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Every old house has its secrets - from hidden treasures in the crawl space and secret doors to creepy basement passages and dark attics filled with ancient valuables. The history is all around us, and if you look hard enough, you can find a treasure trove inside your home. Below you'll see a list of people who made unintentional 'archeological' discoveries when on the task of home renovation and then found a way to put them to good use.

Some of the artifacts are small, like coins hidden in the wall, while others are more permanent features to the structure of the building, such as an old well in the floor and secret rooms. No matter the size we can all agree it's pretty cool to come across clues that tell us about times past, so scroll down below and enjoy these 'rare antiquities.' Don't forget to upvote your favs and may your treasure hunt be lucky!

P.S.: The story behind the razor blade slot that quite a few people find when home remodeling has a simple explanation - some houses built before the 1970s had these slits for razor disposal for two reasons. One was that the razors were dangerous to put in general trash, and the second was that people didn't think about littering and trash the way we do now. For them, waste used to 'magically' disappear, so dropping them into a secret place between your bathroom walls seemed like a great idea.

#1

They Found The Old Bath Under Their Living Room

They Found The Old Bath Under Their Living Room

markronz Report

#2

Pulled Up The Carpet At The House, And Guess What I Found!

Pulled Up The Carpet At The House, And Guess What I Found!

Nnewel Report

#3

Treasure In My Bathroom

Treasure In My Bathroom

Oldred92 Report

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sanchit-mit2006 avatar
Ladies and Gentlemen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, wow wow. I wonder the story behind, how can one leave that ring? What happened to original owners!

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#4

I Was Helping My Dad Move Into His New Office, When We Found A Trapdoor

I Was Helping My Dad Move Into His New Office, When We Found A Trapdoor

Lumarous Report

#5

This Vintage Space Themed Wallpaper Found Under 3 Layers Of Other Wallpaper In An Old Farm House

This Vintage Space Themed Wallpaper Found Under 3 Layers Of Other Wallpaper In An Old Farm House

bubbaloon Report

#6

The Walgreens In My Neighborhood Used To Be A Bank And They Used Its Vault As Their Vitamin Section

The Walgreens In My Neighborhood Used To Be A Bank And They Used Its Vault As Their Vitamin Section

jhal2 Report

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Ben Smith
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen restaurants built in old banks where you can eat in the vault... Very cool

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#7

Friend Was Redecorating His New House And Found This Under A Layer Of Wallpaper

Friend Was Redecorating His New House And Found This Under A Layer Of Wallpaper

thatjasonguy_ Report

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Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should definitely find a way to restore it and not cower it again

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#8

Found A Paw Print On A Brick Wall

Found A Paw Print On A Brick Wall

PoisoNinja Report

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#9

The Table At This Pub Has A Well In The Middle Of It (England)

The Table At This Pub Has A Well In The Middle Of It (England)

TeddyTeey Report

#10

Untouched 1800's Cemetery Preserved In The Basement Of A Tall Building Built Over It

Untouched 1800's Cemetery Preserved In The Basement Of A Tall Building Built Over It

HierEncore Report

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#11

My Grandparents Have A Glassed-Over Well In Their Kitchen

My Grandparents Have A Glassed-Over Well In Their Kitchen

They bought the house 10 years ago, they stripped it down and they found it then. They thought it was quite unique and wanted it as a feature, it’s about 25 foot deep and connects to a small old river that ran under a long time ago. Fortunately I have yet to see anything down there!

TheRedGeradir Report

#12

Our New Apartment Has A Little Milk Door Under The Cabinets

Our New Apartment Has A Little Milk Door Under The Cabinets

d416 Report

#13

My Friend Decided To Replace Her Old Carpet And She Found A Cellar Door And A Cool Surprise

My Friend Decided To Replace Her Old Carpet And She Found A Cellar Door And A Cool Surprise

madhats86 Report

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Aaron Kara
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would be worried that the 'surprise' waiting for me after opening a secret cellar door would be eternal damnation and pure unbridled evil carnage...

