Scientists baffled by mystery mummified ‘alien’ skeleton with cone-shaped head

When the creature’s bones were examined they were thought to be aged between six and eight years old. Its strange shaped skull, slanted eye sockets and ten ribs have bewildered scientists

A tiny mummy found in the desert has left scientists questioning its origins.

Nicknamed “Ata”, the strange remains were discovered in the Atacama Desert in 2003.

When the creature’s bones were examined they were thought to be aged between six and eight years old.

The skeleton’s strange pointy shaped skull, slanted eye sockets and ten ribs have left many scientists bewildered..

Oscar Muño found the tiny remains in an abandoned church in La Noria, Chile

A leather pouch was found wrapped in a white cloth tied with a purple ribbon, but nothing suggested what it was.

This has led to speculation by ufologists convinced it is proof aliens exist.

The miniature body has 10 ribs rather than 12, which has also sparked speculation about where it was from.

UFO believers descended on the abandoned mining town where it was discovered.

A documentary called Sirius, wildly speculated it could belong to a tribe of alien visitors.

It was first thought to be ancient, but analysis in 2012 proved the tiny skeleton was actually from the 1970s.

Official records found no evidence of who the tiny mummy may have been but further tests found 8% of its DNA was not human.

Scientists claimed to have debunked alien theories in 2008 after tests at Stanford University, San Francisco and the University of California found the body died 40 years ago.

They said the female had several genetic conditions which stunted her growth including dwarfism and bone abnormalities.

They discovered the skeleton is believed to be a premature baby who died just after birth.

Garry Nolan, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine, reckons the research will benefit parents and provide clues for those with bone growth issues.

Dr Nolan analysed her case in 2012 after a friend said he might have found an alien.https://get-latest.convrse.media/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mirror.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworld-news%2Fscientists-baffled-mystery-mummified-alien-25794207&cre=center&cip=23&view=web

He then told the Times : “This research clarifies what has been a very public and sensationalised story for a long time, and it was done out of a desire to bring some humanity to this discussion and dignity to the skeleton.

“The DNA and images come from remains that were not known to be human when the research began.