How Was the Fiji Mermaid Made? The Fiji Mermaid was typically a "mermaid" made by attaching the torso and head of a small monkey or similar primate to the tail of a fish. Artisans would sew or glue the parts together, mummify them with chemicals or drying techniques, and sometimes paint or enhance features for dramatic effect. This type of crea

The Rise of Curiosity and Sideshow Culture The 19th century witnessed a surge in curiosity exhibitions, natural history museums, and traveling sideshows featuring oddities, exotic animals, and human curiosities. Public interest in natural sciences, exploration, and the unknown fueled the popularity of such displays. Exhibits ranged from preserv

Introduction The Fiji Mermaid is one of the most famous curiosities of the 19th century, a captivating and enigmatic artifact that blurred the lines between myth and reality. Known today as a sensational hoax, the Fiji Mermaid fascinated audiences in Victorian England and America, becoming a key exhibit in the burgeoning world of sideshows and mus

Theory 1: The Royal Palaces of Alexandria Some scholars argue Cleopatra was buried near her royal palaces in Alexandria’s ancient royal quarter, now underwater. This fits with Ptolemaic burial traditions but remains unconfirmed. Theory 2: The Temple of Taposiris Magna Archaeologists working at Taposiris suggest Cleopatra may have chosen this t