15 Situations When People Stumbled Upon the Strangest Things (19 photos)

The world is full of strange and unknown things. Sometimes people find unusual things and can't figure out who created them or what they're for. But the internet exists for a reason, and there are always experts out there who can tackle even the most complex challenges and decipher the purpose of even the most unusual objects.





1. "Found this in the woods"



This is a steam boiler. Possibly from a train engine, or more likely from a building used for heating or power generation for mining operations.

"This one powered the sawmill."





2. "Found in shallow water in Guam."



The author notes that this strange object left him stunned. Commentators speculate that this is part of a missile, citing reports of a recent Chinese Long March 3B rocket launch failure, in which the missile and its payload were observed re-entering the atmosphere near Guam.

3. "My grandfather dug this up. Found in Liverpool, possibly from World War II, decorated. What is it?"



It's called "trench art." Google it, you'll find many beautiful engravings on artillery shells.

4. "Why is a billiard ball attached to a cue stick?"



This is so small children can play without damaging the table (like ripping the cloth with a cue).

5. "Found this in a kitchen drawer when I moved in. None of the neighbors have any ideas. The small part is heavy, made of rubber or silicone."



This is part of a tea strainer.

This is what it looks like



6. "Strange old concrete pillar with spikes, found in Split, Croatia. Looks like a memorial because of the wreath."



Hi! I'm from Split, and this is a sea urchin. The beach is famous for its sea urchins and, therefore, its clean sea, because they only live where the water is clean. There are fewer of them now, so you can swim. That's what the statue is about. As far as I know, there's no hidden meaning to this; it's an art installation. The wreath isn't always there, so I think it's for someone specific. I can't find the artist's name, but I'll let you know if I do.

7. "Found in the basement of a German house built shortly before World War II"



Pestle and mortar. Very old.

8. "Found in my grandfather's belongings (Czech Republic)"



This is the official letter of release of a Bohemian soldier named Johann Slavik from the army of the Austrian Empire after 11 years, 5 months, and 22 days of service in two different infantry regiments. It is dated December 15, 1826, and also serves as a letter of recommendation and a pass.

He was 33 years old, Catholic, unmarried, and his place of birth and profession are also listed.

He didn't receive a disability pension or other benefits, although it does mention something about his disability before his release. I think the most interesting information is in the handwritten portion of the line, which I, unfortunately, can't decipher. The writing deviates from the standard form.

9. "Found this among many, many other tools. Does anyone know what it is?"



This is a portable lock for hotel doors.

10. "I think it's made of iron." It says "child" on the front.



This is either a children's toy or a store-bought model. People disagree, but most agree it's a toy.

11. "A strange wooden structure in a field in Illinois. Reminds me of something from the movie 'The Wicker Man.' Any ideas?"



This is called an "alpine tower," and is mainly used in climbing and skill-building camps.

12. "The neighbors posted this on the wall opposite our garden. It looks like a cross between a camera and a speaker. Does anyone know what it is?"



This is a cat repellent.

13. "Found floating in the sea, tangled in seaweed."



This is Shri Harkrishan... I think the 8th Sikh Guru...

This is what she looks like.



14. "Why does this fake birdhouse have any technical items inside? (Forest by a lake near Berlin, Germany)



This is a geocache. The laminated map on the inside of the door is the geocaching logo.

Geocaching is a hiking game that uses satellite and navigation systems. The goal is to find caches hidden by other players.

15. "Found buried while landscaping the backyard."



This is Saint Joseph. It's recommended to bury it in the yard to help sell the house.