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Minnesota Iceman

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The 'Minnesota Iceman was the complete carcass of a hirsute male hominid, 1.8 m tall, preserved in ice and transported about the United States as part of a travelling exhibition belonging to Frank D. Hansen. At this time – late 1968 – the specimen was known as the ‘Siberskoye Creature’ (Niash, 2017). It was displayed at shopping malls, state fairs, and carnivals in the United States and Canada. A latex replacement would later be used during the early 1970s for fear of being prosecuted for murder and/or possession of a corpse. It is sometimes said to be evidence of Bigfoot or the Yeti are a far cry from the most remarkable piece of data associated with the so-called crypto-hominids (Niash, 2017). It would be promoted as the "missing link" between man and Neanderthals. It is believed that the original specimen was sold on eBay in 2013 and put on display in Austin, Texas. <ref= Naish, D. (2017d, January 2). The Strange Case of the Minnesota Iceman. Scientific American Blog Network. https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/tetrapod-zoology/the-strange-case-of-the-minnesota-iceman/>

Description

Two views of the Iceman: Frozen, and as described by Sanderson & Heuvelmans

It has been described as male, human-like, 6 ft (~1.8 m) tall, hairy, with large hands and feet, very dark brown hair about 3 - 4 inches (~9 cm) long, and a flattened nose. One of its arms appeared to be broken and one of its eyes appeared to have been knocked out of its socket, allegedly by a bullet that was said to have entered the creature's head from behind. Two cryptozoologist examined the Iceman in the late 1960s and found the specimen was once a living creature. Scientist would late examine the Iceman however, by that time the original had been replaced with a latex version due to fear of legal actions.<ref= Naish, D. (2017d, January 2). The Strange Case of the Minnesota Iceman. Scientific American Blog Network. https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/tetrapod-zoology/the-strange-case-of-the-minnesota-iceman/>

History

Promoter and exhibitor Frank Hansen stated the Minnesota Iceman was discovered in the region of Siberia and that he was acting as its caretaker for an absentee owner he described as an "eccentric California millionaire". Touring carnivals and fairs with the exhibit, Hansen was once reportedly detained by Canada Customs officials, who were concerned he was transporting a cadaver.[1]

The FBI was informed that the subject might potentially be a human murder victim, but the agency did not investigate, possibly due to many believing it was a hoax.[1]

Sanderson, then science editor for Argosy magazine, authored an article about the Iceman in the April 1969 issue that featured the headline, "Is this the missing link between man and the apes?" Sanderson also spoke about the Iceman in television appearances, and contacted primatologist John Napier, asking him to investigate it under the official auspices of Smithsonian Institution. Hansen subsequently withdrew the Minnesota Iceman from public inspection, saying the withdrawal was on orders from its California-based owner. Hansen later provided a new "Iceman" for exhibit, described by observers as a latex model that was clearly different from the original.[2]

Napier, in conjunction with the Smithsonian, made preliminary investigations of Hansen's affairs and said he found that Hansen had commissioned the creation of the Iceman from a West Coast company in 1967, leading Napier to quickly conclude there was only ever one Iceman latex model that he theorized was repositioned and refrozen between appearances. Napier stated that "The Smithsonian Institution…is satisfied that the creature is simply a carnival exhibit made of latex rubber and hair...the 'original' model and the present so-called 'substitute' are one and the same."[1]

2013 sale

In February 2013, the Minnesota Iceman was reportedly auctioned on eBay. The listing read: "This is the actual sideshow gaff billed as 'The Minnesota Iceman' by Frank Hansen in the 1960s. This is a one of a kind hoax that was fabricated by a mid-20th century showman."[3] It was purchased by Austin, Texas, "Museum of the Weird" owner Steve Busti, who has placed it on public display.[4]

The Minnesota Iceman was featured on season 4 episode 6 of the A&E series Shipping Wars[5] as well as season 12 episode 26 of the Travel Channel series Mysteries at the Museum. The story of the iceman was also featured in the 7th season premiere of the television show Unsolved Mysteries.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Daegling2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Michael McLeod (2009). Anatomy of a Beast: Obsession and Myth on the Trail of Bigfoot. University of California Press. pp. 118–. ISBN 978-0-520-25571-5. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  3. ^ Hill, Sharon A. "Step right up and see the Minnesota Iceman! SOLD!". doubtfulnews.com. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  4. ^ Hill, Sharon A. "Minnesota Iceman to go back on display (Update: Still hyped as real)". doubtfulnews.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  5. ^ "Crypto-Prank-ology, Season 4 Episode 6". A&E Network. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.

Further reading

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