Atacama skeleton
The Atacama skeleton, known as Ata, comprises the naturally mummified remains of a human female fetus discovered in 2003 in La Noria, an abandoned nitrate-mining town in Chile's Atacama Desert.[1] Measuring approximately 15 centimeters in length, it exhibits pronounced skeletal anomalies, including a turricephalic (cone-shaped) cranium, ten pairs of ribs instead of the typical twelve, elongated limbs, and accelerated bone ossification inconsistent with its overall size.[1][2] These features initially led to unsubstantiated claims of extraterrestrial origin promoted by ufologists, but whole-genome sequencing established its unequivocally human nature, with ancestry tracing to Andean Native American populations admixed with European and East Asian components.[1][2] The analysis identified novel homozygous mutations in at least seven genes—such as COL1A1, COL2A1, FLNB, and PCNT—implicated in multiple forms of skeletal dysplasia, including those causing dwarfism, scoliosis, and craniofacial malformations, likely compounded by prenatal exposure to environmental toxins like nitrates prevalent in the region.[1] Estimated to represent a preterm infant who perished shortly after birth around 40 years prior to discovery, Ata's case underscores the complexity of rare genetic disorders and the pitfalls of speculative interpretations absent empirical genetic evidence.[1][2] While some anthropologists have questioned the sufficiency of the identified mutations to account for all morphological traits, the genomic data definitively refute non-human hypotheses and highlight opportunities for advancing understanding of bone development pathologies.[1][3]Discovery and Provenance
Initial Finding
The Atacama skeleton, known as Ata, consists of the mummified remains of a humanoid approximately 15 cm (6 inches) in length, discovered in 2003 in the abandoned nitrate mining town of La Noria in Chile's Atacama Desert.[1] Accounts of the precise circumstances of the find vary, with some reports indicating it was uncovered wrapped in white cloth secured by a violet ribbon, while others describe it enclosed in a leather pouch located behind or within an abandoned church.[4][2][5] The discovery was made by a local individual, possibly a treasure hunter or resident scavenging for valuables in the deserted settlement, amid the arid conditions that facilitated natural mummification.[6][7] These inconsistencies in provenance highlight challenges in tracing the artifact's early history, as documented in forensic reviews, though the 2003 date and La Noria location remain consistently reported across scientific analyses.[5]Chain of Custody and Early Handling
The Atacama skeleton, commonly referred to as Ata, was discovered in 2003 by Chilean local Óscar Muñoz, who was searching for artifacts in the abandoned nitrate mining ghost town of La Noria in Chile's Atacama Desert.[4][8] Muñoz reportedly found the mummified remains wrapped in white cloth tied with a violet ribbon, or alternatively in a leather pouch, on a shelf or near an abandoned church in the area.[4][5] Muñoz sold the specimen shortly after discovery for approximately 30,000 Chilean pesos (equivalent to about 40 euros at the time), citing its unusual appearance as a factor in the transaction; accounts vary on whether the buyer was a local pub owner or another intermediary, but it changed hands at least once more within Chile.[9][10] The rapid sales reflect informal handling typical of artifact trading in remote regions, with limited documentation of provenance or legal export permissions.[5] The skeleton was subsequently acquired by Ramón Navia-Osorio, a Spanish businessman and private collector, who transported it to Spain without apparent authorization from Chilean authorities.[8][11] This export has raised questions about legality, as Chilean officials later alleged illegal exhumation and smuggling, noting the absence of permits and the specimen's status as potential cultural patrimony.[12][9] Navia-Osorio has retained ownership since, providing samples for scientific analysis while the full remains remain in his possession in Spain.[13] The opaque chain of custody has complicated subsequent research, underscoring challenges in verifying origins for informally acquired biological specimens.[11][5]Physical Description and Anomalies
Morphological Features
