- What do you think you'll see on this list?
Do you think you know all the things on this list that were accidently discovered? Or maybe you have an idea of something else to add?
The Terracotta Army — China
In 1974, farmers digging a well near Xi’an accidentally encountered fragments of life-sized clay figures. Archaeologists eventually uncovered thousands of soldiers, horses and weapons associated with the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
Ötzi the Iceman — Alps
In 1991, hikers discovered a human body protruding from melting ice in the Ötztal Alps. Scientists initially thought it was a relatively recent death. Radiocarbon dating revealed that Ötzi lived approximately 5,300 years ago.
The Dead Sea Scrolls
In the late 1940s, Bedouin shepherds discovered ancient scrolls in caves near the Dead Sea. The manuscripts included some of the oldest surviving biblical texts and other Jewish writings. Did you know these were accidently discovered?
Lascaux Cave — France
In 1940, teenagers exploring the countryside near Montignac entered a cave and discovered walls covered with prehistoric paintings. The paintings depict animals such as horses, deer and bulls and are approximately 17,000 years old.
The Antikythera Mechanism
Divers exploring a shipwreck near the Greek island of Antikythera in 1901 recovered a corroded bronze object. Decades of research eventually revealed that it was an extraordinarily sophisticated ancient astronomical device dating to around the 2nd or 1st century BCE.
King Tutankhamun’s Tomb
Howard Carter discovered the entrance to Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt in 1922. Unlike many royal tombs, it contained an extraordinary collection of objects, including the famous golden burial mask. Did you know these were accidently discovered?
The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial — England
In 1939, archaeologists excavated a large burial mound in Suffolk and discovered the remains of an enormous Anglo-Saxon ship burial. The site contained weapons, jewelry and the famous ceremonial helmet.
A Roman City Beneath the Ash — Pompeii
Excavations at Pompeii revealed streets, homes, shops, graffiti, mosaics and everyday objects preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.
The Tollund Man — Denmark
In 1950, peat cutters discovered a remarkably preserved human body in a Danish bog. Tollund Man lived approximately 2,400 years ago and still retained recognizable facial features because of the acidic bog environment. Did you know these were accidently discovered?
The Baghdad Battery
Archaeologists discovered an unusual ancient ceramic vessel containing a copper cylinder and iron rod. Some researchers have proposed that it could have functioned as a primitive battery, although its actual purpose remains disputed.
What do you think is the strangest of this list of things that were accidently discovered? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.