8 Foot Human Giant's Mummified Remains Purchased by the Smithsonian
An unlikely scenario is presented by the Smithsonian of the fraud of the giant mummified remains. First they sent their agents to view the mummy and then purchased it. It was only after it was shipped back to Washington D.C. that they disclosed that it was a fraud. How likely is it that two prospectors would have had the expertise to assemble a 'life like' mummy that would fool the Smithsonian experts? What was their motive? 
The Salt Lake Tribune., June 07, 1908
The San Diego Giant.
The mummy of the “tallest human giant who ever lived” was being shown by at the Atlantic exposition while., a number of these Smithsonian scientists were there. They asked
permission to examine It and when consent was given applied their tapes and found that It measured eight feet four Inches from crown to heel. The giant had been found in a cave near San Diego. Cal., by a party of prospectors, according to lo the exhibitor. Over the head were the remains of a leather hood which appeared to have been part of a shroud. Worn teeth were visible in the mouth and the outlines of the ribs were plainly seen through the skin. The elongated, emaciated body stood erect In a great, narrow coffin, ten feet long. The exhibitor agreed to sell it for $500 to the Smithsonian, which dispatched Mr. Lucas to the scene with, Prof. W. J. McKee. A piece of the giant’s dried skin was removed and when tested In the chemical laboratory of the Smithsonian was found to be gelatine. Professor McKee Is shown on the left of the giant, In the accompanying picture, and the exhibitor who was perfectly Innocent of the fraud, Is shown on Its right.
permission to examine It and when consent was given applied their tapes and found that It measured eight feet four Inches from crown to heel. The giant had been found in a cave near San Diego. Cal., by a party of prospectors, according to lo the exhibitor. Over the head were the remains of a leather hood which appeared to have been part of a shroud. Worn teeth were visible in the mouth and the outlines of the ribs were plainly seen through the skin. The elongated, emaciated body stood erect In a great, narrow coffin, ten feet long. The exhibitor agreed to sell it for $500 to the Smithsonian, which dispatched Mr. Lucas to the scene with, Prof. W. J. McKee. A piece of the giant’s dried skin was removed and when tested In the chemical laboratory of the Smithsonian was found to be gelatine. Professor McKee Is shown on the left of the giant, In the accompanying picture, and the exhibitor who was perfectly Innocent of the fraud, Is shown on Its right.
