginning. Each keeper was met with tragedy, from taking their own life to losing their voice. Its final keeper, Edward Heron-Allen, even tried throwing it away and it still somehow made its way back to him. Desperate for relief, he had it locked away until after his own passing. Now it sits safely within a museum but some still stay away, believing that the supposed curse is still in place.

#10: A Porpoises Grave

Chapelle Dom Hue, Guernsey

Unearthing a grave is unnerving enough, but seeing anything other than a person inside is even scarier. While studying the island Chapelle Dom Hue, one archaeologist came across one of the strangest finds in recent times a grave containing the shriveled remnants of a porpoise. The animal was consumed during medieval times, but given the close proximity to the sea, it wouldve been much easier for the remains to be disposed of there. For one to not only be buried, but given a proper grave, is unheard of and unsettling. Whether it was simply forgotten or stashed there by a monk who wasnt allowed to indulge in the meal, the truth behind the creatures odd final resting place may never be revealed.

#9: The Unidentified Man of Sligo

Sligo, Ireland

It may seem impossible to disappear in this day and age, but some still manage to slip through the cracks. In 2009, an unidentified man was found in Sligo, Ireland and thanks to his efforts to disguise his name and hometown, he may remain that way. Posing under the name Peter Bergmann, he traveled to the town, where he was seen in-person and captured on CCTV. Even with the extensive footage, who he is and how he passed remain an enigma. Though he washed up on shore, there were no signs of drowning. Foul play was also ruled out. In the years since, no family or friends have come forward, and the case was never extended beyond Ireland, meaning he may remain anonymous forever.

#8: Mass Grave

Ashkelon, Israel

Some discoveries lead to excitement, but others are simply harrowing. While exploring the sewers beneath a Roman bath house in Ashkelon, one man found what he initially believed were chicken bones. As he found more, he came to the horrific realization that instead of birds, they actually belonged to multiple babies. When he took them to an anthropologist, it was found that they had all been healthy, and less than a week old before dying. While infanticide was common in that period, most were carried out via exposure, rather than being intentionally harmed. The gut wrenching area serves as an unfortunate reminder that even the most vulnerable members of society could still be treated with abject cruelty.

#7: Ötzi the Iceman

Ötztal Alps, Austria

There are some missing links within our evolution, but each find makes it easier to fill them in. That still doesnt make it any less creepy to come across a mummified form, especially one as preserved as Ötzi. Hes in such good shape that when he was first spotted, it was assumed that he had recently died. In reality, he lived thousands of years ago, making him Europes oldest known natural human mummy. His cause of death is widely contested. Some argue that he succumbed to the elements, while others have insisted he bled out. The theories dont just begin and end with his expiration. The detection of other peoples blood on his garments has revealed he resorted to violence in an effort to survive.

#6: Lake of Skeletons

Roopkund, India

When you think about the contents of a lake, you picture fish, seaweed, and maybe garbage not a large cluster of bones. Yet over 300 deceased people have been found inside the lake Roopkund since 1942. It was first assumed that Japanese forces were the culprit, until an investigation uncovered that they were much older than originally believed. More questions were unearthed as more remains were pulled from the body of water. Some were dated as far back as 800 CE, and many were from different locations. The scariest part? Plenty of skeletons still remain in the lake, and can be seen when the ice melts reminding people of their mysterious demise and terrifying tourists at the same time.

#5: Screaming Mummy

Theban Necropolis, Egypt

Several mummies have been recovered in Egypt, but not all have been identified. If the theory surrounding one ends up being true, then it will be physical proof of a supposed coup. Referred to as Unknown Man E, this mummy has become known for one defining feature a permanent scream. It can be assumed that whoever died did so in anguish. Its suggested that it could be the body of Pentawer, a prince who plotted to assassinate his own father, and was forced to take his own life after his trial. With more DNA testing, the answer should soon be clear, potentially solving one of historys oldest mysteries.

#4: Neanderthal Cannibalism

Goyet Caves, Belgium

Were still learning more about some of our earliest known ancestors, making every new bit of information vital even if its unsavory. In the Goyet Caves of Belgium, researchers stumbled upon stomach-turning evidence of early life there. They came across assorted parts belonging to at least five different people but in unusual condition. They had been skinned and fileted, revealing clear signs of cannibalistic activity. While the verdict is still up for debate, reindeer scraps were located under the same condition. If they were cannibalized, then it would be one of the earliest confirmed cases of the practice. Nevertheless, even if it is confirmed, that would still leave the question of whether it was done out of desperation or plain desire for human flesh.

#3: Severed Human Feet

British Columbia, Canada

This has become one of the most puzzling, grotesque mysteries of recent times. Since 2007, over a dozen severed feet have washed up on the shores of North America. Each one is still wearing a shoe, adding to the suspicious appearance. Some have been identified, but others still remain elusive to this day. The one silver lining is that authorities have ruled out foul play but that still doesnt explain how they were removed so easily while undecomposed. The bizarre phenomena has even led to people leaving decoy feet on the beach, bringing about even more questions. With a foot showing up as recently as 2023, its clear this modern-day conundrum is far from over.

#2: Jigsaw Skeleton

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Most cadavers can enter the identification process shortly after being found. In this case, that may be impossible. It all started when a mummy in the fetal position was discovered in 2001. As it continued to be worked on, scientists began to notice odd discrepancies. They were soon met with a shocking realization: what they thought had been a single woman was actually three separate people combined together. Whats even more upsetting is that the bodies had been dead for some time before being sewn together. Historians believe this could be a sign of a lesser known mummification ritual and we hope theyre right, because any alternative would be even more horrifying.

#1: Wearing Skulls

Salango, Ecuador

It doesnt get more chilling than this. In times of war, everyone is affected, even those too young to understand whats happening. In the 2010s, an ancient site in Ecuador was being excavated, leading to a truly grotesque find. They had found the corpses of two infants, wearing the skulls of older children as helmets. The reasons behind the bizarre practice are still up in the air, but some believe it couldve been an attempt at protecting their souls post-mortem. However, that still doesnt explain where or how they got the skulls and if they had to harm anyone in the process. The macabre discovery is sickening and fascinating all at once, proving how little we truly know about life back then.

Which of these discoveries unsettled you the most? Let us know in the comments below!