A Caloundra woman is calling on the community to help solve the mystery of a set of “strange” teeth that are cemented into the kerb of a busy street.
Jennell McCulloch and her children were walking along Minchinton Street to the Caloundra Library on Saturday morning when her four-year-old daughter said “look mum, teeth”.
“I came to see what they’re looking at and of course you’re going say ‘no, of course they are not teeth, right?’,” Ms McCulloch laughed.
“I get down and look at the kerb and said ‘oh my gosh, she’s found a set of teeth, isn’t that interesting’.”
The Caloundra resident quickly snapped some pictures and took to Facebook, posting on the Caloundra Community Board: “My 4 year old was getting out of the car today and said, “Look Mum, teeth!!.” Anyone know the story behind these teeth in the concrete?! I’m just so curious! Meter 3 in front of Thai Lime Twist and the safe store.”
Having lived in Caloundra for about five years, Ms McCulloch thought it was strange she had never heard about or seen the teeth.
“It was so bizarre and fascinating,” she said.
“I thought ‘I bet you everybody knows about this and there’s a legend about it, or the locals have to know, so I want to know’.”
Of the more than 180 comments the Facebook post generated, Ms McCulloch said only one person had said they had seen the teeth.
The comment was from Lewis Skipper, who said: “We found these while pressure cleaning in front of my dad’s business over 15 years ago. They must have been there when Minchinton Street was first paved in the ’80s.”
Other Facebook comments suggested the teeth could be related to the dentist on Minchinton St, 1300SMILES.
“Other than that, nobody seems to know – it’s quite the mystery,” Ms McCulloch said.
“Then there were some pretty dark things coming up about it in the comments – but my mind never went to those places about it.”
She described the pearly whites as looking like real teeth, but with metal protruding at the front, likened to dentures.
“They do look super-legit so I’m not sure,” Ms McCulloch said.
“I thought, ‘it had to be a cheeky person who put them in there when the pavement got laid out’.
“I’m hoping it’s just a joke, like somebody thought this would be funny – kind of like a time capsule but with someone’s old dentures.
“But some people are definitely going to darker territories with it online.”
Some Facebook comments suggested it was linked to a homicide or someone was buried under the pavement.
“I did a quick Google too, but nothing,” she said.
“I thought, ‘surely people know somebody’s teeth have been put in here, it’s just too odd’.”
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When Ms McCulloch’s children found the teeth, she said they didn’t touch the them but they were very curious, excited and “kind of in shock”.
“I thought for sure they were just little pebbles, until I got closer,” she said.
“You really have to look, so I can see why nobody noticed them.
“Bits of the kerb have kind of eroded so I’m almost wondering if there are more covered up and maybe as it chips away, more will show up.
“I just couldn’t believe it. The kids were the same and they were so excited to hear others were excited about it too.
“I said, ‘girls you wouldn’t believe how many people are wondering about the teeth you found the other day’.”
She said she’d love to be able to tell her children the true story behind the mystery teeth.
“I’m just curious, it’s interesting and it makes that little stretch of sidewalk a bit more exciting,” she said.
“If anybody knows anything please share the information so we can solve the mystery.”
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said: “The community has identified dentures embedded in concrete near Parking Meter Bay 3 along Minchinton Street, Caloundra, and brought it to council’s attention.
“The concrete has been in place for approximately 20 years. It’s not uncommon to find random items in concrete from time to time.”
1300SMILES Caloundra were also approached for comment.
If you know the mystery of the Caloundra curb teeth please email news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au.
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