For Jaime Maussan, a Mexican journalist and dedicated UFO enthusiast, these specimens represent a significant find in the annals of human history.
However, in the eyes of numerous scientists, these two diminutive mummified bodies, characterized by elongated heads and three-fingered hands, which garnered worldwide attention when they were unveiled to Mexico’s Congress this week, have already been discredited – and may even be considered a potential hoax.
Within Maussan’s office, situated in the Santa Fe business district of Mexico City, staff members delicately transport two sealed boxes with glass lids housing these specimens into a studio equipped with green screens. Reuters was granted exclusive access on Friday.
A crowd gathers eagerly for a closer examination. The bodies exude an ancient aura and bear human-like features, including two eyes, a mouth, two arms, and two legs.
Maussan asserts that these specimens were allegedly discovered in the vicinity of the pre-Columbian Nazca Lines in Peru, approximately in the year 2017.
He insists he possesses the evidence to establish that these specimens deviate from anything within Earth’s existing knowledge. Through social media and during the hearing, he presented scientific analyses and research findings that he contends support the notion that these bodies are roughly 1,000 years old and unrelated to any known terrestrial species.
According to Maussan, one of the specimens, which he described as female, was found to contain internal eggs.
At the age of 70, Maussan passionately described his mission to raise awareness about these discoveries, declaring, ‘This is the most significant event in human history.’ He made these remarks while seated in his office, adorned with vibrant artwork and paraphernalia inspired by extraterrestrial themes.
Elsa Tomasto-Cagigao, a highly regarded Peruvian bio-anthropologist, expresses her exasperation that such assertions continue to receive attention, citing previous instances of purported discoveries that were ultimately exposed as fraudulent.
David Spergel, the former leader of Princeton University’s astrophysics department and the chair of a NASA study on unexplained phenomena, emphasized on Thursday the importance of making these samples accessible for examination by the global scientific community.
Maussan disseminated the outcomes of DNA and carbon dating assessments, which he claimed to have commissioned on ‘the entities,’ via social media and his presentation.
Upon Reuters’ request, a Mexican scientist reviewed the results and determined that they suggested characteristics consistent with terrestrial life.
During an interview with Reuters on Friday, Maussan clarified that the test results were not directly associated with the two bodies he presented to Congress earlier in the week. Instead, he explained that they pertained to a completely distinct specimen referred to as Victoria, which is still situated in Peru.
Maussan is no newcomer to contentious situations, having previously made assertions regarding other remains that received extensive criticism.
His recent actions have stirred frustration among Peruvian authorities.
Leslie Urteaga, the Peruvian Minister of Culture, has raised inquiries regarding the departure of these specimens, which she identified as pre-Hispanic artifacts, from Peru. She also disclosed the filing of a criminal complaint.
Maussan responded confidently, stating, ‘I have no concerns. I have not engaged in any unlawful activities.’
The manner in which these bodies were transported to Mexico remains a mystery that Maussan claims he cannot address. They were temporarily lent to Maussan for the congressional hearing and are currently in the custody of an unidentified Mexican individual who was present at Maussan’s office on Friday.
In response to inquiries regarding the acquisition of the bodies, which he referred to as Clara and Mauricio, the man simply stated that he would disclose the details ‘when the timing is right.’
Jose de Jesus Zalce Benitez, Director of the Health Sciences Research Institute within the Secretary of the Navy, lent his support to Maussan’s assertions during the congressional hearing. Presently, he provides a composed elucidation of his scientific perspective from his office.
He asserted, ‘According to the DNA tests, which were cross-referenced with over one million species… these specimens do not exhibit any resemblance to what is currently understood or documented within the realms of science or human cognition.’
Julieta Fierro, a scientist affiliated with Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM) Institute of Astronomy, who conducted a review of Maussan’s test findings for Reuters, perceives much less enigma within the data.
She clarified that the existence of carbon-14, as indicated in UNAM’s studies, suggests a connection between the samples and brain and skin tissues from various mummies that perished at separate points in time.
The decay of the radioactive carbon-14 isotope within living organisms’ tissues over time provides a method for scientists to estimate the specimen’s approximate year of demise.
She pointed out that the quantity of carbon-14 within the atmospheres of other celestial bodies may not necessarily mirror that of Earth.
In summary, Fierro remarked, ‘The findings do not reveal anything enigmatic that might suggest the presence of life compounds not found on Earth.’