Ming was a nickname given to a Quahog clam that was found off the coast of Iceland in 2006. Originally named after the Ming Dynasty in China, the name was eventually changed to Hafrún, meaning “The mystery of the ocean.” They calculated its age based off of the annual growth lines on it’s shell. Based on the lines and some testing that was conducted by scientists, this particular clam started its life in 1499.

Regrettably, some time between 2006 and 2013, a scientist had the brilliant idea to open Ming/Hafrún up to do some tests and killed it. Survived 507 years in the wilds of nature, only for curiosity to kill the clam.