The Atacama skeleton, commonly referred to as Ata, consists of mummified remains measuring approximately 15 cm (6 inches) in length, comparable to the size of a human fetus or preterm infant.[1] Its overall structure exhibits disproportionately mature bone development relative to its stature, with radiographic evidence suggesting bone age equivalent to that of a 6- to 8-year-old child despite the diminutive size.[14] The skull is notably elongated and cone-shaped, featuring an angular profile with irregularly shaped, sunken, and slanted eye sockets resembling a lemon in form.[14] [1] The cranium displays accelerated ossification and deformities consistent with skeletal dysplasia, including a flattened appearance in profile views.[2] The facial region shows underdevelopment, with a small jaw and prominent orbital cavities.[15] The torso includes only 10 pairs of ribs (20 total) rather than the typical 12 pairs (24 total) observed in humans, as confirmed by X-ray imaging.[1] [4] Limb bones appear elongated relative to the body size, contributing to an atypical humanoid proportion, though specific phalangeal anomalies such as fusion or reduction are noted in forensic examinations without altering digit count.[14] The pelvis and lower extremities exhibit dysplastic features, including irregular fusion patterns.[1] These morphological traits, while anomalous, align with severe congenital disorders rather than non-human origins, as substantiated by multiple forensic and radiographic studies.[2] [14] Some researchers argue the skeleton represents a normal preterm infant with environmental influences exaggerating features, but the reduced rib count and cranial elongation remain objectively verified deviations.[16]Skeletal Abnormalities
The Atacama skeleton, measuring approximately 108 mm in length, displays several morphological features atypical for a human fetus at term. Its cranium is notably elongated and cone-shaped, with enlarged orbital cavities and a prominent sagittal keel, deviating from standard fetal proportions.[1] Radiographic examination further revealed fusion of the metopic suture and partial ossification of carpal bones, suggesting accelerated bone development inconsistent with typical gestational timelines.[1] The rib cage consists of only 10 pairs of ribs per side, fewer than the usual 12 in humans, accompanied by asymmetrical positioning and reduced thoracic volume.[1] The pelvis exhibits dysplastic traits, including flattened iliac wings, narrow sciatic notches, and an overall immature morphology with unfused pubic symphysis, which contrasts with expected development for a fetus of estimated 38-40 weeks gestation.[1] Limb bones, such as the femora, appear short and bowed, with unusual distal tibial fusion.[1] The hands and feet each contain 11 phalanges rather than the standard 14, indicating possible agenesis or fusion anomalies.[1] These skeletal characteristics were interpreted by initial forensic analysts as evidence of severe dysplasias, potentially linked to genetic mutations affecting bone growth and ossification.[1] Critiques from bioarchaeological experts, however, contend that features like cranial elongation and variations in rib count fall within normal developmental variation for a preterm infant around 30 weeks gestation, exacerbated by postmortem mummification in the arid Atacama environment, rather than signifying pathological dysplasia.[16] [17] They argue that radiographic interpretations of "accelerated" ossification overlook standard fetal atlases showing similar traits in non-pathological cases, emphasizing the need for contextual gestational age reassessment.[16]Initial Speculations and Media Attention
UFO and Paranormal Claims
The Atacama skeleton's discovery in 2003 elicited immediate speculation within UFO and paranormal circles regarding its extraterrestrial origins, attributed to morphological anomalies including a length of approximately 15 cm, an elongated cranium, enlarged eye sockets, and only 10 pairs of ribs rather than the typical 12.[4][12] These features were interpreted by proponents as incompatible with known human developmental pathologies, suggesting instead a non-terrestrial humanoid entity.[1] In the 2013 documentary Sirius, ufologist Steven Greer presented the skeleton as evidence of alien life, hypothesizing it as a preserved specimen of an extraterrestrial humanoid potentially thousands of years old. Greer explicitly rejected classifications of it as a deformed human, emphasizing radiographic evidence of advanced bone fusion and phalangeal development atypical for a fetus.[18][19][5] Jaime Maussan, a prominent UFO investigator who acquired and studied the remains, advanced claims in 2023 that the skeleton represented an extinct species of diminutive, cave-dwelling terrestrial humanoids that coexisted with Chile's Aymara people before Spanish colonization. Drawing on indigenous oral traditions relayed by an Aymara associate, Maussan cited physical traits such as absent patellae, triangular clavicles, elongated digits, and hardened foot calluses as indicators of ambulatory capability rather than embryonic status.[20] These assertions, disseminated via media appearances, persisted despite contradictory forensic data, reflecting ongoing fringe interpretations unaligned with empirical genetic findings.Popularization in Documentaries
