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)