"The age determination has significantly increased the possibility that the mummy is the sun-dried dragon referenced by the monk at Todai-ji temple."
"Researchers found that the marten dated back to the 11th or 12th centuries, indicating it was likely trapped inside the temple before being mummified."
Researchers have revealed that a mummified dragon, stored in Japan's Shosoin Treasure House for centuries, is actually a female Japanese marten. Discovered by 15th-century shogun Yoshinori Ashikaga, the skeleton was believed to resemble a dragon, leading to its legendary status. By employing x-ray technology and radiocarbon dating, scientists determined the specimen's age and origins, concluding that it likely died during renovations at the Todai-ji temple in the 11th or 12th centuries. Furthermore, it's suggested that the marten's missing forelegs contributed to the dragon-like appearance.
Read at New York Post
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