50 Creepy Photos That Reveal A Different Side To History

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a wide range of individuals, including ivory turners, jewelers, chemists, wigmakers, and even blacksmiths, dabbled in dentistry, according to Rachel Bairsto, curator of the British Dental Association museum in central London. The demand for new teeth was prevalent, as even the wealthy suffered from severe tooth decay. As dentistry was still in its early stages, practitioners began using teeth from the deceased to construct dentures. The Battle of Waterloo alone supplied tens of thousands of teeth from dead soldiers. During this time, dentures were made with ivory base plates, to which human teeth were attached or ivory “teeth” were directly incorporated into the denture structure.

In 2013, Tampa, Florida witnessed an awe-inspiring sight as a massive waterspout made its way towards the city. Although it may appear impressive, it is important to note that waterspouts are essentially water-based tornadoes, and although they tend to be weaker than their land counterparts, they are still quite fearsome. Fortunately, these spouts usually dissipate relatively quickly, lasting only five to ten minutes. However, even in this short span of time, they can cause significant damage. Joey Mole, a resident of Florida, managed to capture an incredible photo of this phenomenon. Additionally, there is a circulating video on the internet, accompanying the photo, which contains explicit language if you are interested in viewing it.

The first of over 200 film adaptations of Bram Stoker’s Dracula was Nosferatu. Released in 1922, this film marked a departure from the romanticized portrayal of the vampire, as Max Schreck played a grotesque and demonic creature of the night. Unlike most vampires, who are often depicted as humans possessed by a demonic entity, Dracula in Nosferatu is portrayed as a more purely demonic being. While the movie is based on Stoker’s book, Schreck’s performance deliberately lacked the sexuality and flamboyance typically associated with vampires, resulting in a unique and effective portrayal. Without his creepy and animalistic take on the character of Count Orlok, “Nosferatu” would not have been the chilling and highly influential silent film that it is known as today.

For centuries, young girls in China underwent a painful practice of tightly binding their feet in order to hinder their growth. This resulted in their toes curling and their feet shrinking, giving the appearance of dainty feet, when in reality, they were causing severe deformity and disability to themselves and future generations. The ideal foot size was no longer than three inches, with a crescent shape, as it symbolized beauty and indicated a higher social status and wealth. Although foot binding was eventually outlawed in China during the 20th century, there are still elderly women today who suffer from lifelong disabilities as a result of this agonizing and antiquated tradition.

Isn’t this opalized tree piece absolutely stunning? It possesses an ethereal beauty that is beyond this world! As indicated by the experts at ZME Science, this specific sample is quite rare. While opal is commonly found inside petrified wood, this one is a fire opal, which is even more exceptional and valuable. Fire opals are renowned for their enchanting array of colors. How does this marvelous transformation occur? The process is rather straightforward. Water seeped into the fossil’s tiny crevices and cavities, gradually solidifying and transforming into opal due to its high silica content. And voila! You have a tree that would be adored by fairies themselves!

Situated in the northern region of Utah, the Great Salt Lake stands as the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. A causeway effectively separates this body of water, often referred to as “America’s Dead Sea,” into two distinct sections, each distinguished by the vibrant hues resulting from the presence of unique bacteria. The unexpected beauty of these bacteria brings forth an eerie sense of fascination. Interestingly, local folklore surrounding the lake tells of a mysterious creature dwelling within its depths. An intriguing tale recounts an evening in mid-1877 when J.H. McNeil and colleagues from Barnes and Co. Salt Works gathered along the lake’s north shore, claiming to have encountered a monstrous being. Describing its enormous size, possessing a crocodile-like body and a horse’s head, they were convinced that it aggressively approached them. Frightened, they swiftly retreated and concealed themselves until daybreak. Although the existence of this creature has never been substantiated, it has earned the name of the North Shore Monster, serving as a captivating legend associated with the lake.

