In 2015, a grave digger in Peru uncovered several mummified bodies inside a cave, igniting global debate. The remains, marked by three fingers and three toes, quickly became known as the so-called alien mummies in Peru. The unusual anatomy fueled speculation that they might be extraterrestrial, a previously unknown human species, or an elaborate hoax.
Today, about two dozen of the mummies are undergoing scientific analysis. Researchers say the specimens retain preserved tissue, muscles, and even internal organs. One is believed to have been pregnant at the time of death.
Jesse Michels, host of the podcast American Alchemy, recently visited the site and later told the Daily Mail that the evidence does not support an alien origin. He suggested they may represent an unknown subterranean species.
Michels said a bioinformatics expert examined publicly available DNA data and found a mutation in a gene associated with deformities of the fingers and toes. This, he noted, could explain the bodies’ unusual features.
Genetic findings suggest human origins
Bioinformatics specialist Alaina Hardie, who studied the data, said she initially set out to disprove the idea that a genetic mutation could account for the mummies’ anatomy. She identified a mutation in the Gli3 gene, which is linked to polydactyly — a condition involving extra digits. Archaeological evidence shows polydactyly existed in ancient Peru.
Genetic testing indicated that the mummies’ DNA largely matched human profiles, despite contamination and degradation common in ancient samples.
These tridactyl mummies from Peru have real bone, real tissue, real capillaries, real internal organs, and yes, even developing fetuses. Independent forensic scans and CT imaging reveal anatomy too precise to be a hand crafted hoax made from animal parts or glued bullshit.… pic.twitter.com/jCkUyLd1jN
— Jason Wilde (@JasonWilde108) July 19, 2025
Researchers extracted genetic material from bone and muscle tissue, then used genome sequencing and bioinformatics tools to reconstruct the profiles and pinpoint mutations. They cross-checked the results against known terrestrial organisms to separate authentic sequences from background noise.
The samples included remains from a specimen called “Victoria,” a headless humanoid, confirming the DNA was human. Michels also pointed to ectrodactyly, or “Ostrich Foot Syndrome,” observed in a tribe in northern Zimbabwe. The condition causes a cleft in the hand or foot, removing central digits. He said this condition aligns more closely with the three-fingered mummies than polydactyly.
Hybrid theory and deeper DNA testing
José Zace, head of the Mexican Navy’s medical division, said the larger mummies contain roughly 70 percent human DNA, with the remainder differing from known sequences.
Dr. David Ruiz Vela, another lead researcher, suggested one specimen, “Maria,” might be a hybrid resulting from migration and interbreeding between primate or human species in Asia and Africa thousands of years ago.
Michels plans to involve US-based Colossal Biosciences for deeper DNA testing, pending approval from Peru’s government.
The remains first gained global attention in 2022 when journalist Jamie Maussan presented them to Mexico’s Congress as authentic. In 2023, however, controversy deepened when another journalist was found with doll-like figures modeled after the mummies.
Forensic archaeologist Flavio Estrada concluded that some specimens were assembled from animal bones and modern adhesives, rejecting extraterrestrial claims. Despite this, Michels noted that the figure maker is suing the Peruvian government for $3 million over the dispute.
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