Examination shows 'Mummy' not human being, doctors say

Examination shows 'Mummy' not human being, doctors say

JAKARTA (JP): Jenglot, a 15-centimeter "mummy" that has
stirred public curiosity this past week, was not a human being,
doctors at the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital pronounced
yesterday.

Jenglot's body and skull bore little resemblance to human
bones, radiologist Muhammad Ilyas said, discussing an X-ray
examination result.

"It is impossible for a living creature to live without bones
that suspend the flesh," he told reporters.

"Our external examination determined that the mummy is not
made of flesh. It only looks like flesh.

"The hard parts are found at the nails and the teeth, but I
don't see the bones that framed the arms and legs, I only see a
solid pole in the middle of the body."

Doctors at the hospital were planning further laboratory tests
on samples of skin and hair which were taken from the mummy
before making their final conclusion as to what it was, Budi
Sampurna, the head of the hospital's forensic department, said.

Jenglot is one of four mummies currently on display at Plaza
Sentra Buana in Central Jakarta. The others are named Betoro
Katon, Begawan Kapiwiro, and Begawan Kapawiro.

Their owner, businessman Hendra Hartanto, said they were 3,000
years old.

They were found by psychics in Ngliyep, East Java, in 1972,
and later given to Hendra.

Doctors said an autopsy would unveil the mystery surrounding
Jenglot, but Hendra refused, saying that the creature was his
good luck charm.

"I cannot guarantee if he (Jenglot) would approve of such an
operation on him," said Hendra, who had said that Jenglot's
spirit was still alive.

He refused to let doctors take samples of skin and hair for
the laboratory test and insisted that he did it himself,
witnessed by the doctors.

The hospital yesterday performed two of three examinations
planned on the creature: an external examination, and an x-ray
and CT-Scan. The third test, a laboratory test, will be done in
about three weeks.

Doctors said they would, if necessary, also conduct a DNA
test. (04)