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#14

My Apartment Is An Old Police Station And Still Has The Original Cell Doors But Painted

My Apartment Is An Old Police Station And Still Has The Original Cell Doors But Painted

RubMyRing Report

#15

Found Some Friends In A Mile-Long Tunnel That Travels Beneath My Apartment Building

Found Some Friends In A Mile-Long Tunnel That Travels Beneath My Apartment Building

holleyfieldart Report

#16

Lost Hippie Mural Found Under My Flooded House

Lost Hippie Mural Found Under My Flooded House

howisnapoleonbonerpartyalreadytaken Report

#17

Found A Message While Removing Our Cork Floor Tiles

Found A Message While Removing Our Cork Floor Tiles

tougemonster Report

#18

My Living Room Was Built Around A Huge Sandstone Rock

My Living Room Was Built Around A Huge Sandstone Rock

Jesse158 Report

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#19

This Wall Broke Exposing Years Of Layers Of Paint

This Wall Broke Exposing Years Of Layers Of Paint

Cummiekazi Report

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KaPOW
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Think of all that space you are losing, scrape it off and gain and extra cm!

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Aunt Messy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could try that, if you want the entire building condemned because of the lead paint.

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Moo Moo Futch
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All that lead paint will make your house the perfect nuclear fall out shelter....

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Susann Campbell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in a house where one room was like this. Wall paper, paint wallpaper paint . sometimes wallpaper, wallpaper and all was layers of little kids to teen and then paint and start all over again with baby, little boy or girl each layer told a story of each child that had that room from birth to moving out. Saved the layers and then they got lost, another story there for that! We did get to the original wall and it was so smooth and cool. It took paint and made it disappear. I had to seal the walls and then it was a delight to paint.

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Alexandra Perry
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would leave that spot exposed. It looks like a piece of art! Maybe hang an empty frame around it. :)

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Troux
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is similar to Fordite, a multi-layered mass of paint that's a byproduct of old automotive factories.

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MBZ MetalsmithArtist
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was just about to say the same! A few years ago I found someone at the Tucson gem show that was also selling "Boatite" (made from the remnants of a boat manufacturer)

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Moo Moo Futch
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's clear is that there some questionable choices of colour schemes in that little time capsule.

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Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. Like tree-rings or stone layers for geological dating

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Molly Block
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Room started out as 10x10 and now it's more like 9x9 hahaha. I've seen this phenomenon many times in the houses in New Orleans, back when I lived there in the 90's.

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

If it were decades of automotive paint, it would have the name 'Fordite'. Google it... it gets recycled into jewelry.

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

Every time you paint a house, it gets bigger. Every time you paint a room, it gets smaller.

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Adrienne Early
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They make jewellery from paint layers scrapped from car factories. https://www.boredpanda.com/car-paint-deposits-fordite-detroit-agate/

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Sharon Tiede
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How many story’s and years you can think of when you see this tiny edge 😵 if walls could tell us..!

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GlynisLailann
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could chisel various gouges in the wall to make it an artistic feature.

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Genevieve Gates
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in an apartment like this. We said the only way the old place stayed up was cause of the layers of paint holding it up. And of course there were lead layers. But still fun to pick at.

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Larry Helms
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like a tree. I wonder if paint layers also indicate age. LOL

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Slune
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you'll take it of, the room doubles in its size.

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Stille20
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

New York City? They just keep throwing new coats of paint over old walls

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Doodlebug
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of those candles from the '70s hat were dipped in several different colours of wax, then the wax was carved or peeled. Cool!

