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We’ve all dreamed of finding a lost treasure box when we were kids. As adults, finding a lost note is both a blessing and a curse, ‘cause you probably will have to lose something sometime soon to even out the karma, they say.

But this time we’re talking lost and found stuff, objects, and places with a much bigger “wowzer” factor. Imagine yourself coming across an alligator skull while hiking, or spotting a tiny perfect seashell in your salt. Some discoveries are cute and fun, while others are plain scary and mind-bending.

So fasten your seatbelts since we're off to a lost and found compilation from Bored Panda that will surely ignite your inner detective. More bizarre objects that have been lost, thrown away, washed ashore, or long forgotten in the woods can be found in our previous posts here, here, and here.

#1

Found Photos Of My Grandmother's Cousin Hanging With His Buddy While Cleaning Out A Storage Locker

Found Photos Of My Grandmother's Cousin Hanging With His Buddy While Cleaning Out A Storage Locker

SupermAndrew1 Report

#2

Hummingbird Feather. I Had Never Found One Before, Thought It Was Neat

Hummingbird Feather. I Had Never Found One Before, Thought It Was Neat

isaytyler Report

#3

My Mom Found A Baby Owl On The Porch Behind The Firewood

My Mom Found A Baby Owl On The Porch Behind The Firewood

stizzywiggy Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a Northern Saw-whet owl. It's one of the smallest owl species. Cute little fellow.

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#4

Wife Found This At A Local Estate Sale; Suspect Emma Wasn't Happy

Wife Found This At A Local Estate Sale; Suspect Emma Wasn't Happy

davidmcw Report

#5

This Rock I Found At The Beach When I Was Seven Is Full Of Fossilized Shells

This Rock I Found At The Beach When I Was Seven Is Full Of Fossilized Shells

beansareameat Report

#6

I Run Down An Old Dirt Road. Trash Is Dumped There. One Day I Stopped And Found A Box Of Money. All The Envelopes Are From Different Countries All Over The World

I Run Down An Old Dirt Road. Trash Is Dumped There. One Day I Stopped And Found A Box Of Money. All The Envelopes Are From Different Countries All Over The World

Mostly date from the 1700s-1900s. The oldest is a coin from 1621. I’ve got some from countries that no longer exist. I’m still researching.

follysurfer Report

According to Tate, Picasso was the originator of the found art movement. “From 1912, he began to incorporate newspapers and such things as matchboxes into his cubist collages, and to make his cubist constructions from various scavenged materials.”

Essentially, artists would modify the found objects as minimally as they could, or sometimes leave them as they were. The idea is based on repurposing an object which has not been designed for artistic purposes into a piece that’s deliberately placed in an artistic context.

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#7

Remember To Sign Your Work. I Used To Really Like This Table I Rescued From A Dump Pile Two Years Ago. Just Found The Inscription. Now I Love This Table

Remember To Sign Your Work. I Used To Really Like This Table I Rescued From A Dump Pile Two Years Ago. Just Found The Inscription. Now I Love This Table

It’s maker, T. R. Boone, was a janitor at the University of Nebraska in 1914. Thanks for the good work, Mr. Boone. You were an artist.

SarahLiora , SarahLior Report

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David K
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great European War - yes, that is how our ancestors used to call WWI before WWII.

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Thomas brennan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting fact, some people at the time referred to it as the First World War on the assumption many more would follow...guess they were more pessimistic than the War to End All Wars crowd...

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François Carré
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a famous case like this in France, a few years ago. The parquet of an old mansion had to be removed ; beneath the floor boards, the guy who had mounted them some 150 years ago had written hundreds of messages about his life, his thoughts and all kind of gossip about the village around. A very precious historical document he purposely hid there for future generations to find, knowing that it should remained untouched for decades since it was actually a good job.

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Alex Hamilton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please remember to do this sort of thing for others to find, many years into the future.

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Judith Wilson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is amazing. I attended that University - which was much smaller then - now it is enormous. The lack of respect for usable items - many with a fascinating history - are simply taken to the "dump". It is bad business for our environment and for the history of marvelous things that are simply destroyed - I guess because it is easier for lazy people. It makes me very sad.

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Luisa Vasconcelos
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It seems to me that the inscription was under the table, discreetly and not easy spotted if you don't go under the table to look

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Alex Hamilton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It has survived thus far, and may its journey continue for many many more years to come. Thank goodness TR Boone had the sense to record it history for posterity.

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Claire Armstrong
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've never heard it called the "Great European War" before, only the Great War! But maybe the table and inscription were done before the Americans were involved in the war, can't remember off the top of my head when America joined the war, was it 1917?

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A Cat Named Dragon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hi Claire, that was my thought too, the US didn’t join until 1917, so this table was made when it was still a European war.

