The discovery of a rare mummified ancient Mongolian woman has been overshadowed by her 1,500-year-old footwear, which according to some resemble Adidas sneakers.
Russia Today reports:
Archaeologists unearthed the female’s remains on the Mongolian side of the Altai Mountains, more than 2,800 meters (9,186ft) above sea level.
Alongside the ice-preserved body, a number of artifacts including an iron kettle, pillows, cotton coats, and a sacrificed horse were found in what is believed to be an ancient Turkik burial site.
Researcher B Sukhbaatar told the Siberian Times that the grave is a “rare phenomenon”.
“It is the first complete Turkik burial at least in Mongolia – and probably in all Central Asia… These finds show us the beliefs and rituals of Turkiks,” he said.
Despite being a groundbreaking find, social media users have been busy wondering whether the woman was actually a time traveler with a penchant for sports footwear. Sounds plausible, right?
A 1,500-year-old mummy wearing Adidas sneakers? Time Travel? What? https://t.co/vwEuvcobyA
— Mark Cavitt (@MarkCavitt) April 13, 2016
A picture of the corpse’s feet released by a Mongolian museum sparked the bizarre Adidas theory, with three lines resembling the German sport brand’s logo seen on a pair of tattered traditional shoes.
“Didn’t know they had Adidas back then…,” commented one LiveLeak user, before people ran amuck with bizarre speculation online.
Must be a time traveler. I knew we would dig one up sooner or later:)
Mummy found ‘wearing Adidas’ https://t.co/ob4E7m85Nj via @newscomauHQ— Jenahra (@Jenahra) April 13, 2016
Time travel is possible (!)
Mummy found wearing Adidas boots.https://t.co/yWzfKADJK2— MikeC. (@mikesey1) April 13, 2016
The 1,500-year old mummy wearing ADIDAS boots https://t.co/GdIOiLEmkr
Did the Doctor lose one if his companions in the past?— Chelsea Sharland (@ChelseaSharland) April 11, 2016
Others weren’t so easily convinced, however…
Adidas shoes found on mummified remains….time travel? Conspiracy theories? Or just ultimate product placement? pic.twitter.com/y2XI8zf5fI
— Paul Henry (@PaulHenryShow) April 12, 2016
A mummy was found ‘wearing Adidas’ and people think it’s proof of time travel pic.twitter.com/yZ4gmo0WJr
— Ken Shabby (@MrKenShabby) April 13, 2016
Amid the silliness, archaeologists from the city of Khovd say they will unwrap the mummified remains to establish more details about the woman’s origins.