Edith Hejberg
When the mummies first made headlines in 2022, wild theories exploded online. Some insisted they were aliens.
In 2015, a grave digger in Peru uncovered several bizarre mummified bodies inside a cave, each with only three fingers and toes.
The peculiar find sent waves through the scientific and conspiracy theory communities alike. Were these ancient humans, evolutionary outliers, or something extraterrestrial?
Alien Theories Abound After First Reports
When the mummies first made headlines in 2022, wild theories exploded online. Some insisted they were aliens.
Others proposed a new species of human. Yet many scientists were quick to dismiss them as elaborate fakes. Debate intensified after journalist Jaime Maussan displayed the remains before Mexico’s Congress.
Close Examination Begins on Dozens of Mummies
Currently, around two dozen of these mummies are being studied by scientists. Researchers claim the remains include preserved organs, tissues, and even a pregnant specimen.
Jesse Michels, host of the podcast American Alchemy, visited the site himself and believes the evidence points to a terrestrial origin.
DNA Analysis Suggests Human Connection
Bioinformatics expert Alaina Hardie reviewed available DNA and found mutations linked to known human genetic conditions.
One gene, Gli3, is tied to polydactyly, a condition causing extra fingers or toes. This discovery challenges the idea of alien origins, instead suggesting a rare but natural human deformity.
Traces of Ancient Congenital Disorders Found
Further examples of unusual digit conditions exist in human history. Michels referenced tribes in Zimbabwe with ectrodactyly, also known as “Ostrich Foot Syndrome,” which leaves limbs with missing central digits.
These patterns may explain the three-fingered appearance without invoking alien biology.
Scientists Say DNA Is Mostly Human
Despite some degraded samples, geneticists recovered enough material to compare the DNA with known species.
Most sequences matched human profiles. One headless mummy, nicknamed “Victoria,” was conclusively identified as human. Only a small portion of the genetic material appeared unusual or unclassified.
Hybrid Theories Emerge Amid Conflicting Results
Some experts haven’t ruled out the idea of hybrid origins. Dr. David Ruiz Vela suggested that one mummy, “Maria,” shows traits from multiple species.
He speculated that interbreeding between early human groups across Africa and Asia might explain the anomalies, dating back hundreds of thousands of years.
Calls for Independent Testing Grow
Michels hopes to involve Colossal Biosciences, a U.S. firm known for de-extinction projects, in further analysis.
However, Peru’s government must first approve access to the ancient DNA. Michels believes any refusal speaks volumes about the authorities’ stance on deeper investigation.
Hoax Claims Cloud Scientific Integrity
In 2023, controversy struck when another journalist, Manuel Caceres, was caught smuggling two fake “mummies” made from wood and animal bones.
Forensic tests confirmed they were assembled using modern adhesives. Experts said the figures were tourist trinkets, not ancient beings, dealing a blow to earlier credibility.
Verdict: Fascinating, But Not Extraterrestrial
While the initial discovery stirred imaginations worldwide, most credible scientists now believe the mummies are either rare humans or cleverly constructed hoaxes.
As further DNA work continues, the dream of alien origins seems to be fading, but the mystery still captivates many.
