Since 2014, a story has circulated on UFO and conspiracy websites, claiming that DNA tests on the cone-shaped skulls discovered in the Paracas region of Peru reveal they are of extraterrestrial origin. The unusual appearance of these skulls, along with the outrageous claim, has helped the story continue to spread. The claim resurfaced in January 2017, citing that the Paracas Museum of History had sent five skull samples for genetic testing. The results were reportedly fascinating, showing mitochondrial DNA mutations that supposedly did not match any known animals or humans on Earth. According to the claim, these findings suggested the skulls belonged to an entirely new “human-like being,” unrelated to Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, or Denisovans.
However, the origin of this sensational claim can be traced back to Brien Foerster, a proponent of pseudoscience with little scientific credentials. Foerster announced the results via Facebook, not in a peer-reviewed journal. Additionally, the identity of the geneticist who allegedly conducted the tests was kept secret, raising suspicions about the authenticity of the claims.
The elongated skulls of Paracas are most likely the result of a practice known as artificial cranial deformation. Cultures worldwide, including the Paracas people, intentionally modified the shapes of skulls by binding infants’ heads with ropes or wooden boards. Anthropologists speculate that these deformities were not only for aesthetic reasons but could have had social, spiritual, or cultural significance. Some researchers even suggest the tradition may have been used to promote group identity or survival by signaling affiliation within a community.
Although the Paracas skulls are a popular source of intrigue for paranormal enthusiasts, mainstream archaeologists argue that they belong to humans who lived around 2,000 years ago. While various websites have made claims about the skulls being of alien origin or connected to Biblical creatures like nephilim, experts affirm the cultural practice of cranial deformation in the ancient Andean region as the most plausible explanation.
Other similar discoveries, such as a 2015 find in Russia, have also been linked to UFO theories, but archaeological investigations consistently conclude that these deformities were the result of human customs, not extraterrestrial influence. Despite sensational stories circulating online, there is no credible evidence to support the idea that the Paracas skulls are anything but human, and the theory of extraterrestrial origins remains speculative at best.
