The narrative unfolds with a reference to the discovery of a captivating archaeological artifact, a half-human, half-horse skeleton, in 1876 near Volos, Greece.
However, the intriguing twist in the tale is revealed as the text discloses that the “Centaur of Volos” is not an authentic relic from antiquity but a carefully crafted creation by Bill Willers, an artist and professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Bill Willers embarked on this imaginative endeavor in 1980, fashioning the skeletal remains of the mythical centaur using a blend of real human bones sourced from an anatomical specimen in India and bones from a diminutive Shetland pony.
To enhance the illusion of authenticity, the human and pony bones underwent a meticulous tea-staining process, ensuring a uniform coloration.
“The Centaur of Volos” embarked on a tour of several colleges during the 1980s, captivating audiences with its seemingly mythical origin. Eventually, in 1994, it found a permanent home at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, displayed in the Jack E. Reese Galleria at the Hodges Library.
The narrative takes a curious turn as it delves into a subsequent creation by Bill Willers in 2008, commissioned by Skulls Unlimited.
This time, another centaur skeleton, named “The Centaur of Tymfi,” made an appearance, utilizing zebra bones instead of horse bones. The exhibit graced the halls of Arizona’s International Wildlife Museum in 2012 before finding a new home at The Barnum Museum in Connecticut.
The underlying motive behind these fantastical creations is unveiled: they were conceived not as deceptive hoaxes but as thought-provoking exhibits designed to stimulate critical thinking among students.
Bill Willers aimed to challenge individuals to question the veracity of information, even when presented in a seemingly credible manner, echoing the spirit of showman P.T. Barnum.
The narrative concludes with a reflection on the enduring potential for misinformation in the present day.
The author posits that, even in contemporary times, the crafted images of the “Volos” exhibit, if posted on social media, could potentially mislead individuals, underscoring the timeless challenge of discerning fact from fiction.
