The mummy was considered a sacred relic. Photo: Taken from RT in Spanish.
A strange mummy found in a fishing net in 19th-century Japan has been venerated at Enjuin Temple for decades as it was considered a sacred relic, although it was believed to be a combination of a monkey and a fish is, scientists were already revealing what the creature is made of
Using CT scans, researchers at Kurashiki University of Science and Arts They discovered that the mummy does not belong to any animal or human but is a man-made object.
Although the mermaid monkey mummy has an ape-like face, hands and torso, and a fish-like tail, it is actually made out of fabric, cotton, paper, puffer fish skin, and fish bones.
The mummy has no bones that you would expect from an animal. It lacks a skull, spine, ribs, or phalanges.
Kurashiki University of Sciences and Arts said in a statement that it was probably made around the year 1800 and is not the only mummy of this type, as at least 13 similar objects have been found in Japan.
It is believed that these items were used to bring good luck or fight disease, but many beliefs also suggest that they bestowed immortality.
Photos: Kurashiki University of Science and Arts.
Photos: Kurashiki University of Science and Arts.
(From La Jornada Maya)