Stepping into your own backyard might feel like a routine part of life, but for some, it’s led to incredible, even bizarre, discoveries. From ancient fossils to hidden treasures, you never know what might be lurking just beneath the surface. Here are 15 of the most unusual backyard finds that will have you itching to start digging.
15. A World War II Bomb
In February 2024, a homeowner in Plymouth, UK, unearthed something far more dangerous than buried treasure—a massive, unexploded bomb from World War II. Initially mistaken for scrap metal, the 1,100-pound bomb was one of nearly 1,400 dropped on the city during the war. Authorities evacuated over 10,000 residents as experts carefully removed the bomb and safely detonated it in the English Channel. This discovery serves as a stark reminder that history can still disrupt our lives today, even decades later.
14. False Teeth
In 2017, a dog named Pandora gave her owner a hilarious surprise in São Paulo, Brazil, by digging up a set of false teeth. As she returned from playing in the garden, dentures in mouth, her owner couldn’t help but laugh. It turns out the previous elderly residents of the house might have misplaced the teeth, leaving them for Pandora to find years later. This quirky discovery is proof that you never know what oddities might be buried right under your feet.
13. A Diamond Carrot
In a heartwarming twist, a Canadian woman, Mary Grahams, lost her diamond ring while gardening back in 2004. Thirteen years later, the ring was found by her daughter-in-law—growing around a carrot! The vegetable had wrapped itself around the ring, bringing the lost treasure back to light. This incredible discovery ended a long mystery and highlighted nature’s way of delivering surprises in the most unexpected fashion.
12. Medieval Jewels
In 2007, an Austrian man working on his pond in Vienna stumbled upon what turned out to be a treasure trove of medieval jewels. He initially thought they were just dirty clumps of soil, but after cleaning them up, he found over 200 pieces of ancient jewelry, dating back around 650 years. This forgotten treasure has since been displayed at the Hofburg Palace, but the question remains: why were they buried in the first place?
11. A Time Capsule
In early 2024, a man in Springfield, Missouri, made a nostalgic discovery while preparing his yard for construction—a rusty coffee can containing a time capsule from 1994. Inside was a letter from a 12-year-old boy and an assortment of ’90s memorabilia, including action figures and trading cards. Thanks to the power of social media, the man who buried the capsule as a child was tracked down, and they were reunited with this charming piece of their past.
10. A 34-Million-Year-Old Whale Fossil
Sometimes, the ground beneath us hides prehistoric secrets. In 2023, Alabama resident Lindsey Stallworth, along with her biology teacher, uncovered the ancient remains of a whale dating back 34 million years. The fossil, possibly from an unknown relative of the basilosaurus, revealed delicate bones and a skull, giving paleontologists a rare glimpse into life long before humans.
9. A Menhir
In 1987, amateur historian Steven Davies uncovered an ancient monument known as the Hor Stone in his backyard in England. After months of searching and research, Davies located the stone, which had been hidden under thick ivy. Mentioned in legal documents over 800 years old, this discovery shed new light on local history and highlighted how even hobbyist historians can contribute to preserving the past.
8. A Nuclear Fallout Shelter
Tucson, Arizona, hides a relic from the Cold War in the most unassuming of places—a homeowner’s backyard. Built in 1961, the nuclear fallout shelter was discovered by the current owner after receiving a tip from a previous resident. The shelter, complete with concrete walls and a fiberglass dome, is a reminder of the fears that dominated the era. The homeowner plans to restore this piece of history, ensuring its story lives on.
7. A Mysterious Transparent Object
In 2014, two sisters in Kitner, Canada, stumbled upon a shiny, transparent object while digging for worms. Initially thought to be a meteorite fragment, further analysis revealed it to be nothing more than a colorful glass garden ornament. Although not an out-of-this-world find, the discovery certainly sparked curiosity.
6. Buried Statues
Sometimes backyard discoveries can be alarming—at least at first. In 2022, a woman in Washington unearthed several human-shaped casts while weeding her yard. Initially concerned, she quickly realized these weren’t ancient remains but rather leftover art projects from the previous homeowners. While not a mysterious treasure, this odd find added a unique twist to a regular day of gardening.
5. Mastodon Fossils
In 2014, Daniel Point Jr. of Michigan unearthed a significant piece of history while helping a neighbor with some backyard digging—a large mastodon bone. What started as a routine project turned into a major discovery, including leg bones and vertebrae of this ancient creature that roamed the Earth 10,000 to 14,000 years ago. Marks on the bones suggest they were hunted by early humans, offering a glimpse into prehistoric survival strategies.
4. The Saddle Ridge Hoard
In 2013, a California couple stumbled upon what would become one of the most famous treasure finds in recent history. The Saddle Ridge Hoard included over 1,400 gold coins dating back to the 19th century, valued at over $10 million. The origins of the treasure remain a mystery, with theories ranging from hidden loot to bank robberies. Regardless, it’s a reminder that treasure hunting is alive and well—even in your own backyard.
3. A Huge Roman Villa
A landowner in Oxfordshire, England, discovered a vast Roman villa nearly 2,000 years old after years of research and exploration. Using modern technology, he was able to map the layout of the villa, which included walls, rooms, and even a bathhouse. This discovery shed light on Roman life in ancient Britain, adding another chapter to the country’s rich archaeological history.
2. A Ferrari
In 1978, a family in Los Angeles found something no one would expect—an entire Ferrari buried in their yard. The luxury car, a Dino 246 GTS, had been part of an insurance fraud scheme. After being reported stolen, it was buried in an attempt to hide the evidence. The car was eventually returned to its rightful owner, and this backyard discovery became a strange piece of local legend.
1. Sutton Hoo
Perhaps the most famous backyard find of all, Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, England, revealed one of the greatest archaeological discoveries ever made. The site, uncovered in 1939, contained a ship believed to be the burial place of an Anglo-Saxon king, along with a treasure trove of artifacts. Sutton Hoo transformed historians’ understanding of the so-called Dark Ages, revealing a rich culture of craftsmanship and trade.
