40 Historical Photos And Stories That Will Surprise And Fascinate You

These 40 surprising historical photos reveal untold stories and rare moments from the past you likely haven’t encountered before.

2000 year old mosaic of a dog next to a knocked over jug.

Mongolian girl enjoying life with her camel

The ruins of Whitby Abbey, with drone lighting showing how it would have looked complete.

Photography ~ DRIFT/Cyberdrone

An Egyptian man stood next to a 2000 year old Roman painting

A very happy couple having their portraits taken in the 1890s

Father and son enjoying their portraits being taken. Early 1900s

Gary Drostle’s “Fishpond” mosaic showcases a captivating illustration of shadows. This artwork employs two distinct types of shadows, each serving a unique purpose.
The primary shadows play a crucial role in shaping and adding a sense of realism to the fish depicted in the mosaic.
In addition to the primary shadows, Drostle incorporates another type of shadow, which can be referred to as “shadow shadows.” These shadows serve a different purpose, acting as a connecting element between the fish and the water in the mosaic.
By strategically placing these shadows, Drostle creates a seamless transition between the fish and their aquatic environment, enhancing the overall cohesion and harmony of the artwork.

Chief Iron Tail driving an early automobile. 1915

Winter school bus, Maine, 1930

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom

A mother working on the family car whilst her husband is away at war. 1944

Tricycle of 3 year old boy named Shin, who died 1,500 meters from the hypocenter of Hiroshima atomic bombing, 1945

Intricately carved Violin of Domenico Galli, 1687

A powerful portrait of Private Walter Henry Chibnall, who died at Passchendaele in 1917, alongside his son, Billy, who died as a POW in WWII. Both made the ultimate sacrifice for Australia.

A family in West Berlin, showing their children to the grandparents living on the other side of the Berlin Wall, in East Berlin, in 1961

An Austrian boy’s delight as he receives a new pair of shoes during WW2.

The fireplace in Little Moreton Hall, constructed between 1504 and 1610 CE, may appear crooked at first glance, but it is, in fact, perfectly straight. The real culprit is the room itself—warped and uneven due to centuries of shifting and settling. Renowned as one of the wonkiest buildings in England, this iconic Tudor manor charms visitors with its distinctive, gravity-defying architecture and crooked charm.

Robin Williams, Dudley Moore and Billy Connelly, 1985

Shoemaker and his cat. Mid 19th century

An intricately adorned bone comb from the early medieval period, discovered in a warrior’s burial site in Fridingen, Germany. The comb, dating back to the early 7th century CE, was stored in a protective case to safeguard its fragile teeth. It is currently on display at the Landesmuseum Württemberg.

Before and after- 2009 above and 2023 below
The 179-yard-long Earlsheaton Tunnel, part of the Great Northern Railway’s loop line from Batley to Wakefield via Dewsbury, opened in 1876 and closed to all traffic in 1965.
In 2012, it was reopened for the use of a ‘greenway’ for cycling and walking

A remarkable 387-year-old handwritten shopping list, dated October 1633, was discovered beneath the floorboards of a London home. Penned by Robert Draper, the letter details various household necessities, including greenfish, pewter spoons, and a frying pan. Now preserved in the National Trust collection, the list reads:
“Mr. Bilby, I pray provide to be sent tomorrow in the cart some greenfish,
The lights from my Lady Cranfield’s chamber,
Two dozen of pewter spoons,
One great fireshovel for the nursery,
And the others, which were sent to be exchanged for some of a better fashion,
A new frying pan,
Together with a note of the prices of such commodities for the rest.”
Your loving friend,
Robert Draper,
October 1633, Copthall.
This rare document offers a fascinating glimpse into 17th-century domestic life and the essentials of a well-stocked household.

Soup kitchen feeding young children in Germany during the Great Depression

2000 year old sapphire ring that belonged to Roman emperor Caligula, depicting his fourth wife Caesonia

1925 Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe – 1935 modified edition with extravagant bodywork created by Henri and Joseph Jonckheere

Four apache scouts, 1888

X-ray scans of Carreño de Miranda’s 1681 portrait of King Charles II of Spain have uncovered a fascinating hidden layer beneath the surface. The scans reveal that the artist painted over an earlier portrait of the king, depicting him at a much younger age. This discovery provides new insights into the evolving portrayal of the monarch and the artistic decisions made to reflect his changing appearance and status over time.

A woman with her possessions in the ruins of Cologne, Germany. 1945

The oldest, most complete bible on Earth. The Ethiopian bible, which was written on goat skin, was the world’s first illustrated Christian Bible and was written around the early fifth century.