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KT Trondsen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

jese, you're losing square footage when its getting that thick lol

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#20

Found Some Nice Drawings Under The Wallpaper I'm Removing

Found Some Nice Drawings Under The Wallpaper I'm Removing

Fristiloverke13 Report

#21

100-Year-Old Elevator Handle I Saved

100-Year-Old Elevator Handle I Saved

Canars1 Report

#22

These "Tom And Jerry" Type Mouse Holes Gnawed In A House Built In 1741

These "Tom And Jerry" Type Mouse Holes Gnawed In A House Built In 1741

oppleTANK Report

#23

Uncovered At A Times Square Construction Site

Uncovered At A Times Square Construction Site

elshgi Report

#24

I've Been Living In My House And I Just Noticed My Back Door Handle Is A Spoon

I've Been Living In My House And I Just Noticed My Back Door Handle Is A Spoon

Basselopehunter Report

#25

The House I'm Staying In Has Kept Its Original Well As A Feature

The House I'm Staying In Has Kept Its Original Well As A Feature

Gberry13 Report

#26

So I Just Moved Into A New Apartment, And Made A Big Discovery

So I Just Moved Into A New Apartment, And Made A Big Discovery

demc7 Report

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S Bagci
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is awesome. Imagine having this extra space that you aren't paying for . Its awesome. I would clean it and make it livable and not tell anyone.

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#27

While Renovating My Basement We Found This Painting On The Cement Behind The Wall

While Renovating My Basement We Found This Painting On The Cement Behind The Wall

J_A_Prufrock5 Report

#28

I Recently Moved Into A 70s Porn Motif Dream Home. This Is My Bathtub

I Recently Moved Into A 70s Porn Motif Dream Home. This Is My Bathtub

Miners_Not_Minors Report

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Ladies and Gentlemen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, to me it looks like just a wash basin, may its the perspective which is making it look small or that is really small bath tub for midgets!

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#29

Apparently, Disposing Of Old Razor Blades Inside Your Wall Was Acceptable In The 1950's

Apparently, Disposing Of Old Razor Blades Inside Your Wall Was Acceptable In The 1950's

usefulthings Report

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Aaron Kara
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In their defence it is labelled 'razor blades'.' Where else could you possibly dispose of them?

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#30

This Mail Slot In A Building I Was In Today Sends The Mail Down 17 Stories To The Basement. Original From 1929

This Mail Slot In A Building I Was In Today Sends The Mail Down 17 Stories To The Basement. Original From 1929

iiiicpdiiii Report

#31

My House Still Has Old-Fashioned Light Switches From Its Original Construction

My House Still Has Old-Fashioned Light Switches From Its Original Construction

NoFairYouCheated Report

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Bunzilla
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Careful, there might be k**b and tube in there, and that stuff is bad news.

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#32

This Building Has The Original 1909 Electrical Switches

This Building Has The Original 1909 Electrical Switches

Canaris1 Report

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Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's smart. I bet they are still better (better quality, made of better materials, more durable) then new ones. As long there's still someone who knows how they work and how to fix them and as long you can find spare parts for them... OK that might be a problem. But as decoration and for a history lesson it works

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#33

Found This 20-Year-Old Promise Hidden Under The Wallpaper In Our New House

Found This 20-Year-Old Promise Hidden Under The Wallpaper In Our New House

AngeB1818 Report

#34

Friend Tore Down His Wall For Renovations And Found This Mural On Another Wall Behind It

Friend Tore Down His Wall For Renovations And Found This Mural On Another Wall Behind It

Gritzenizer Report

#35

My House Used To Be A Bank, So We Use The Old Safe/Vault As A Basement

My House Used To Be A Bank, So We Use The Old Safe/Vault As A Basement

Pscel Report

#36

There's A Random Chain Embedded In The Wall Of My 1930s-Era Home

There's A Random Chain Embedded In The Wall Of My 1930s-Era Home

WomanOfEld Report

#37

A House My Girlfriend And I Looked At Had A Shower In The Guest Room

A House My Girlfriend And I Looked At Had A Shower In The Guest Room

Bigger_Jaws Report

#38

The Fan In My Toilet (Probably From The 70s) Has The Same Logo As Beats By Dre

The Fan In My Toilet (Probably From The 70s) Has The Same Logo As Beats By Dre

MonsieurEff Report

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#39

My House Still Has The Original Light Switches

My House Still Has The Original Light Switches

tugging_me_softly Report

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ptm45
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the nostalgia it evokes is good but i'm thinking you need to have the electrical rewired but keep the swtiches

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