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#8

Heart-Shaped Amethyst Geodes. Discovered Yesterday In Artigas, By The Mining Company Uruguay Minerals

Heart-Shaped Amethyst Geodes. Discovered Yesterday In Artigas, By The Mining Company Uruguay Minerals

UruguayMinerals Report

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#9

Mosaics Of A Roman Villa Were Found Under A Vineyard In Negrar, Italy

Mosaics Of A Roman Villa Were Found Under A Vineyard In Negrar, Italy

veronanetwork.it Report

#10

I Found This Carved Fox Inside A Tree Stump, In A Forest Close To My Home

I Found This Carved Fox Inside A Tree Stump, In A Forest Close To My Home

DiceELITE Report

#11

Friend Of Mine Just Moved Into A New House. Took Off All The Heating Vents To Paint Them, And This Was Behind One Of Them

Friend Of Mine Just Moved Into A New House. Took Off All The Heating Vents To Paint Them, And This Was Behind One Of Them

perfect_square Report

#12

So I Found A Loop Of Paper Attached To My Cat's Collar This Morning. I'll Be Sure To Send Another Note Back

So I Found A Loop Of Paper Attached To My Cat's Collar This Morning. I'll Be Sure To Send Another Note Back

SliceofToast Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My neighbour's cat used to visit us a few times a day as well. Maxy passed away 8 years ago. I miss him lots. On a brighter note, I came home one summer day, and found four neighbourhood cats lounging on my lawn. They all had homes, but they just congregated here. A man passed by, looked at the cats, and then, looked at me. "They're not mine," I said. His reaction was "Sure, lady."

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#13

My Friend Just Found This Little Statue While Digging In His Own Garden

My Friend Just Found This Little Statue While Digging In His Own Garden

The archeologists from the museum told him that it is probably from a grave dating back to 3-4000 years ago.

lodeluxMeaLux Report

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Jennifer Harris
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any chance this was oh I don't know January/February 2020, asking for a friend.

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#14

An Old Jacket Hanging In The Woods With A Bird's Nest Built In The Pocket

An Old Jacket Hanging In The Woods With A Bird's Nest Built In The Pocket

golden_blaze Report

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#15

I Found A Tiny House Inside Of A Tree Stump

I Found A Tiny House Inside Of A Tree Stump

euphoric_barley Report

#16

We Went To The Beach To Find Shark Teeth, So When My Daughter Yelled "I Found Teeth!" This Was The Last Thing I Was Expecting

We Went To The Beach To Find Shark Teeth, So When My Daughter Yelled "I Found Teeth!" This Was The Last Thing I Was Expecting

ProbablyNotDrew Report

#17

I'm A Woodturner & Found A Lovely Bowl In A Vintage Store, Made By The Guy Who Inspired Me As A Kid

I'm A Woodturner & Found A Lovely Bowl In A Vintage Store, Made By The Guy Who Inspired Me As A Kid

On closer inspection I felt the bowl was very familiar, so I flipped through the very book that inspired me, 31 years ago, & there it was!

DalbergTheKing Report

#18

My Wife Found This Tiny Skink In Our Garden, Some Much-Needed Brightness On A Grey, Smoky Day

My Wife Found This Tiny Skink In Our Garden, Some Much-Needed Brightness On A Grey, Smoky Day

icantspeakesperanto Report

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Tisha Breaux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in south USA and we have tons of those here. I love when them and the green anoles are hatchlings

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#19

Group Of Baby Easter Bunnies I Found While Walking My Dog On Easter Sunday (Can For Reference)

Group Of Baby Easter Bunnies I Found While Walking My Dog On Easter Sunday (Can For Reference)

Quest_4_Truth Report

#20

While Showing My 3-Year-Old My Game Boy, I Discovered A Picture Of My Best Friend From 1999

While Showing My 3-Year-Old My Game Boy, I Discovered A Picture Of My Best Friend From 1999

newsilverdad Report

#21

I Found A Book Called "The Ancient Thirst To Read". It's Actually A Flask

I Found A Book Called "The Ancient Thirst To Read". It's Actually A Flask

ektylu Report

#22

This Morning I Found By Far The Smallest Frog I Have Ever Seen In My Entire Life

This Morning I Found By Far The Smallest Frog I Have Ever Seen In My Entire Life

okgodlemmehaveit Report

#23

This Incredible Carrot Hand Was Found While Digging Juice Carrots At Our Farm Today

This Incredible Carrot Hand Was Found While Digging Juice Carrots At Our Farm Today