Pinhead on ice? No way, just another bizarre beauty trend from the 1960s. Those women were absolutely wild. Despite the fact that their techniques were downright creepy and nonsensical, they actually stumbled upon something with this one. It’s a known fact that ice can provide relief to tired muscles and help reduce swelling and puffiness around the eyes. However, their approach was far more complex compared to the simple frozen gel-packs we have today (which achieve the same results). It would have been much more practical to place a damp cloth in the freezer for 20 minutes and gently lay it over their faces… but then again, that wouldn’t have been very 60s!

In 1978, in St. Louis, there was an intriguing sight – brains being sold. However, don’t worry, it wasn’t Hannibal Lecter opening a deli. It turns out that consuming animal brains is a common practice in certain cultures. Various cuisines, such as those from Italy, France, Spain, El Salvador, and Mexico, incorporate cow or veal brains into their dishes. Interestingly, this particular photo gained popularity because it graced the cover of Bill Frisell’s 1991 album titled “Where in the World?” This album, the third released on the Elektra Nonesuch label, features outstanding performances by Frisell, Hank Roberts, Kermit Driscoll, and Joey Baron.

Death masks, often made of wax or plaster, are created by taking a mold directly from the deceased person’s face. These masks serve as authentic portraits of the deceased, although minor modifications can be made if desired. In some cases, alterations are made to the eyes of the mask to give the illusion that the subject is still alive, which can be quite unsettling. Throughout history, starting from ancient Egypt, death masks have been used to assist portrait sculptors. Over the past few centuries, they have also been treasured as keepsakes to commemorate the departed.

The image displayed showcases a hand-shaped brand that was employed on criminals and deserters in England between 1642 and 1649. The intention behind using branding tools was to both shame the wrongdoers and enable their easy identification as potential threats. In this specific case, the British Army devised this hand-shaped brand during the English Civil War, which lasted from 1641 to 1651. The tool itself is adorned with the initials ‘CR’ encircling a crown. It is believed that this refers to ‘Carolus Rex,’ signifying King Charles I, who was executed for treason in 1649. Consequently, this particular brand would have been employed to mark deserters from the Royalist army. However, this practice was completely abandoned in 1879.

The stage is absolutely amazing. This incredible Opera stage was constructed in Austria specifically for the Bregenz performing arts festival. The Bregenzer Festspiele, also known as the Bregenz Festival, is renowned for its extravagant and highly praised productions. One of their notable creations was the breathtaking set for Verdi’s opera “A Masked Ball” in 1999. The set itself consisted of a gigantic book stage being unveiled by a skeleton. This extraordinary performance took place on Lake Constance in Bregenz, Austria.

Josephine Myrtle Corbin, an American sideshow performer, was born with a condition called dipygus. This meant that her body axis split during development, resulting in two separate pelvises positioned side by side. In addition, she had four legs, with each outer leg paired with a smaller inner leg. While she could move her inner legs, they were too weak for walking. At the age of 13, she joined the sideshow circuit and became known as the “Four-Legged Girl from Texas”. Eventually, she left the entertainment industry and got married to James Clinton Bicknell at the age of 19. Together, they had four daughters and a son. During her first pregnancy, it was discovered that both sides of her external and internal genital organs were symmetrical. Interestingly, it was her left uterus that was carrying the pregnancy at the time.

For quite some time, a phenomenon called “spider rain” has been occurring in the rural areas of Australia. The first documented instance dates back to 1914, initially referred to as “angel hair” and linked to extraterrestrial or mythical beings. Keith Basterfield, a retiree from South Australia, has dedicated over 15 years to studying this peculiar occurrence. He has observed that spider rain typically happens in May or August, on clear and slightly windy days following heavy rainfall. The phenomenon is caused by baby spiders migrating in search of food. Essentially, these tiny creatures decide to crash the party of the mosquitoes that emerge after a rainstorm and feast on them. Basterfield further explains the dynamics of this phenomenon.

During the 15th century, the Catholic Church employed a horrifying hand crushing machine to discipline individuals deemed to possess “greedy hands.” Surprisingly, this contradicted the commonly held belief that “idle hands do the devil’s work”. One can only imagine what the church would have done to individuals with such tendencies! Unfortunately, this device merely scratches the surface when it comes to the assortment of torture apparatuses that have been devised throughout history. Across various cultures and religions, humans have consistently discovered the most gruesome methods to inflict punishment upon one another. Fortunately, this unsettling contraption has long been removed from use.

