Construction workers have discovered thousands of human teeth in the wall of a commercial building in Valdosta, Georgia.

They were disposed of after being retrieved, although a local historical society did offer to take them.

It is unclear how or why the teeth were placed inside the wall.

The Valdosta Daily Times reported that the first tenant of the building, in 1900, was a dentist named Dr. Clarence Whittington, who is speculated to be linked to the find.

Another dentist, Lester G. Youmans, came to Valdosta in 1911 and remained a tenant in the building until at least 1930, according to researcher Harry Evans.

The discovery is not the first of its kind. The building is the third in Georgia found to have teeth hidden in its structure.

Similar discoveries have previously been made in buildings in the cities of Greensboro and Carrolton.

Both buildings were also dental offices in the early 20th century.

"I’m not sure if it was a common practice between dentists at that time, but it’s very strange that there were two other people that said, ‘Hey, we’ve had that happen, too," Ellen Hill, the director of website Valdosta Main Street, said.

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