Moby-Dickens Report

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#24

Found 83 Gold Coins At The Bottom Of A Coal Container After Renovating The House

Found 83 Gold Coins At The Bottom Of A Coal Container After Renovating The House

DiaBoLo73 Report

#25

Found These Green Army Men Doing Yoga At A Place We're Renting

Found These Green Army Men Doing Yoga At A Place We're Renting

CryptoAlca Report

#26

Real Talk I Think I Just Found A Shell With An Ancient Language On It

Real Talk I Think I Just Found A Shell With An Ancient Language On It

DaaaBears Report

#27

Found In The Pocket Of My Grandpa’s WW2 Bomber Jacket

Found In The Pocket Of My Grandpa’s WW2 Bomber Jacket

itskateinabox , itskateinabox Report

#28

I Went Diving With My Metal Detector In A Private Lake And Was Able To Return Multiple Valuables To Their Owners, Including A $5000 Wedding Ring That Was Lost For Almost 5 Years

I Went Diving With My Metal Detector In A Private Lake And Was Able To Return Multiple Valuables To Their Owners, Including A $5000 Wedding Ring That Was Lost For Almost 5 Years

Merman_Mike Report

#29

Today While Sorting Through My Grandma’s Attic, I Happened To Discover My Great-Great-Grandfather’s Italian Passport And A Ticket To America Exactly 100 Years Later

Today While Sorting Through My Grandma’s Attic, I Happened To Discover My Great-Great-Grandfather’s Italian Passport And A Ticket To America Exactly 100 Years Later

dmikuska12 Report

#30

This Origami Grasshopper My Friend Found On A Tram In Japan

This Origami Grasshopper My Friend Found On A Tram In Japan

rolandroflz Report

#31

Found A 100-Year-Old Time Capsule In My Backyard

Found A 100-Year-Old Time Capsule In My Backyard

Gtclem0 Report

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Rattle Battlesnake
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the small coin looks a lot like the Swiss Franc 50cts coin... but it's probably not, given the rest of the items.

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#32

This Pink Grasshopper Found On Kelleys Island, Ohio

This Pink Grasshopper Found On Kelleys Island, Ohio

BreakfastBeerz Report

#33

A Rock I Found On The Beach Has A Tiny Starfish Fossil In It

A Rock I Found On The Beach Has A Tiny Starfish Fossil In It

plwplw Report

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#34

Found These Beautiful Colors Hiding Inside A Piece Of Wood

Found These Beautiful Colors Hiding Inside A Piece Of Wood

kankelberri Report

#36

Elmo Toy That I Found While Hiking In Georgia

Elmo Toy That I Found While Hiking In Georgia

psithurism_daze Report

#37

Found This In My Backyard In Ankara/Turkey. It's Red Fox Agate

Found This In My Backyard In Ankara/Turkey. It's Red Fox Agate

Nashquil Report

#39

This "Bookmark" I Found In An Old Shakespeare Book Is A Voting Ticket From The Civil War

This "Bookmark" I Found In An Old Shakespeare Book Is A Voting Ticket From The Civil War

_AEthelwulf_ Report

#40

I Opened A Ventilation Cavity In A Wall And Found Old Love Letters Bound In String

I Opened A Ventilation Cavity In A Wall And Found Old Love Letters Bound In String

rex2525 Report

#41

Found This In The Crawl Space Above My Bedroom

Found This In The Crawl Space Above My Bedroom

Whiskey___Neat Report

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Stephanie Did It
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those are Eisenhower silver dollars, not quarters! Quarters have Washington on them.

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#42

This Guy Found 73 Frisbees In A Pond While He Was Looking For His Own

This Guy Found 73 Frisbees In A Pond While He Was Looking For His Own

imgur.com Report

#43

I Found A Door, And Nothing Else, On An Abandoned Beach

I Found A Door, And Nothing Else, On An Abandoned Beach

elastizitat Report

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#44

This Pearl I Found In An Oyster I Was Eating

This Pearl I Found In An Oyster I Was Eating

aegri_mentis Report

#45

Found This Note In My Hotel Bed Last Night... Ugh

Found This Note In My Hotel Bed Last Night... Ugh

time2fly80 Report

#46

This Shell I Found In My Sea Salt

This Shell I Found In My Sea Salt

codmac Report

#47

Alligator Gar Skull I Found While Hiking Today

Alligator Gar Skull I Found While Hiking Today

Scarfan9 Report

#48

Found An Old Beer Bottle In The Mountains With A Mini Eco System Inside

Found An Old Beer Bottle In The Mountains With A Mini Eco System Inside

shiftshayper Report

#49

I Found A Old Journal In The Woods Wrapped In Yarn With 3 Vials Of Blood In The Knot

I Found A Old Journal In The Woods Wrapped In Yarn With 3 Vials Of Blood In The Knot

silletrey Report

#50

This Very Old Bottle Of Cocaine We Found In My Pharmacy

This Very Old Bottle Of Cocaine We Found In My Pharmacy

vomitonmeplease Report

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Botox
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Small fluffy crystals may be habit forming! Goes for all small and fluffy things though

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Note: this post originally had 168 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.