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The Nazca Bodies Peru Hearing Nov 2024 — AT A GLANCE

Writer's picture: Cristina GomezCristina Gomez

The Peruvian Congress recently held a hearing to discuss the unusual humanoid remains in the Nazca/Palpa region. The hearing, which brought together international experts, forensic specialists, and government officials, centered on a collection of preserved bodies that exhibit unusual anatomical features, including three-fingered hands and elongated cranial structures.



According to the hearing that took place November 9th, 2024 in the Congress of Peru (Congreso de la República del Perú) the specimens reportedly discovered preserved in diatom-rich soil that prevented decomposition, are estimated to be approximately 2,000 years old. According to proponents of their authenticity, these remains represent an unprecedented finding that challenges our understanding of ancient life in Peru. The preservation method itself has drawn significant attention, as the diatom-rich soil reportedly created natural mummification conditions that protected the bodies from deterioration and insect activity.


Nazca body undergoing tests in Peru
Nazca body undergoing tests Credits: Reuters

Leading the scientific investigation is a team of international researchers, including prominent forensic expert Dr. John McDowell and Mexican Naval Surgeon Dr. Jose Jesus Zalce. Their analysis has yielded intriguing results, including DNA sequencing conducted by a Canadian laboratory, carbon-14 dating, and extensive radiological studies (click here for data report on website). Perhaps most controversially, the researchers report finding metallic implants containing osmium and high-purity silver within some specimens, materials that would be remarkably sophisticated for the time period.


However, Peru’s Ministry of Culture has taken a strongly skeptical stance. Their experts contend that the specimens are manufactured artifacts, constructed using a combination of animal bones (particularly camel and alpaca skulls), cotton fibers, glues, and various polymers. They have presented evidence of similar “dolls” found in the region, suggesting a pattern of artificial construction rather than genuine archaeological remains.

Are they dolls or the real thing?


During the real of fake debate the Ministry of Culture presented these fake dolls
The Ministry of Culture presented these dolls to the public

The anatomical features of the specimens have become a central point of contention. Supporters of their authenticity point to the three-fingered hands and feet, elongated skulls with allegedly increased cranial capacity, and the presence of unusual oval structures within some specimens that some researchers have characterized as “eggs.” Dr. Zalce has emphasized that these features show no signs of surgical modification or manipulation, arguing that the anatomical continuity would be impossible to fake without leaving evidence of alteration.


The hearing has highlighted significant institutional tensions within Peru’s scientific community. While some researchers advocate for comprehensive international investigation, others maintain that proper protocols and skepticism must prevail. This division has led to heated debates about research access, with several international scientists calling for more open access to the specimens for comprehensive study.


This is an image of one of the body's hands taken by Xray
Xray photograph of one of the Nazca body hands

Economic and cultural implications loom large over the controversy. Supporters argue that proper investigation and verification could transform the Nazca region into a scientific and tourist destination comparable to Egypt’s archaeological sites. This potential has added urgency to calls for establishing a dedicated research center in the area and developing proper protocols for specimen preservation and study.


The hearing concluded with several key recommendations, including calls for official authorization of international scientific study, establishment of a proper research center in Nazca, and implementation of collaborative research between Peruvian and international scientists. Perhaps most significantly, there were strong appeals for a transparent investigation process that would satisfy both scientific rigor and public interest.

Critics of the government’s position argue that the Ministry of Culture’s skepticism, while understandable, may be overly rigid and potentially hampering legitimate scientific inquiry. They point out that even if the specimens prove to be inauthentic, thorough investigation would serve the interests of scientific truth and public transparency. Supporters of this view emphasize that proper scientific investigation would either validate extraordinary claims or provide valuable insights into ancient artificial construction techniques.


The Nazca body Maria, now known as Mario is in a lab to be researched
The Nazca body Maria in lab

Defamation?