The Atacama skeleton, informally named Ata, was prominently featured in the 2013 documentary Sirius, directed by Steven Greer, which posited it as evidence of extraterrestrial life or advanced alien technology.[5] The film included preliminary DNA testing that Greer interpreted as anomalous, suggesting non-human origins despite initial sequencing indicating human genetic material, thereby amplifying speculation in UFO communities.[21] Released on April 22, 2013, Sirius portrayed Ata's elongated skull, small stature (approximately 15 cm in length), and other morphological anomalies as incompatible with known human developmental pathologies, drawing parallels to alleged ancient alien visitations.[22] This presentation in Sirius spurred public interest and media coverage, with the skeleton depicted as a mummified humanoid potentially thousands of years old, though subsequent radiocarbon dating placed its death around 40 years prior to discovery in 2003.[7] Greer's narrative emphasized unverified claims of hybrid biology, influencing online discussions and ufology events, but overlooked early forensic indicators of human infancy and genetic disorders.[23] Scientific consultations initiated during the film's production, including by Stanford pathologist Garry Nolan, provided initial radiographs revealing human-like bone structures, yet the documentary prioritized sensational interpretations over emerging empirical data.[5] Post-Sirius exposure, Ata's image circulated in subsequent UFO-themed media, but no other major documentaries replicated its central role in promoting non-human hypotheses; instead, follow-up analyses in peer-reviewed studies affirmed Ata as a human female with multiple congenital mutations, such as those affecting bone development and dwarfism.[12][5] The film's claims, lacking rigorous peer validation at release, exemplified how unconfirmed anomalies can propagate via visual media, contrasting with causal explanations rooted in documented human genetic variations observed in isolated populations.[24]Scientific Analyses
Forensic Examinations
Forensic examinations of the Atacama skeleton, informally known as Ata, were initiated in 2012 by a team led by immunologist Garry Nolan at Stanford University, utilizing high-resolution photography, X-ray radiography, and computed tomography (CT) scans to assess authenticity and morphological features. These analyses confirmed the specimen consisted of genuine osseous tissue exhibiting arterial shadows and joint structures typical of human bones, ruling out fabrication or hoax construction. The examinations identified several anomalies, including an apparent count of only ten pairs of ribs rather than the typical twelve in humans, elongated cranial proportions, and irregularities in the phalanges of the hands and feet, such as fused or absent bones.[1][25][26] Bone age estimation from the radiographs suggested developmental maturation inconsistent with the specimen's overall size, prompting initial hypotheses of accelerated aging conditions like progeria, though this was not substantiated by subsequent genetic data. The crown-to-heel length of approximately 15 cm was used to estimate a gestational age of around 15 weeks, aligning with a preterm human fetus rather than a mature infant or non-human entity. No evidence of trauma, perimortem injury, or pathological fractures was reported, with mummification attributed to the hyper-arid Atacama Desert environment facilitating natural desiccation without soft tissue preservation.[1][16] Subsequent forensic anthropological reviews, published in 2018, challenged the interpretation of these radiographic findings as indicative of dysplasia or novel syndromes, asserting that the observed features—such as cranial elongation and rib variation—fall within normal ranges for preterm fetal skeletons subjected to taphonomic distortion and environmental exposure. Experts emphasized that standard bioarchaeological protocols, including consultation with physical anthropologists prior to advanced testing, could have clarified these traits without invoking rare pathologies, highlighting methodological gaps in the initial examinations.[16][5] ![Atacama skeleton skull profile view][float-right] These evaluations collectively affirmed Ata's classification as a human fetal skeleton, with anomalies better explained by intrauterine growth constraints and post-mortem alterations than extraterrestrial origins or undocumented diseases, though debates persist over the necessity and ethics of invasive sampling for such determinations.[16][5]Radiographic and Histological Studies
