The mystery surrounding the so-called 'alien mummies' has deepened as two more corpses have been found.
The mysterious specimens came to global attention last September when veteran journalist and UFO researcher Jaime Maussan presented two alleged "alien" corpses to Mexico's Congress.
Since then, the debate has only intensified.
The so-called "Nazca mummies," named after the region in Peru where they were discovered, first captured international attention for their elongated skulls and three-fingered hands - features often associated with extraterrestrial life in science fiction.
Maussan, the journalist and UFO enthusiast who brought the mummies to light, maintains they are extraterrestrial.
However, many scientists and officials disagree. In January, Peruvian authorities dismissed the specimens as elaborate fakes.
“They are not extraterrestrials; they are not aliens,” said forensic archaeologist Flavio Estrada. Authorities claimed the mummies were made from paper, glue, metal, and bones from humans and animals.
Now, a former Colorado prosecutor, Joshua McDowell, has added a new dimension to the mystery.
According to the Daily Mail, McDowell recently examined one of the specimens, known as "Maria," with the help of three independent forensic medical examiners from the United States.
“These were not traditional human fingerprint patterns,” McDowell told the outlet, describing the findings as unusual but stopping short of definitive conclusions.
Recently, two additional mummies, nicknamed Paloma and Antonio, have surfaced, per the Daily Mail.
Discovered following the controversial 2017 findings by UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan, these new figures were studied by Dr. David Ruiz Vela, the former president of Peru's Medical Association.
Dr. Vela described Antonio as having suffered a fatal stab wound. “He has a stab that broke his ribs on the left side of his chest, penetrating the chest, abdomen, liver, and completely perforating him inside,” he explained.
Paloma, on the other hand, is unique among the mummies as the first discovered with hair.
Dr. Vela noted its “copper-colored characteristics” and estimated that the being lived for about 60 years.
The pair share similar features with the earlier finds, including their three-fingered hands, slanted eyes, and small stature - comparable to that of a short adult.
The mummies are believed to be around 1,500 years old, preserved through a combination of fossilization by algae and a highly toxic adhesive.
Researchers noted that the adhesive “does not match those of the time,” raising more questions about the preservation methods used.
María, the figure studied in earlier examinations, has also undergone further analysis. Imaging revealed similarities to human anatomy, but with distinct differences.
For example, María lacks hair and ears, possessing only ear canals. The team dated her remains to between 240 AD and 383 AD, aligning her existence with the ancient Nazca civilization.
The discoveries have left the scientific community divided. Dr. Vela and others suggest the mummies’ anatomical features and preservation techniques warrant further study, while critics argue the figures are elaborate hoaxes.
