Per 
Item #: SCP-139
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-139 is to be kept in a room at least six meters at its smallest dimension free of any windows, suspended at least two meters from the nearest inside surface of the room in a cage by a chain. No one is to enter this room under any circumstance or directly observe the skull. The room is never to be left without at least two armed guards at any moment.
Description: The object appears on the surface to be the poorly preserved skull of a hominid missing the lower jaw bone. Also of note is the extreme wear, especially to the eye sockets. Anthropological study has been conducted but has had no conclusive results on the species. Current study indicates it is most likely closely related to Neanderthals.
SCP-139's full effects are still somewhat unknown. It is a █ class memetic hazard causing large amounts of aggression in cases of prolonged exposure as well as fear upon sight or mention. It also causes a direct physical effect on the body giving anyone prolonged exposure supernatural durability and endurance. SCP-139 also is capable of instantaneous self transportation up to ███ kilometers via unknown means. After incident 139-0001 cameras and motion sensors have been installed and SCP-139 is to be monitored at all times. In case of breach MTF-139 "Alexander" is to be immediately deployed after SCP-139 is successfully located. Below is a general overview of the history of SCP-139.
When first discovered by ███████ ████████ (Who will now be referred to as Subject 1) on ██/██/19██, the skull was located in a small town just south of the Takht-e Jamshid (Throne of Jamshid). Takht-e Jamshid has been determined to be a modern Farsi name for Persepolis.1
At the time the skull was suspended in an iron and copper cage 15 meters in the air from a cliff using an iron chain. The chain was permanently attached to the cliff face via a fully enclosed loop of metal embedded in the cliff. A pulley was also present, however it was attached to a wall erected on the edge of the cliff. The pulley was used to lower food and water down towards the skull as offerings.
Subject 1 asked the people of Takht-e Jamshid about the skull they referred to it as the "Skull of the Div-e Sepid". In ancient Persian lore, Div-e Sepid is the chieftain of the Divs (demons) who is skilled in magic and has great physical strength. The Div-e Sepid in legend destroys the army of Kay Kavus2 by using his magic to create a storm of hail, boulders and tree trunks. He then blinds and imprisons Kay Kavus, his paladins and commanders. Afterwards he is defeated by Rostam.3Who takes Div-e Sepid's head as a trophy, often depicted wearing it on top of his head.
According to the townspeople, the skull had been brought to their town by a "mad man" who was claimed to have slain many men. He came from the north of the town in an attempt to kill the townspeople but was quickly subdued via unknown means. When they discovered the effects of the skull it was contained and put in its as of then current position. When asked why nobody would take it down and move it far away from the town most people said they were too scared to look at it, let alone touch it, then stating: "The spirit of the Div-e Sepid is trapped inside and whoever touched it would be possessed by the spirit."
Subject 1 ignored repeated warnings and took the skull down by striking the iron chain with a steel rock chisel. After retrieving the skull they returned to England, although Subject 1 was not in possession of the skull upon their return as it was confiscated by order of the Shah in ██████, Iran. Upon return Subject 1 became extremely aggressive, slaughtering fifteen of their friends then killing ██ people before being presumed killed by several police officers. The body was later determined missing from the morgue. Subject 1 was found attempting to flee to ██████, Iran before being hanged to death for murder.
After the confiscation it was moved to the University of ██████. However no new research became of SCP-139 as everyone was extremely fearful of it. Students would regularly avoid walking by it and eventually, the staff locked it away on the top floor. Whispering is said to have been heard coming from SCP-139 shortly after. After a decade it disappeared from the University. It was presumed stolen by the University and they concluded not to pursue after who stole it, considering it too much trouble. At this point the artifact was presumed by The Foundation to be in Kazakhstan.
The artifact was located soon after in █████-█████, Mongolia. In possession of Subject 2. Subject 2 was said to have found the skull in the outskirts of town, in possession of a man who had moved from from Kazakhstan. A fight quickly broke out between the two for possession of SCP-139. Subject 2 quickly overpowered him and [REDACTED]. The man was found with his head "Crushed like a watermelon." Subject 2 immediately turned aggressive and killed ███ people before committing suicide with a sword. It is presumed Subject 2 commit suicide due to losing possession of SCP-139 as the artifact was never found in town. The only sign of it's existence being a crude drawing on the walls near Subject 2's corpse and untranslatable writing. SCP-076 was asked to translate but refused and turned violent when shown a photo of the writing. A similar attempt was made with SCP-073 but he went silent and refused to translate. Attempts from researchers are ongoing.
The artifact surfaced next in the Yukon in ██/██/19██, ██ kilometers from the Alaskan border. The entire community of ███████ ████████ (what is known today as ████████, Yukon) was found brutally murdered by multiple stab wounds. The corpses were found stacked in a large pile in the center of the chapel. On top of the pile of corpses was SCP-139, who or what put it there is unknown. Subject 3 was found deceased sitting on the alter with the same language written by Subject 2 carved into their chest.
