May 29, 2026 07:34 AM
Scientists are baffled after new DNA tests on Peru's ancient 'conehead' mummies failed to rule out alien origins, fuelling wild extraterrestrial theories
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-n...a-37218002
EXCERPTS: The mystery of Peru's infamous "conehead" mummies has taken a wild turn after fresh DNA testing failed to explain their true origins - raising the possibility of an extraterrestrial connection. Boffins from Liberty University in Virginia launched a high-tech probe into the elongated Paracas skulls, a bizarre collection of more than 300 remains dug up by archaeologists back in the 1920s.
While historical consensus says the distorted shapes were caused by ancient humans binding babies' heads between 800 BC and 100 BC, those theories were mostly based on visual checks. After a string of previous genetic tests hit a brick wall, researchers have now tried drilling into the mummies' teeth to extract a powdery residue in hopes of mapping their genetic code.
The inconclusive results mean sci-fi fanatics are still convinced the remains belong to cosmic visitors with non-human DNA. Researcher Abigail McDowell explained the deep divide over the skulls' origins.
She said: "Some archaeologists and geneticists attributed the deformation to the cultural practice of cranial binding, which uses pressure to morph the skull – often a societal symbol of wealth or importance. Others believed the Conehead mummies were proof of extraterrestrial visitors, claiming the mummies were descendants from non-humanoid species or actual aliens themselves."
Astonishingly, even after raiding the dental records of multiple Paracas mummies, scientists admit they still don't have enough genetic data to completely debunk the alien theory. The research team targeted the teeth because they act like ancient, armoured "safes" for DNA, resisting rot over thousands of years.
[...] Scientists believe the DNA has simply degraded too much over the years, but they refuse to give up. Their next experiment involves a process called demineralisation to dissolve the bone and hunt for better quality DNA, which they will then match against hair samples taken from the mummies... (MORE - missing details)
https://youtu.be/BxMSX6K8nxA
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/BxMSX6K8nxA
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-n...a-37218002
EXCERPTS: The mystery of Peru's infamous "conehead" mummies has taken a wild turn after fresh DNA testing failed to explain their true origins - raising the possibility of an extraterrestrial connection. Boffins from Liberty University in Virginia launched a high-tech probe into the elongated Paracas skulls, a bizarre collection of more than 300 remains dug up by archaeologists back in the 1920s.
While historical consensus says the distorted shapes were caused by ancient humans binding babies' heads between 800 BC and 100 BC, those theories were mostly based on visual checks. After a string of previous genetic tests hit a brick wall, researchers have now tried drilling into the mummies' teeth to extract a powdery residue in hopes of mapping their genetic code.
The inconclusive results mean sci-fi fanatics are still convinced the remains belong to cosmic visitors with non-human DNA. Researcher Abigail McDowell explained the deep divide over the skulls' origins.
She said: "Some archaeologists and geneticists attributed the deformation to the cultural practice of cranial binding, which uses pressure to morph the skull – often a societal symbol of wealth or importance. Others believed the Conehead mummies were proof of extraterrestrial visitors, claiming the mummies were descendants from non-humanoid species or actual aliens themselves."
Astonishingly, even after raiding the dental records of multiple Paracas mummies, scientists admit they still don't have enough genetic data to completely debunk the alien theory. The research team targeted the teeth because they act like ancient, armoured "safes" for DNA, resisting rot over thousands of years.
[...] Scientists believe the DNA has simply degraded too much over the years, but they refuse to give up. Their next experiment involves a process called demineralisation to dissolve the bone and hunt for better quality DNA, which they will then match against hair samples taken from the mummies... (MORE - missing details)
https://youtu.be/BxMSX6K8nxA