In this eerie image, we witness a young girl standing in a graveyard, fixated on her reflection in the lake. Strangely, two reflections are cast, suggesting the presence of an unseen entity visible only through the water. The identity of the girl, the location, and the time this photograph was taken remain shrouded in mystery. Based on the photo’s appearance and the girl’s attire, experts have speculated that it originated in the early 1900s. While some claim the photo has been thoroughly analyzed and found to be unaltered, many others argue that it is a composite image. This enigmatic photograph, titled “The Reflecting Pool,” is part of a vast collection curated by Peter A. Cohen, who has spent the last 25 years amassing old and enigmatic photographs like this one. These captivating images, including “The Reflecting Pool,” can be discovered within the pages of the book Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

Halloween in the 1920s had a much creepier vibe, with costumes that were difficult to decipher. Kids would dress up in horrifyingly realistic skull masks and skin-like face coverings, making it hard to even recognize them. The unidentified masks were particularly unsettling, leaving one wondering what exactly they were supposed to be. Additionally, wearing occult robes and hoods was a common practice, which may have actually been authentic spiritualist camp attire.

There are approximately 8,000 known species of centipedes worldwide, indicating a significant global presence. However, this may not be the information you were hoping for. Certain species, such as those belonging to the Geophilomorpha and Scolopendromorpha groups, exhibit a higher number of maternal females. These females actively protect and nurture their eggs by guarding and licking them to safeguard against fungal threats. In fact, some females continue to care for their offspring even after they have hatched, ensuring their safety until they are capable of venturing out on their own. Interestingly, disturbances can lead to negative outcomes, such as the female abandoning or consuming her eggs. Additionally, in certain species, the offspring have been observed to consume their own mother. These intriguing behaviors certainly make centipedes quite captivating creatures, don’t you think?

Take a look at this Bear Paw Armor utilized in the Indo-Persian Islamic Empire Dynasty. These horrifying accessories would even give Freddy Krueger a shudder! Indo-Persian culture encompasses Persian characteristics that have been assimilated into the cultures of South Asia, particularly North India and Pakistan. While claw-like gloves were not unique to this region, they were frequently utilized as weapons by warriors during that era.

In the 1800s, during the Victorian era, the Europeans displayed a lack of respect towards Egypt’s history following Napoleon’s conquest of Egypt. Mummies, which deserved reverence, were instead treated as humorous objects, even sold by street vendors. The European elites went as far as organizing “Mummy Unwrapping Parties” for their entertainment, where mummies were unwrapped in front of enthusiastic crowds. Additionally, well-preserved remains of ancient Egyptians were ground into powder and consumed as a medicinal remedy during this period. Such practices are quite repugnant.

Take a look at this bold sea creature! It is fearlessly propelling itself forward, seeking out humans to present as sacrifices to Cthulhu. Can you imagine being the diver in that situation? Feeling the immense tentacles tightly coil around your ankles? It’s highly likely that every Science Fiction Horror movie ever watched by the diver is racing through their mind at this precise moment.

Imagine coming across this horrifying scene as a logger. Meet Stuckie, the unfortunate hound dog who managed to get himself trapped in a tree and is now perfectly preserved like a mummy. Back in the 80s, loggers stumbled upon Stuckie when they were cutting up a Chestnut Oak Tree. Instead of sending him off to the Pulp Mill, they decided to donate him to Forest World, a real tourist attraction in Georgia dedicated to trees. It’s incredible how well-preserved Stuckie is, having been mummified for an estimated 20 years before being discovered. The display accompanying him in Forest World explains the remarkable circumstances that allowed him to be so perfectly preserved in the wild.

Wow! Look at the enormous grasshopper in this photo taken in 1937 and featured in the local papers. The front page of the Tomah (Wis.) Monitor-Herald on Sept. 9, 1937, exclaimed, “Butts Orchard East of City Invaded by Giant Grasshoppers.” The accompanying article described an unbelievable scenario that turned out to be true. It turns out that farmer A. L. Butts had developed a special plant food for his apple orchard, and the grasshoppers that ate it grew to an incredible length of 3 ft.

