What are they?
The Nazca Mummies are a collection of ancient bodies discovered in the Nazca region of Peru. Unearthed in a series of underground tunnels in 2015, these mummies were found near the Nazca Lines, famous for their geoglyphs.
How were they discovered?
In 2015, a Peruvian huaquero (grave robber) discovered three mummies ranging from 40cm to 61cm in length while searching through caves near the Nazca Lines. The grave robber, who happened to be friends with a doctor at the University of Inka in Lima, Peru, sold the specimens to the doctor for research purposes.
How old are they?
Carbon-14 dating has been performed on multiple specimens. While the age varies among the samples, the results generally indicate a range between 750 CE and 1,300 CE.
Why are they covered in white powder?
The bodies are covered in a white powder because they were buried in diatomaceous earth. This natural, powdery substance is known for its moisture-absorbing qualities, which helped preserve the mummies by drawing moisture away from the bodies and creating a dry environment that inhibits decay and bacterial growth.
Is Jaime Maussan a hoaxer?
Jaime Maussan, a Mexican journalist and ufologist known for hosting the TV show "Tercer Milenio," has a polarizing reputation within the paranormal community. While he commands a dedicated following, critics have accused him of promoting unverified and occasionally debunked stories. However, despite instances where material he showcased was later identified as hoaxes or misinterpretations, there is no evidence to suggest that Maussan is a hoaxer who deliberately fabricates stories. His interest appears to lie in exploring and presenting anomalous phenomena to his audience, as exemplified by his involvement in the Nazca Mummies case starting in 2017, two years after their initial discovery.
Are they glued together animal bones?
Multiple intact bodies have been subjected to X-ray, CT scan, and fluoroscopy imaging. The results consistently demonstrate that the skeletal structures are complete and undamaged, without any evidence of dissection or reassembly. Once a bone has been severed, it is not possible to reconstruct it into a cohesive form without leaving clear indications of the alterations, which would be readily apparent in the imaging studies.
Where did the fake bodies debunk story originate?
In 2018, Paul Ronceros, also known as "Krawix," provided counterfeit specimens to the Ministry of Culture of Peru, acknowledging that the objects had been altered. A research team headed by Flavio Estrada analyzed these specimens and concluded that they were fabricated using "adhesive, animal bones, and various other materials." The findings were then sensationalized by an individual named "Luca McLovin," who claimed affiliation with the "Sociedad Secular Humanista de Peru." McLovin wrote the initial articles disseminating Estrada's analysis and criticizing Jaime Maussan and others associated with the authentic specimens. These articles were subsequently discovered by Alexander Sokolov, editor of "Anthropogenz.ru," who created a well-known debunking video on his YouTube channel, "Scientists Against Myths." The information presented in this video has been widely cited as evidence that the specimens were fabricated. However, it is important to note that the counterfeit specimens analyzed in these studies were distinct from the authentic specimens, and the conclusions drawn from the analysis of the counterfeit specimens do not necessarily apply to the authentic specimens.
How can you be sure Peru studied the wrong bodies?
During a lawsuit launched back in 2023 against the Cultural Ministry of Peru, Flavio Estrada was forced to testify and was left no other choice but to admit he had never seen, interacted with, nor performed any sort of analysis on the real bodies. This lawsuit has been expanded to now be upwards of $300m against Peru and their Ministry of Culture, for defamation against the scientists from Maussan's team and Maussan himself. This includes the participation of the current head of the Ministry of Culture, Leslie Urteaga, whose action allowed the global proliferation of the slander against the real bodies and the scientists studying them. This is further worsened by their admission to have omitted the fact that the person who brought the objects to them, had stated that those were artisanal objects. The $300m from the lawsuit will be used to fund the construction of a museum in the Palpa and Nazca regions in benefit of the people of Peru and all of humanity, as requested by the plaintiff, Jaime Maussan.