Summary
Overview
This episode explores the tragic story of the Atacama skeleton, a tiny six-inch mummified remains discovered in Chile's Atacama Desert in 2003. Initially sensationalized as potential alien remains due to its unusual features, DNA testing revealed it was actually a stillborn baby girl with multiple genetic mutations. The episode examines the ethical violations surrounding the skeleton's excavation, study, and continued possession outside Chile.
Discovery of the Atacama Skeleton
In 2003, treasure hunter Oscar Munoz claimed to have found a mysterious six-inch skeleton in the abandoned mining town of La Noria in Chile's Atacama Desert. The skeleton had unusual features including a conically-shaped skull and only 10 pairs of ribs instead of the normal 12, leading UFO enthusiasts to speculate it might be alien remains. The Atacama Desert's extreme dryness and high solar radiation made it an ideal place for natural mummification, with desiccated flesh still attached to the tiny skeleton.
- The skeleton was discovered in La Noria, an abandoned nitrate mining town in Chile's Atacama Desert
- The skeleton measured only six inches (15 centimeters) in length with a conically-shaped skull
- It had only 10 pairs of ribs instead of the usual 12 pairs
- The Atacama Desert is one of the driest non-polar places on Earth, ideal for natural mummification
" It looks more like a non-human primate, maybe a shapeshifter. We don't know from what weird place this thing came from. "
The Perfect Preservation Environment
The Atacama Desert provided exceptional conditions for preserving the skeleton due to its extreme environment. Situated between the Chilean coastal mountain range and the Andes, the region experiences the highest solar radiation on Earth, minimal water, extreme daytime heat, and freezing nights. The ancient Chinchorro culture of the region also had traditions of intentional mummification, making preserved remains not uncommon in the area.
- La Noria was abandoned in the 1930s after saltpeter mining ceased
- The region has the highest solar radiation on Earth with extreme temperature variations
- The ancient Chinchorro culture practiced intentional mummification in this area
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