Story of 2018: Chile’s Mummy Mystery
One of 2018’s fascinating stories was the authentication of a 6-inch skeleton found in a deserted mining town in the Atacama Desert. La Noria, Chile was a nitrate enriched mining town located in the northern part of Chile. It is virtually inaccessible today. In 2003, the skeletal remains were found. Nicknamed “Ata,” the remains were deemed deformed, leading some to quickly claim it was extraterrestrial. DNA testing proved otherwise.
Ata’s discovery ignited debate on whether she was an alien mummy. The producers for the documentary Sirius (2013) agreed to having DNA testing completed. Further, they agreed to disclose the findings. The initial, yet questionable, DNA testing was completed prior to the movie’s premiere. A second test was completed with a better sample. The results were published in 2018. This supplied some answers—although more questions remain. Bottomline: Ata was humanoid.
The Atacama Humanoid was a stillborn fetus. If delivered, Ata would have been a female. Alien enthusiasts point toward Ata’s cone-shaped head and 10 pairs of ribs as proof of her being an alien. Ata’s head is elongated due to birthing. Remember, Ata died in the womb. This explains the 10 pairs of ribs, commonly thought to be indicative to deformity in a child. Here Ata’s ribs were still developing when she died. Finally, she died 40 years ago and is a modern-day mummy.
Much debate continues. However, scientists are not questioning whether Ata was human. The answer is very clear. What remains is whether Ata was genetically deformed. Reports claim that Ata was purchased by a Spanish collector. May she rest in peace.
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Super fascinating. It really does look like an alien. We just visited the Field Museum in Chicago that had a great section on both mummies and the different cultures who performed binding. I knew about the Chinese binding women’s feet, but I hadn’t realized other cultures bound other body parts –including heads. If this hadn’t have been a stillborn fetus I might assumed it was a baby who’s head had been bound. But first I would’ve thought alien for sure. As usual, another fantastic post!
I would love–absolutely love–to go visit this place. The cemetery has been looted, and some of the tombs are opened. Seems so sad, though.