Masonry kit
While investigating their basement like some twisted protagonist in a horror movie, this guy discovered a small black item with three vials in them. At least he was smart enough to not open the vials without knowing what was inside. He even went as far as putting on gloves before picking the object up.

Someone informed the OP that he was holding onto a Masonry kit. No, not masonry as in construction, Masonry as in the Freemasonry belief. Inside of the vials was corn, wine, and oil, which their supposed ancestors received as a form of payment in the days of King Solomon.