Top 20 Scariest Unexplained Discoveries Ever Made

Top-20-Scariest-Unexplained-Discoveries-Ever-Made

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the creepiest archaeological finds that are still unexplained decades – or even centuries – later.

#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. There’s 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 doesn’t 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. It’s 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 couldn’t 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 who’d disappeared months beforehand. While that was solved, there’s no logical explanation for the non-existent crash that’d 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, it’s hard to discern much about the structure’s use, making it a potentially permanent mystery.

#16: Tiny Coffins
Arthur’s 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 aren’t quite as lucky. In 1836, a group of boys entered a cave, where they found tiny coffins with odd figurines inside. It was clear they’d been there for some time already. At the time, people were baffled, and that hasn’t changed. The best estimate is that they’re 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, we’re still just as lost as those who originally found them.

#15: Xin Zhui’s 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. You’d 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 manuscript’s 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 author’s true identity one of history’s best kept secrets.

#13: Pit of Arms
Bergheim, France

Finding any body parts is already stomach-turning. Realizing there’s 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. It’s 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 weren’t 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 weren’t 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 Porpoise’s 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 would’ve 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 wasn’t allowed to indulge in the meal, the truth behind the creature’s 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 doesn’t make it any less creepy to come across a mummified form, especially one as preserved as Ötzi. He’s 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 Europe’s 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 don’t just begin and end with his expiration. The detection of other people’s 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. It’s 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 history’s oldest mysteries.

#4: Neanderthal Cannibalism
Goyet Caves, Belgium

We’re still learning more about some of our earliest known ancestors, making every new bit of information vital — even if it’s 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 doesn’t 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, it’s 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. What’s 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 they’re right, because any alternative would be even more horrifying.

#1: Wearing Skulls
Salango, Ecuador

It doesn’t get more chilling than this. In times of war, everyone is affected, even those too young to understand what’s 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 could’ve been an attempt at protecting their souls post-mortem. However, that still doesn’t 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 unexplained discovery do you find the most haunting? Let us know in the comments below.