The hearing has sparked significant legal developments, including a $300 million lawsuit filed against Peru’s Ministry of Culture. The legal action, spearheaded by Maussan’s legal team, addresses claims of defamation and institutional obstruction of scientific investigation. This legal challenge appears to have influenced the dynamics of the hearing, with some suggesting it contributed to the attempted limitations on certain participants’ involvement.


Looking forward, the Culture Committee has committed to elevating the investigation to national interest status, with Congressman Mercado emphasizing the need for collaborative international research. Plans are underway for a follow-up hearing at Ica University, where some of the specimens are currently housed. Advocates for the investigation, including Maussan and supporting scientists, stress the importance of involving leading global scientific institutions to conduct comprehensive analyses.


Hand of one of the nazca bodies taken by Dr. Zalce, Rangel and Correa
Tridactyls’ hand of one of the nazca bodies - Credits: Dr. Zalce, Rangel and Correa

Data Analysis of the Nazca Bodies

The investigation of the mysterious Nazca bodies has centered around several key specimens, each contributing unique elements to the ongoing scientific debate. Among these, “Maria” stands as one of the most thoroughly studied specimens, though genetic testing revealed an interesting contradiction — despite the feminine name, the presence of a Y chromosome indicated male biology. Maria’s distinctive features include three-fingered hands and feet, but it’s the cranial structure that has particularly intrigued researchers. The skull presents a 30% larger cranial capacity than human norms, with an unusual skull-to-face proportion of 1:3, departing significantly from the typical 1:1 human ratio. The specimen also displays an unusual jaw protrusion at approximately 80 degrees and notably enlarged eye sockets. Adding to its unique characteristics, Maria exhibits a missing vertebra in the spine and an arm bone separation pattern more reminiscent of gorilla anatomy than human. Perhaps most intriguingly, evidence suggests dental interventions dating back 2,000 years, while radiologists report no signs of surgical modification or amputation in the distinctive three-fingered extremities.


Strange alien implant found in hand - Credits: Dr. Zalce
Alien implant” in a Nazca Tridactyls’ hand - Credits: Dr. Zalce

Another significant specimen, Santiago, has been identified as potentially juvenile, based on the presence of temporary teeth and visible separation in skull bones — characteristics typical of young specimens. The collection also includes Victoria, notable for its missing head but significant in providing vertebrae samples that enabled complete genetic sequencing at a Canadian laboratory. Josefina, another complete specimen, has drawn particular interest for containing internal oval structures described as “eggs” and has undergone extensive radiological study.


The investigation extends to several other specimens, including Alberto, who underwent complete DNA sequencing, and Artemis, a smaller specimen measuring approximately 60cm in length, found with metallic plates composed of materials seemingly inconsistent with the technological capabilities of the period. Monserrat has garnered attention for containing internal structures suggesting pregnancy, visible in X-rays and tomography, while Sebastian represents another fully documented specimen presented alongside Santiago at the Sheraton hotel demonstration. Notably, one specimen known as ‘Wawita’ was determined to be non-authentic, showing evidence of modification and cut marks, with DNA sequencing that didn’t match the patterns found in other specimens.


Strange alien implant found in one of the Nazca bodies
alien implant” in a Nazca Tridactyls’ hand - Credits: Dr. Zalce

The scientific analysis of these bodies has employed a comprehensive array of modern techniques. Radiological studies utilized multiple imaging methods, including X-rays, CT scans with 64–128 slice capability, 3D reconstructions, and millimeter-level zoom capability. Genetic analysis, conducted in a Canadian laboratory, revealed intriguing findings, including the presence of primate genetics from the Pan paniscus lineage, genetic material dated to approximately 1.5 million years ago, Chinese ancestral markers, and evidence of an African bacterial infection specific to T-fly pathogens. Material analysis identified metal implants containing osmium and 95% pure silver, while carbon-14 dating and histological tissue studies provided additional data points for investigation.