Doesn’t it make you nervous to look at? It seems like it’s going to collapse onto the trolley car, right? The Great Gorge Route operated trolley cars through the gorge every fifteen minutes, seven days a week by its sixth year. However, the route was closed seasonally, mainly from May to April 30th, when rockfalls were most likely to occur. Even with two months of closure, the route still had an impressive average of 200,000 passengers. The erosion of walls posed the biggest threat to the railroad, which should have been anticipated from the beginning. Rock falls repeatedly disrupted the Great Gorge Route. Fortunately, in its forty years of operation and with over thirteen million passengers, no one was ever hit by a falling rock.

Isn’t it amazingly eerie how cool the pirate ship from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest looks? Prior to its appearance alongside Johnny Depp, it underwent a process of being coated with Super-Krete’s Bond-Kote and adorned with intricate and decorative concrete overlays. This ship was truly a fitting vessel for the infamous pirate of the Seven Seas, Captain Jack Sparrow. According to the Disney biography, Captain Jack Sparrow is described as a mischievous trickster of the Caribbean, a captain with questionable morals and sobriety. He is a master at promoting himself and looking out for his own interests, constantly battling against his own better instincts.

Located in the Faroe Islands, between Iceland and Norway, is a mesmerizing optical illusion. At first glance, Lake Sørvágsvatn seems to be positioned hundreds of feet above the ocean. However, in reality, the lake sits only 30 meters (98 feet) above sea level, while the rock it rests on reaches a height of 100 meters (328 feet). This intriguing phenomenon is dependent on the angle from which it is viewed. Thanks to the art of photography, capturing the perfect perspective creates an illusion where the cliff appears colossal, while the lake seems to be on the same level.

Take a look at the eerie vintage Battletoads taxidermy! These fighting frogs were unearthed in an secluded 19th-century French mansion that had been sealed off for over a century. The mansion was previously owned by a wealthy and generous yet peculiar man named Louis Mantin. The Mantin Mansion had been kept under lock and key according to Mr. Mantin’s wishes, as it seems that extreme wealth can lead to some eccentric behavior. Although he passed away in 1905, his will specified that the house must remain closed until a hundred years after his death, at which point it would be open to the public. To add to the strangeness, the time capsule’s contents unveiled peculiarities like this!

In July 1913, the renowned French photographer Albert Kahn captured a haunting image that continues to disturb viewers. Known for his expeditions to various far-flung destinations, it was during his visit to Mongolia that he chanced upon a woman subjected to a cruel fate. Condemned to suffer a slow and agonizing death by starvation, she was confined within a makeshift tomb, depicted in this photograph, and abandoned in a desolate desert. In her desperate state, she relied on small bowls of water placed on the ground to sustain herself, and she was permitted to beseech passersby for food, although their contributions were meager. Despite witnessing this harrowing scene, the photographer was unable to intervene due to the ethical guidelines followed by anthropologists. Observing without interference, anthropologists are bound by a principle of non-interference in the legal and social systems of the cultures they study.

Indeed, this is an actual photograph of a preserved human heart. Back in 1863, it was discovered by a workman within the crypt of an old church, enclosed in a lead cyst. The heart was found resting on a coffin lid, accompanied by a metal plate bearing the inscription ‘1549’, however, no name was associated with it. It’s quite eerie. The duration of the heart’s entombment in the crypt and its original owner still remain a mystery. One possibility is that it was part of a religious ritual, as the practice of separately burying the heart stems from the mystical belief that the soul and consciousness reside within it. This belief holds that the heart is the most esteemed aspect of a person and holds the secret to life and emotions.

Imagine this creature, alive and alert, fixating its gaze on you as if you were a delectable sandwich. Its skeletal remains would fit seamlessly in the HR Giger museum, possibly as a striking stair railing. However, this nightmarish creation is not even the largest of its species. Anacondas can reach lengths exceeding 29 feet and weigh over 550 pounds! Some have even been measured with a diameter of over 12 inches. Interestingly, the females of this species grow considerably larger than their male counterparts.

