Macabre Secrets Unveiled: Scans Reveal Gruesome Composition of Mummified ‘Fiji Mermaid’ from Japan

A recent examination of a purported “mermaid” mummy from Japan has unveiled unsettling details about its composition. Scientists conducted X-ray and CT scans on the mummified remains, revealing a macabre amalgamation of fish, monkey, and lizard parts assembled in a manner reminiscent of Frankenstein’s monster. The eerie mummy, referred to as the “Fiji mermaid” due to its resemblance to a similar object acquired by showman P.T. Barnum in the 1840s, measures approximately 11.5 inches (29 centimeters) in length. Acquired by an American naval officer in Japan and donated to the Clark County Historical Society in Ohio in 1906, accompanying documents suggest its origins date back to the mid-1800s.

The initial investigation disclosed that the mummy comprises the head and torso of a monkey affixed to the decapitated body of a fish, with the mermaid’s hands being clawed legs from a lizard, likely a Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). Additionally, scans revealed the presence of wooden stakes inserted into the remains—one from head to tail and another across the shoulder blades—presumably added to maintain the creature’s integrity.

Researchers are currently working on reconstructing a more detailed model of the mermaid and its constituent parts from the scans. Once completed, the team intends to distribute the models to zoos and aquariums for assistance in identifying the individual components at a species level. Interestingly, this mummified mermaid is not the sole subject of recent intensive scans.

Another mummified mermaid, resembling the mythical fish-like creatures known as “ningyo” in Japanese mythology, has also undergone in-depth analysis. According to Japanese folklore, consuming these fictional beings could grant a woman an 800-year lifespan, making them symbols of longevity. It is hypothesized that craftsmen created these cryptic concoctions to cater to affluent individuals seeking ways to extend their lives.

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