Mystery of 300-year-old Japanese mermaid mummy

Once considered a sacred treasure, the mummy mermaid shocked scientists when it was discovered that its structure was completely different from what they had imagined.

In Japan, there is a legend that this 300-year-old mermaid mummy will grant immortality to anyone who eats her flesh. Photo: @Okayama Folklore Society.

The 30cm-long creature is said to have been caught in the Pacific Ocean , off the Japanese island of Shikoku, between 1736 and 1741. Photo: @Okayama Folklore Society.

The creature had its arms raised toward a grimacing face. Hair was still visible on its head and its mouth still had the remains of sharp teeth. But its body revealed a distinctive fish-like tail. This has puzzled scientists for years. Photo: @Okayama Folklore Society.

Now, researchers from Kurashiki University of Science and Arts in Japan have taken the mummy for testing and CT scans, aiming to decipher its secrets. Photo: @Okayama Folklore Society.

They conducted tests on the "mermaid" to determine whether it was an organic creature. Photo: @Okayama Folklore Society.

Sadly, they now discover that the creature is entirely artificial. It has no spine as its body is made of paper, cloth and cotton. Photo: @Okayama Folklore Society.

According to scientists, the lower body is actually made from a fish tail, but they think it was added later. Its head is taken from a mammal, and its jaws and teeth are also taken from a fish. Photo: @Okayama Folklore Society.

Dear Readers, please watch the video : "Opening" the 3,000-year-old mummy of an Egyptian Pharaoh: "Shocking" real appearance and earth-shattering secrets. Video source: @VGT TV - Life.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/bi-an-xac-uop-nang-tien-ca-300-nam-tuoi-nhat-ban-post2149042760.html