Take a look at these adorable little goblins! Forget about the Avengers costumes, this vintage photograph captures a time when children truly knew how to dress up and give you a good scare on Halloween. These kids definitely had the right idea! According to tradition, Samhain was the one occasion when the deceased could come back to Earth and roam alongside the living. They would cause mischief, harm crops, and even potentially take innocent souls back to the underworld before sunrise. In order to blend in with the supernatural creatures that lurk in the darkness, people would disguise themselves with masks, cloaks, and peculiar hats to resemble ghosts, ghouls, and witches.

In this image, we can see a woman belonging to the Apatani tribe, displaying her nose plugs with pride. Initially, the purpose behind the extensive use of nose plugs among the women of the Apatani tribe in India was to ensure their safety. Their intention was to appear unappealing in order to avoid being targeted for abduction or sexual violence by men from other tribes. It is disheartening that these women felt compelled to intentionally alter their appearance in order to protect themselves from potential harm inflicted by men.

The Maya culture performed human sacrifices as a way to provide nourishment to the gods. They believed that blood from any living creature contained powerful nourishment, making the sacrifice of a human life the most significant offering. Typically, high-status prisoners of war were chosen for sacrifice, and various methods were used. These included decapitation, heart extraction, shooting with arrows, throwing sacrifices into sinkholes, burying them alive alongside noble burials, and tying them into a ball for a ritual reenactment of the Mesoamerican ballgame, often followed by disembowelment. This practice was certainly intense and shocking.

James Ricalton captured a photograph in 1903 showcasing bullock skin boats along the river Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh. This image is featured in Ricalton’s book, ‘India Through the Stereoscope’ (1907).

Roy Lee “Rocky” Dennis had craniodiaphyseal dysplasia, an uncommon bone disorder characterized by abnormal hardening of the bones. This condition often leads to neurological complications and premature death in childhood or adolescence. Rocky’s life served as the inspiration for the 1985 drama film Mask. Despite facing visual and auditory impairments, as well as excruciating headaches, Rocky defied expectations and accomplished many feats his doctors believed were beyond his capabilities. Against recommendations, he started school at the age of six and eventually learned how to read. Although he initially struggled academically (spending two years in first grade), he made significant progress before passing away at the age of 16.

Keith Richards is widely recognized as a guitarist and founding member of the Rolling Stones, showcasing his dedication and musical brilliance. He effortlessly switches between lead and rhythm guitar within the same song and takes charge of all the guitar parts in the recording studio. Some notable tracks where his guitar skills shine include “Paint It Black,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” and “Gimme Shelter.” Richards also contributes backup vocals and occasionally takes the lead. Rolling Stone magazine has hailed him as “rock’s greatest single body of riffs” on guitar. Additionally, he was ranked fourth on the magazine’s list of the 100 best guitarists in 2011. Moreover, fourteen songs co-written by Richards and Rolling Stones’ lead vocalist Mick Jagger have earned a spot on the magazine’s prestigious “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list.

In the Middle Ages, if you were someone who talked a lot or constantly complained, you could find yourself restrained in a peculiar contraption known by different names like scold’s bridle, a witch’s bridle, a brank’s bridle, or simply branks. Regardless of its name, this device was designed to bring punishment, torture, and shame to its wearer. It consisted of an iron framework, screws, and sometimes even a muzzle that covered the entire head. Although primarily used on women, historical records from Scotland’s major towns, known as the Burgh Records, indicate that men were subjected to the branks as well.

Florida, you never fail to amaze with your eccentricity. In the past, pageants seemed to be organized for almost every conceivable attribute or skill across the country. Women would willingly subject themselves to the scrutiny of unfamiliar faces, whether it be for their physical beauty, posture, ankles, or even their feet. This photograph captures the contenders of a 1930 “Miss Lovely Eyes” competition held in Florida. It seems only fitting to create an eerie atmosphere to properly assess a woman’s eyes, doesn’t it?

