He finds a metal pipe stuck in a tree and it turns out to be a €75,000 historical piece: “It was totally unexpected.”

What seemed like a simple, worthless log turned out to be the hiding place of a priceless historical object. Marc Dubois, a local artisan specializing in wood carving, discovered a hermetically sealed, finely engraved copper cylinder inside an old oak tree. Its initial appraisal is estimated a value of around €75,000 (~$88,000).

The discovery occurred while Dubois was working with the log, which had fallen during a storm. When his tool struck something unusually hard, he realized it wasn’t wood.

Experts arrive at the scene

Specialized experts were called to the scene and quickly assessed the tube, whose age and potential historical significance justify its high value. According to preliminary analysis, the piece may date back to the 17th century, a period when the region served as a key hub for traders and explorers.

The contents of the cylinder remain a mystery. As a precaution, Dubois and his team have handed it over to experts to protect any documents or objects it might contain. “It could be a message, a map, or even an ancient pact. We don’t know yet, but the possibilities are fascinating,” explained local historian Alain Dupont.

The discovery has sparked a wave of interest in Saint-Audemer. Locals, tourists, and media outlets have flocked to the small Norman town, boosting local commerce and interest in its history. Authorities are already planning to create a museum around the find as part of a project to enrich the region’s cultural heritage.

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