35 Instances Where People Found Something Old And Mysterious, And Turned To The Internet For Answers

Ancient secrets revealed

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• August 21, 2023

The allure of antiques captivates many people, drawing them into a world filled with history, craftsmanship, and elegance. There's something spellbinding about an item that has endured through the ages, standing as a testament to the past.

It's more than just a material possession; each antique carries with it a unique narrative and character. The shapes, materials, and even the subtle imperfections tell a story of a time long gone.

If this fascination with historical treasures resonates with you, then prepare to be introduced to a community that shares your passion. Say hello to r/WhatIsThisThing, a vibrant online community of over 2.3 million explorers, enthusiasts, and history buffs.

They unite to identify mysterious objects, unraveling the secrets of items that users from all over the world find and submit. Since its inception in 2010, r/WhatIsThisThing has grown into something truly special.

It's not just a place to ask questions; it's a forum where curiosity thrives, and knowledge is shared. Placing itself among the top 1% of communities on the platform, it stands as a celebration of history, art, and discovery.

From finely detailed treasures of the Victorian era, echoing the grandiosity and romanticism of the time, to masterfully designed artifacts from the Art Nouveau period, reflecting the innovation and artistic freedom of that age, this community has been a witness to an incredible array of beautiful discoveries.

Members share their finds, discuss their theories, and often unravel mysteries that might have remained locked away in the past. But r/WhatIsThisThing is more than just a showcase of objects; it's a place where connections are made.

Experts, amateurs, and those simply curious come together in their shared appreciation for the beauty and intrigue of bygone eras. They learn from one another, and often, lifelong friendships are forged over shared curiosity.

The subreddit also serves as an educational platform, providing insights into various historical periods, cultures, and art movements. It's a place where you can not only admire the beauty of an antique but understand its place in history, its function, and the craftsmanship that went into its creation.

1. Friend Received This Passed Down From His Great Great Grandfather. It’s Believed To Be From Persia & About 2,000 Years Old

2. This Thing That My Friend Found In The Water

3. Found In My Backyard In East Nashville, Tn

4. What Is This Thing? Hanging Over Sink In A House Built In The Late 1800s

5. Witt: Silver-Handled Vintage/Antique Clamp Of Some Kind. "Beak" Of Clamp Is Hollow - So Not Umbilical. Clamp Does Not Open Wide Because. US Quarter For Scale

6. I Think Brass Man, Head Comes Off And Backpack Opens

7. A Scissors Like Device I Bought Years Ago On Flee Market

8. My Grandfather Told Us To Not Remove This When Renovating

9. Strange Object From Tiffany's Mysteriously Given To My Wife By Her Grandmother While Refusing To Say What It Was. Probably Bought In The 1930s Or 1940s. About 10cm/4" Long. All She'd Say Was "She Used It As A Young Woman But Didn't Have Much Use For It Nowadays". Any Ideas?

10. Help Identify What These Are And What They Were Used For? Passed Down By Family - UK

11. Found At A Used Book Store. All Parts Rotate And The Markings/Months Makes Me Think It Could Be For Mapping?

12. Found In A Garden Back In 1959, Still Haven't Been Able To Identify What It Is

13. Found Metal Detecting Outside Of An Old Church

14. Driftwood With Metal Plaque Found On The Mississippi River Bank

15. Landlord Found It In The Basement. Heavy Metal. Google Isn't Responding Well To "Scary Wand" Or "Aggressive Pleasure Instrument"

16. Found In The Woods Near The Water’s Edge At My Home In Maryland On The Chesapeake Bay, The Site Of A Shipyard From 1750-1800. The Property Has Documented History Back To 1650’s. It Has Raised Decorative Images On Both Sides And Is Made Of Metal. 1 Image Also Shows A 1906 Indian Head Penny For Scale

17. What Is This Red Leather Devil Figure, Found In A Wooden Box In An Attic?

18. Carved Piece Purchased From An Antique Shop In Poland. What Is It And What Could It Be Carved Out Of?

19. Metal And Glass Locket With Writing

20. Found At An Antique Market In Wisconsin USA. About 6" Across The Top, The Hole Is About 3.5". Tiny Spittoon?!

21. I Found This Under The Floor Boards In A 1800's Era House

22. I Was Given This. I Have No Idea What It Is. Metal Square Box

23. Found At Antique Festival Near Atlanta, Is 17" By 5.5"

24. It's Made Of Really Heavy Hardwood. Unsure Of The Age Unfortunately. Given By Family Friend. Thanks

25. Blue Glass Thing Found At Goodwill. About 5 Inches High With A Hole In Top

26. A Fish Like Object Found In A River

27. Ok, I Know It’s A Chair, But What’s With The Extended Arms?

28. Found This In An Old Crumbled House, But I Have No Clue As To What It May Be! It's From A Company Called « Rally »... Help Me On This Mission!!!

29. Found In A Garden. Metallic Object That Closes In On Itself

30. For Context: It's In A Dentists Office

31. Antique From The 1800’s, Have To Figure Out What It Is For A School Project

32. Glass Bulb, Filled With Liquid, Metal Disk Floating Inside

33. My Grandpa Dug Up This Roman Cameo Looking Thing In His Garden In Northern Italy 12 Or So Years Ago, Any Idea What It Could Be? More Info In Comments

34. Found These Glass Goggles In The Wall Of Our 100 Year Old Home

35. Found In A Creek Bed In Oak Hill, Texas. Has A Small Hole On Top Of The Head That Goes All The Way Through

The world of antiques isn't just about collecting old objects; it's a journey into the past, a celebration of craftsmanship, and an exploration of history. The community at r/WhatIsThisThing embodies this fascination, bringing together people from all walks of life to investigate, learn, and appreciate the treasures of bygone eras.

From the curious beginner to the seasoned expert, everyone can find a place in this thriving online hub. As a place where mysteries are unraveled, and friendships are forged, the subreddit stands as a testament to the human desire to connect with the past and with each other.

It reminds us that even in a digital age, the allure of physical objects, and the stories they hold, continue to captivate and inspire.

Damjan