In 2012, Stanford University immunologist Garry Nolan conducted radiographic examinations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, on the Atacama skeleton (Ata) to assess its authenticity and structural features.[25] These imaging techniques revealed genuine human bone tissue, evidenced by arterial shadows and natural ossification patterns, refuting claims of a hoax or artificial assembly.[25] Specific anomalies included a severely misshapen, elongated cranium and only 10 pairs of ribs rather than the typical 12 in humans.[25] [1] The epiphyseal plates displayed density and development consistent with a child aged 6 to 8 years, despite the skeleton's overall length approximating that of a 22-week fetus, indicating accelerated bone maturation.[25] [1] CT scans further corroborated the human skeletal architecture, including phalangeal structures with human-like epiphyses.[25] In preparation for genetic analysis published in 2018, additional X-ray scans identified dysmorphic features in the ribs and right humerus, facilitating targeted bone marrow extraction for DNA sequencing.[1] These radiographs confirmed skeletal dysplasias but aligned with human developmental variants rather than non-human origins.[1] Histological examinations of bone tissue were not extensively detailed in primary analyses, though microscopic evaluation of marrow samples supported DNA yield consistent with modern human bone microstructure.[25] No peer-reviewed reports identified non-human cellular or tissue compositions, reinforcing the radiographic evidence of human provenance.[1]Genetic and Pathological Findings
Whole-Genome Sequencing Results
DNA was extracted from the bone marrow of a rib bone from the Atacama skeleton (Ata) and subjected to whole-genome sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq platform, generating 377,333,714 paired-end reads of 101 base pairs each. This yielded an average genome coverage of 11.5×, with 89.77% of reads uniquely mapping to the human reference genome (hs37d5). Alignment rates were substantially higher to the human genome (97%) compared to chimpanzee (88.01%) or rhesus macaque (64.79%) references, unequivocally confirming Ata's origin as Homo sapiens.[1] Sequencing quality was high, showing minimal DNA damage (evidenced by a twofold increase in C→T and G→A transitions at read ends) and negligible contamination, with mitochondrial DNA analysis yielding a heterozygosity rate near zero and an authenticity probability of approximately 1.00. Variant detection via the GATK suite identified 3,356,569 single nucleotide variants (SNVs), 518,365 insertions/deletions (indels), and 6,401 structural variations, aligning with expectations for a diploid human genome. Sex was determined as female based on low Y-chromosome alignment (ratio R_Y = 0.0018) and absence of reads mapping to the SRY gene.[1] The raw sequencing data were deposited in the NCBI Sequence Read Archive under accession SRP083100, enabling independent verification. These results, reported by a team including researchers from Stanford University and UC San Francisco, provided the foundational genomic dataset for subsequent analyses of Ata's pathology and ancestry.[1]Identified Mutations and Conditions
Whole-genome sequencing of the Atacama skeleton, reported by Bhattacharya et al. in 2018, revealed multiple genetic variants in genes associated with skeletal and developmental disorders. The analysis identified novel single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and other alterations that the authors linked to the specimen's phenotype, including dwarfism-like stature, cranial asymmetry, and rib malformations. These findings positioned Ata as a human female with a genetic profile consistent with Chilean admixture, though the mutations were proposed as contributors to a complex dysplasia rather than a single syndrome.[27] The specific mutations included:| Gene | Mutation Type | Associated Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| COL1A1 | Novel SNV; frameshift deletion | Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; osteoporosis |
| COL2A1 | Novel SNV | Osteochondrodysplasia |
| KMT2D | Novel SNV | Kabuki syndrome (skeletal anomalies) |
| FLNB | Novel SNV | Atelosteogenesis; Larsen syndrome |
| ATR | Novel SNV | Seckel syndrome type 1 |
| TRIP11 | Novel SNV | Achondrogenesis type 1A |
| PCNT | Homozygous SNV | Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II |