In December 2023, an international team of archaeologists stunned scientists and the public by announcing a surprising discovery off the coast of Egypt, near the Mediterranean. During an excavation in search of historical remains, they found a mummy with an unusual shape: the upper half of the body looked human, while the lower half had a structure similar to a fish tail. This discovery has sparked an intense debate about the possible existence of mermaids in human history.
The mummy was discovered inside a stone sarcophagus buried under the sand on the coast. According to archaeologists, the sarcophagus is approximately 2,500 years old, belonging to the ancient Egyptian period. On its surface, engravings and hieroglyphs were observed that described a hybrid creature between human and fish, known in ancient texts as “Nungu”, which means “Man-Fish of the Sea”.
Upon opening the sarcophagus, researchers were amazed to find a surprisingly well-preserved mummy. The upper half of the body showed human characteristics, with ribs, arms, and a skull similar to those of a human being. However, the lower half had a structure that imitated a fish tail, with scales and a fin that measured approximately 1.5 meters long.
Based on preliminary analyses, experts determined that the scales and skin on the underside contained chemical compounds unknown in any known species. Furthermore, the DNA extracted from the mummy does not completely match that of humans or any marine species recorded in the Mediterranean, increasing the mystery about its origin.
Gold jewelry and decorative objects related to the sea were also found in the sarcophagus, suggesting that this creature may have been worshiped as a deity or sacred symbol linked to the oceans.
Ancient civilizations, including Egypt, Greece and Mesopotamia, have told stories about hybrid sea creatures like mermaids. This finding reinforces the theory that these legends could not be simple myths, but rather be based on real events or unknown creatures.
Some historians suggest that the mummy could belong to an extinct species or a different evolutionary branch of humans, adapted to living in aquatic environments.
Not all experts are convinced that this mummy is evidence of the existence of mermaids. Some scientists believe it could be an elaborate creation of the ancient Egyptians, combining human bones with animal parts for ritual or religious purposes.
Another hypothesis posits that the mummy’s shape could have been deformed due to mummification processes and time pressure, creating a mermaid-like appearance.
Further analysis is currently being carried out at an international laboratory to determine the exact origin of this mummy and its composition. Researchers hope that genetic and chemical studies will shed more light on this enigma and its possible meaning in ancient Egyptian culture.
Regardless of the outcome, this find has already opened a new chapter in the study of the mythology, history and biodiversity of our planet’s past.