Take a look at this intriguing image! Displayed here is the preserved heart of Auguste Delagrange, a notorious individual from the early 1900s who allegedly murdered a minimum of 40 individuals and was rumored to be a genuine vampire. In 1912, he was executed for his heinous crimes and to ensure his eternal rest, a small stake was inserted into his supposed vampire heart. Today, this once-beating organ is mummified, serving as a chilling reminder of Delagrange’s dark legacy.

Located on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia, the impressive Bran Castle, famously known as Dracula’s Castle, is a renowned national monument and landmark in Romania. It is one of the many sites associated with the Dracula legend, along with Poenari Castle and Hunyad Castle, both connected to Vlad III Dracula. While Bran Castle is often believed to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, there is no evidence to suggest that Stoker was even aware of its existence.

If you find yourself dreading dental visits nowadays, take a moment to imagine what it was like in the past when highly trained dentists were not yet practicing and instead, barber-surgeons were in charge. These alleged “skilled” laborers would extract teeth for any reason, even when the infection had already spread to the gums and only antibiotics could effectively treat it. Anesthetic was a rare commodity, so just picture a situation where a wild-eyed Sweeney Todd-like figure is hacking away at your mouth without any pain relief. It is not surprising that the mortality rate associated with dental procedures was once quite high.

Italian archaeologists have discovered the remarkable remains of a Roman-era couple who have been holding hands for an astonishing 1,500 years. The couple, believed to have lived during the 5th and 6th century A.D. in central-northern Italy, were found in simple trench tombs, indicating that they were likely not wealthy individuals. Donato Labate, the director of the excavation, speculates that they may have been inhabitants of a farm. Labate also mentioned that the couple was initially buried with their faces facing each other, but the position of the man’s vertebrae suggests that his head had moved after death.

Take a look at this up-close perspective of the African death’s head hawkmoth. Among the three species of its kind, the Acherontia species is widely recognized for its distinct skull-shaped pattern on the thorax, which can be faintly observed. This moth possesses various peculiar characteristics: when irritated, it emits a loud squeaking sound from its proboscis and often displays its brightly marked abdomen to deter predators. Additionally, this species has a preference for raiding beehives for honey during the night. Interestingly, it is more selective than other Acherontia species and specifically targets colonies of the well-known Western honey bee, Apis mellifera. When confronted by guard bees, its strong exterior and resistance to venom enable it to enter the hive. Once inside, it adopts the scent of the bees and seamlessly blends in.

Antoine Michel Wemaer and Marie-Alide Heene, hailing from Bruges, Belgium, rest eternally in the burial grounds of Burges Cemetery. United in holy matrimony in 1800, their bond persisted until November 24, 1837, when Antoine joined Marie-Alide in the realm of the deceased. In a poignant display of their unbreakable connection, they were laid to rest side by side at this very location. It is worth noting that the prevalent use of the skull and crossbones during that era served as a stark reminder of the inevitability of human mortality.

Despite its lack of stealth, this clanging and shambling armor seemed to serve its purpose adequately. Surprisingly, this armor, which appears unsuitable for the Renaissance era, was utilized by the military until as late as World War I. It was considered highly advanced during its time and offered significant protection against bullets, although not entirely foolproof. Undeniably, its appearance is quite terrifying. Whether armed or unarmed, it is unlikely that anyone would willingly approach this eerie figure on the battlefield.

In 1886, a photograph was captured showcasing a young girl named Ella Harper, famously known as the “camel girl”. Ella possessed a unique orthopedic condition that allowed her to bend her knees in a complete backward manner and move around by crawling on the ground. She became the main attraction at W. H. Harris’s Nickel Plate Circus during the same year. Her pitch card included the following description:

Stonehenge continues to be an enigma, as its origins and purpose remain shrouded in mystery. Countless theories have emerged, primarily revolving around mystical explanations. Nevertheless, in 2007, the discovery of a nearby village by archaeologists led to speculation that Stonehenge may have served as a sacred burial site, possibly for ancient kings. However, considering the fragmented state of the remains, it is more plausible that it functioned as a pilgrimage destination for the afflicted. The rocks themselves have long been associated with healing abilities, stemming from a legend that attributes their magical properties to their transportation from Ireland and the enchantments of the sorcerer Merlin.