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Atacama Skeleton (Ata)
A 6-inch skeleton with an elongated skull found in Chile. It looked alien. DNA showed it was a human female with rare genetic mutations causing dwarfism and premature aging. Science solved this one.
2003
Atacama Desert, Chile
10+ witnesses
The Atacama Skeleton proves extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
The Discovery
2003:
- Atacama Desert, Chile
- Near abandoned church
- Tiny skeleton
- Wrapped in cloth
- Sold to collector
The Appearance
Unusual features:
- 6 inches tall
- Elongated skull
- 10 ribs (not 12)
- Mature teeth
- Hardened bones
The Claims
Alien theory:
- Not human
- Extraterrestrial
- Hybrid being
- Documentary featured
- “Sirius” 2013
The Science
2018 study:
- Stanford University
- Full genome sequenced
- Human female
- Chilean ancestry
- Recently deceased
The Mutations
Medical explanation:
- Multiple genetic mutations
- Dwarfism genes
- Rapid bone aging
- Scoliosis genes
- Rare combination
The Lesson
What it teaches:
- DNA doesn’t lie
- Science finds truth
- Not everything unexplained is alien
- Human tragedy
- Ethical concerns about study