Expedition Team: Dave Miller
Date: 2021 & 2024
To see the famous Figi Mermaid, I stopped by the Clark County Historical Society & Museum in Springfield. In a glass case was the urban legend, a mummified relic that looked like half fish and half monkey woman. The mermaid was donated to the museum in 1906 by a Navy sailor who had purchased it in Japan. A couple years ago the figs mermaid was loaned to Northern Kentucky University’s radiology department as they used CT scans and X-rays to examine the creature to try to determine how it was constructed.
The results, the hands looked more amphibious like an alligator or lizard. Also, materials used to attach the specimen together were metal, wood and cotton.
The history of this urban legend scam first surfaced around 1820. A sea captain purchased the mermaid in Japan and was told it was found near the island of Figi. Oddly, many fake “mermaids” were sold in the far east by fishermen turning a good profit. The famous P.T. Barnum displayed an original Figi Mermaid in 1842 in New York City. The mermaid became a featured attraction at circus sideshows and carnivals. Photo#4 Shows a fake mermaid I saw in 2024 at the Uranus, Missouri side show.