After report of the town reached The Foundation a new task force was dispatched to retrieve SCP-139. SCP-139 was recovered by MTF-139 "Alexander". SCP-139 caused Agent ████ █████ to display symptoms and was (DATA EXPUNGED). There were █ casualties in the task force before successful containment. SCP 139 was then safely transported in a hermetically sealed transport vehicle from the town to Site-██. The town was checked thoroughly for any anomalies before the town was [DATA EXPUNGED]. All bodies were cremated and disposed of without incident. Neighboring communities were amnesticised accordingly.
Addendum:
Test Log:
Testing was carried out by head researcher ████ onsite in Site-██ under supervision of multiple armed guards and two senior researchers. Below is a description of each test.
Test 1:
D-class D-1391 was instructed to pick up the skull.
Result:
D-1391 refused to pick up skull citing extreme fear, despite having not been given prior knowledge of SCP-139. D-1391 was released from the test with no consequences.
Note:
Looks like maybe it was just eerie coincidence everyone who has touched this has turned violent. No way to rule that out with just one test though. Let's try again with force.
Test 2:
D-class D-1392 was instructed to pick up the skull or be subject to immediate termination.
Result:
D-1392 refused citing extreme fear, again without having any prior knowledge of SCP-139. Armed guard shot subject in the arm. Subject then complied and picked up the skull. Subject was monitored for approximately 1 hour while in possession of SCP-139 before he collapsed from exhaustion and blood loss. Medical staff examined D-1392 while they were unconscious and noted they had a very high pulse and were suffering from near-lethal amounts of fatigue and blood loss despite such a long period of time. Subject was given treatment and put under observation for 48 hours. No other anomalous behavior or physical features were identified. Subject was removed from further testing.
Note:
It would appear that the skull may actually have more properties than just inciting fear. Despite losing nearly all his blood he fully recovered. Not only that, he experienced such an extreme amount of exhaustion despite almost no exertion.
Test 3:
A third D-class was asked to pick up the skull or be subject to immediate termination.
Result:
D-1393 picked up the skull without hesitation. Subject was monitored for approximately 30 seconds before they put it on their head and immediately turned violent towards staff. Both senior researchers received lacerations to the neck via subjects nails which had grown significantly and developed a sharp point at the ends. Head researcher received minor lacerations to the face before both armed guards opened fire on the subject. One armed guard received a bite to the neck before pulling out his knife and slicing the subjects throat. Subject continued to struggle for ten minutes despite multiple bullet wounds and severe neck laceration. Subject expired and their body was immediately incinerated. The guard was given medical treatment and put under observation for 48 hours. No anomalous behavior or physical features were identified. Guard has been given leave from the tests as requested.
Note:
It looks like the skull does indeed turn certain people aggressive. Not only that, it seems it may pick and choose who it wants to turn hostile. More testing on the potential memetic attraction effect is needed.
Test 4:
Three D-class, D-1394, D-1395 and D-1396; were introduced to the skull and told not to pick up the skull under pretense of a social experiment. Subjects told it was an invaluable specimen of a Neanderthal and would fetch a large sum of cash.
Result:
Two of the D-class, D-1395 and D-1396 immediately began fighting over possession of the skull as D-1394 banged on the door and begged for release. In just under 10 seconds D-1396 was successful in murdering D-1395 via blunt force trauma to the skull and taking possession of SCP-139. Subject then immediately turned his aggression towards D-1394. Tear gas was administered through the entire room via the vents. D-1394 curled up in pain and was quickly killed by D-1396 via neck laceration. Both armed guards were dispatched and successfully restrained and anesthetized D-1396. Subject taken into maximum security cell and restrained via steel shackles to the wall for further testing.
Note:
Thankfully we only lost D-class in the struggle. Finally, we can test just what this thing does to people.
Test 5:
D-1396 was given varying medical tests carried by a guarded Foundation doctor as well as given various drugs to test the effects.
Result:
Subject was shown to have heightened senses, durability, reflexes, healing and grew larger canines and nails over the course of testing. None of the drugs had any effect other than the amnestics. Subject was given further tests and appeared to return to normal. Subject placed under 72 hour monitoring before release. No anomalies were detected.
Note:
Well looks like we found a counter measure. I'd say we succeeded in not only determining the skull's effects, but how to counter it. Testing is concluded.
Incident report 139-1396:
On January █, 19██ D-1396 turned hostile and began injuring and murdering staff with a bush machete. There were ██ staff casualties and █ D-class casualties including D-1391. MTF-139 "Alexander" was dispatched and suffered casualties of all but one member. after ███ hours of D-1396 rampaging he was terminated via full incineration. By order of the 05 no further testing is allowed. Head researcher ████ has been suspended for the time being.