The preservation of these specimens presents another area of scientific interest. The bodies were found preserved in diatom-rich soil, resulting in a natural mummification process that differs significantly from Egyptian mummies in that no internal organs were removed. This preservation method reportedly prevented insect damage and maintained the specimens’ integrity, creating unique research opportunities.


Images and X-rays of several of the Nazca bodies taken in lab by research group
Photographs and X-rays of several of the Nazca bodies

This collection of at least eight primary specimens represents one of the most extensive assemblages of such unusual remains ever studied. The variety of scientific techniques applied and multiple verification methods suggest a systematic approach to investigation, though conclusions remain hotly debated between various expert groups. The presence of both complete specimens and partial remains, along with varying sizes and features, has allowed for comparative analysis that researchers argue strengthens the case for authenticity. However, Peru’s Ministry of Culture maintains that careful analysis of similar manufactured specimens demonstrates artificial construction techniques that could explain these findings. The range of bodies and variety of features they present has made this case particularly complex, with each specimen offering different challenges to conventional explanation while also providing opportunities for detailed scientific analysis.


The Peru Hearing Where The Police Raided — April 2024



In a dramatic turn of events at Lima’s Sheraton Hotel on April 4, 2024, researchers presented what they claim to be one of the most significant discoveries in human history — the existence of mysterious three-fingered beings found in Peru’s Nazca region. The press conference, led by researcher Jaime Maussan and supported by an international team of scientists, was momentarily interrupted by Peru’s Ministry of Culture officials, adding another layer of controversy to an already contentious revelation.


The presentation centered around multiple preserved bodies allegedly discovered since 2017, with researchers claiming the existence of seven distinct species. The most recent and perhaps most striking discovery was a specimen named “Monserrat,” which, according to the researchers, appears to be a pregnant female. Dr. Jose Sal Benitz, former director of forensic services in Mexico, presented detailed tomographic images purportedly showing a fetus within the specimen, complete with a skeletal structure including a skull, spinal cord, and three-fingered extremities.


xray of Josefina  with eggs in stomach
Josefina Nazca body Xray shows her stomach with 'eggs' - Credits: Jaime Maussan

The scientific team, including renowned Joshua McDowell, a former Colorado prosecutor and current defense attorney and his father Dr. John McDowell, a forensic odontologist and retired professor at the University of Colorado, emphasized the preliminary nature of their findings while asserting the authenticity of the specimens. According to their initial examinations, the bodies show no signs of artificial manipulation or post-mortem alterations. The researchers highlighted various unique characteristics, including three-fingered hands and feet, elongated cranial structures, and in some cases, metallic implants allegedly composed of rare elements like osmium.


The conference took an unexpected turn when representatives from Peru’s Ministry of Culture, accompanied by police, attempted to intervene, claiming jurisdiction over potential cultural patrimony. This interruption, while disruptive, was cited by the presenters as inadvertent validation of the specimens’ significance. The tension between researchers and government authorities underscored a broader conflict over the investigation’s legitimacy and control.


The scientific team emphasized the need for extensive peer review and international collaboration. Dr. McDowell expressed willingness to coordinate further research, contingent upon governmental cooperation. The researchers proposed transferring the specimens to well-equipped international institutions for comprehensive analysis, including advanced DNA testing and carbon dating, while ensuring their eventual return to Peru.


Nazca body Maria is getting ready to be scanned in lab in peru
Maria ready to be scanned - Credits: Josh McDowell

Addressing skepticism, the presenters referenced multiple anatomical and physiological features that they claim cannot be artificially reproduced. They also discussed the historical context, suggesting these beings might have coexisted with ancient Peruvian civilizations for over 1,100 years, pointing to iconographic evidence in local archaeological records. The specimens reportedly range from 500 to 1,800 years old, based on preliminary dating attempts.


You can find the website to the Nazca bodies investigation here.


Access all of Cristina Gomez’ links - click here


1 Comment


john
Nov 30, 2024

Way cool website Cristina and reporting too! Best wishes. : )

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