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Unlocking Intrigue: Top 6 Fun and Fascinating Facts About Doors You Never Knew

illustration of doors
Get ready to unlock a world of fascinating tidbits as we open the door to some truly surprising and entertaining facts about doors!

1. Neolithic Swiss Door Discovery

Opera-tion Discovery: Who would’ve thought that when searching for the perfect spot to park your car for an evening at the opera, you could stumble upon a 5,000-year-old wooden door? Hidden beneath Zurich's soil, ingeniously designed with poplar wood and age-defying hinges, this pre-Alpine relic serves as a testament to the creativity and intelligence of our ancient neighbors. Our hat's off to you, Neolithic Swiss door makers!
Source => theguardian.com

2. Drunk Man's Lock

Ah, the good old days when tavern-tripping and key fumbling went hand in hand like a fine ale and a bowl of stew: Behold, the "drunk man's lock" from the 17th-18th century, designed with a unique shape and foliage decoration to help inebriated individuals find the keyhole in the dark, although its true intention still remains a matter of debate.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

3. Egyptian False Doors

Knock, knock: who's there? Not ancient Egyptians, that's for sure! These clever folks were fans of false doors – ones that didn't open to anywhere – in their tombs and temples: These seemingly deceptive doors weren't meant to bamboozle grave burglars, but rather to provide a symbolic gateway connecting the worlds of the living and the dead. Elaborately adorned with inscriptions and offerings for the departed, these captivating false entrances can be viewed in museums across the globe.
Source => ancient-origins.net

4. Door to Hell: Darvaza Gas Crater

Knock knock, who's there? The Door to Hell: The Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan, nicknamed the "Door to Hell," has been ablaze for an indefinite duration, its origins shrouded in hot mystery. Though attempts have been made to smother the eternal inferno, it perseveres as a sizzling tourist hotspot, leading brave explorers like George Kourounis to venture inside for science's sake in 2013.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Mayans' Venus Road Map

5. Mayans' Venus Road Map

Before GPS and Siri, the Mayans had their very own cosmic road map planner for war, all thanks to the planet Venus stepping up as their astronomical ally: El Caracol, a remarkable structure in the ancient city of Chichen Itza, was ingeniously aligned with Venus' movements, a planet they deemed their celestial war god, thus using its position to strategically plan battles and raids. Talk about divine intervention with a stellar touch!
Source => annex.exploratorium.edu

6. Pineapple Doorknob Prestige

Imagine knocking on a door and getting a prickly handshake from a pineapple: that's right, pineapple-shaped doorknobs used to be all the rage! The serious reveal: In the 1800s, these fruit-inspired doorknobs were a symbol of wealth and prestige in Europe, as pineapples themselves transitioned from an unattainable exotic treat to a popular decorative motif on various household items.
Source => atlasobscura.com

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