Researchers from Peru’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine and Criminology studied remains found in the Nazca desert, a site some have linked to stories of alien mummies. The investigation revealed details that challenged those sensational claims. The team published findings showing that the so-called mummies contained materials and fragments of non-human origin, notably small animal parts. An imaging study demonstrated that the supposed head of an extraterrestrial figure matched the skull of a mammal, while some bones were identified as belonging to birds. In another sample, what looked like signs of pregnancy was later interpreted as a simple rock deposit rather than biological evidence.
An employee of the institute, Flavio Estrada Moreno, noted that several bone structures resembled the skull shapes often found in llama or alpaca remains from ancient Peruvian cemeteries. This observation supported the notion that the remains were humanly altered artefacts or bones associated with local cultural practices rather than alien life forms.
The researchers did not find any indications of extraterrestrial beings. However, the study pointed to violations of laws related to the handling of pre-Hispanic bone remains, which are considered museum artefacts. As a result, authorities opened a criminal case concerning the illegal export of these skeletal materials and related objects.
The Nazca investigation occurred alongside a broader public discourse. In November, a session of discussions in the Mexican Parliament engaged scientists who described the Peruvian remains as real objects rather than mythical corpses. The exchange underscored the ongoing tension between sensational narratives and careful scientific examination in public debates about ancient relics.
In another thread of public commentary, singer Katya Lel had stated that aliens may have played a role in averting nuclear catastrophe. While such claims attract attention, the forensic findings from Nazca emphasize a different reality: the importance of rigorous analysis and legal stewardship when handling cultural materials that reveal human history and technological knowledge from past civilizations.