Mystery of Peru's 'alien' mummies 'solved' as scientists debate DNA bombshell

A bizarre discovery in Peru has intrigued scientists and conspiracy theorists since 2015, when a grave digger unearthed a series of mummified bodies inside a cave.

The remains, notable for having only three fingers and three toes, immediately set off wild speculation. Some insisted they were aliens, others argued they could belong to a previously unknown human species, while many experts dismissed them as nothing more than an elaborate hoax, reports the Daily Mail.

Today, around two dozen of the bodies are undergoing detailed scientific examination. Researchers claim the mummies retain preserved tissue, muscles and organs - with one specimen believed to have been pregnant at the time of death.

Jesse Michels, podcast host of American Alchemy, recently visited the site and told the Daily Mail his findings put the extraterrestrial theory to rest.

"I found no evidence that they are not from Earth," he said, suggesting instead that the mummies might represent a long-lost subterranean species.

Genetic issue

Michels also revealed that a bioinformatics expert examined the publicly available DNA and discovered a genetic mutation linked to a congenital condition that causes digit deformities in humans - offering a possible natural explanation for their unusual anatomy.

Bioinformatics specialist Alaina Hardie explained she originally set out to "falsify the hypothesis" that a mutation could explain such anomalies.

"I found a list of 50 genes involved in the pathway," Hardie said. "There is a mutation in one of those genes, called Gli3, that is associated with polydactyly."

Polydactyly - the presence of extra digits - has previously been identified in archaeological remains in Peru, suggesting the condition was known in ancient times.

Genetic analysis has shown that DNA samples from the mummies mostly align with human genetic profiles, despite the contamination and difficulties typically encountered with ancient remains.

DNA sequencing

Scientists used advanced extraction techniques to recover genetic material from bone and muscle tissue, followed by genome sequencing and bioinformatics tools to reconstruct genetic profiles and pinpoint mutations.

Because of the degraded state of the samples, the team compared their findings against known terrestrial organisms and environmental DNA, filtering out false signals. While some fragments could not be immediately identified, further testing suggested these came from earthly sources or sample quality issues.

One of the tested specimens, nicknamed "Victoria," is a headless humanoid mummy whose DNA also confirmed human origins.

Michels pointed to a tribe in northern Zimbabwe affected by a congenital disorder called ectrodactyly, also known as "Ostrich Foot Syndrome." The condition results in missing central digits, producing a cleft or V-shaped gap in the hand or foot.

"There are these mutations rendered adaptive in certain environments and persist over time," Michels explained. "So it could be just that, which would be remarkable all on its own."

José Zace, chief of the Mexican Navy's medical division and part of the team examining the remains, reported that the larger bodies contain 70 per cent known DNA, while the remainder is "completely different."

Hybrids theory

Dr David Ruiz Vela, another lead expert, went further - suggesting the mummies could even be hybrids. He argued that one specimen, named "Maria," displayed mixed traits that may have emerged through natural migration and interbreeding between different primate or human species across Asia and Africa, dating anywhere between 250,000 and 2,500 years ago.

To probe further, Michels intends to bring in American genetic engineering firm Colossal Biosciences, best known for projects to resurrect extinct species such as the dire wolf.

"They need permission from the Peruvian government," Michels said. "If the government won't allow a top American biotech company to use their proprietary ancient DNA testing techniques on these mummies, then I don't know what else you need to understand their position on the subject."

The mummies first hit global headlines in 2022 when journalist Jaime Maussan presented several specimens before Mexico's Congress, claiming they were genuine. A group of doctors backed him, stating the bodies were once living beings. Some experts said they had studied five of the figures for more than four years.

But in 2023, the claims collapsed into controversy after another journalist was caught with two "mummies" that turned out to be dolls. Manuel Caceres had crafted wooden figures inspired by the remains to sell to tourists. They were seized at Lima airport and analysed in a lab.

Forensic archaeologist Flavio Estrada, who led the probe, insisted the extraterrestrial claims were "totally false."

"The conclusion is simple: they are dolls assembled with bones of animals from this planet, glued with modern synthetic adhesives," Estrada said. "Therefore, they were not assembled during pre-Hispanic times. They are not extraterrestrials; they are not aliens."