Time spent on the research: 5 minutes. Immediately after the photo of the “alien” at a right angle was published, the AI application (beta) reconstructed its image, the ArtCollecting's expert found analogues and summed up the results.

How was the research organized?

We used two popular AI effects: the effect of transforming paintings into works of photography and the effect of rejuvenating the characters in a photograph. The source was in low resolution, so the AI essentially dealt with pixel graphics.

AI made it possible to reconstruct the portrait of the “alien” and his facial features. This allowed the expert to determine the probable origin of the archaeological find and build a hypothesis - what kind of creature is it really?

Image: original source, footage from a meeting of the Mexican Congress. Unknown author

Image: first stage of the reconstruction by ArtCollecting

Image: version of artistic reconstruction by ArtCollecting

Image: version of artistic reconstruction by ArtCollecting

Image: version of artistic reconstruction by ArtCollecting

Is this creature really over 1000 years old?

Yes.

Does this creature belong to a peace-loving civilization?

No. Imagine this is a civilization created by Hannibal Lecter. You find yourself in an ancient country where human life is valued just as in his fictional world. You are killed, your heart is turned into a delicacy served to the sounds of rhythmic music, and your skull is turned into a shuttlecock for a game similar to badminton.

Was the creature mummified?

Yes. During the process of mummification, his body underwent deformation. The mummification process involves several steps, each of which contributes to the deformation of the body: removing internal organs, treating the body with salts to dry it, wrapping the body in bandages, and placing the body in a sarcophagus.

The first step in mummification is the removal of internal organs. This process causes significant deformation of the body as organs that maintain the body's shape are removed. Viscera such as the heart, lungs, liver and intestines are usually removed through a small incision in the side of the body. The brain is also removed, but through the nasal openings. This leads to a significant change in body shape, especially in the chest and abdomen.

The next step is to treat the body with salts, which help dry the body and prevent decomposition. This process also causes deformation as the body contracts and becomes more rigid. The skin and muscles of the body become dry and hard, which leads to a change in their natural shape.

After treating the body with salts, it is wrapped in bandages. This process also causes deformation as the bandages compress the body and change its shape. In some cases, to create a more idealized representation of the body, amulets or other objects may be placed under the bandages, which also affects the shape of the body.

Did this creature change the shape of its skull during its lifetime?

Yes. It is a religious practice that was common among many ancient cultures, including the Mayans and Incas of South America. Skull deformation usually began in early childhood and involved applying pressure to the skull using special devices to give it an elongated or curved shape.

These practices, although they seem strange and cruel to us, were an important part of the cultural identity of ancient societies. They served not only as signs of beauty or status, but also as symbols of religious affiliation or spiritual power. For example, cranial deformation among the Mayans and Incas was considered a sign of spiritual superiority and was only practiced by members of the ruling class. In some cases, the deformation of the skull could also be associated with religious beliefs, for example, to bring the appearance of a person closer to the image of the gods. Archaeologists regularly find deformed skulls all over the globe.

Why couldn’t about 30% of the DNA from the remains of the Mexican “alien” be deciphered?

In recent years, thanks to advances in the field of genetics, scientists have been able to study the DNA of ancient people found in archaeological finds. This allowed them to make significant contributions to the understanding of human origins and evolution. However, some of the results of these studies raise questions and even doubts. In particular, why does a DNA test on an ancient man show that he is not human?

DNA from ancient samples is imperfect. DNA breaks down over time, and the older the sample, the more damaged it is. This may result in some parts of the genome being lost or distorted, making them difficult to compare with the modern human genome.

Is the creature passed off as an alien in Mexico a homo sapiens species?

Yes.

Was his skeleton deformed after burial?

Yes. Burying a human body is a process that involves many biological and chemical changes. One of the most interesting and little-studied phenomena is the decrease in the size of the human skeleton after burial. This phenomenon, also known as “skeletal contraction,” raises many questions and debates among scientists.

Skeletal contraction usually occurs within the first few decades after burial and can result in a 10-20% reduction in skeletal size. This phenomenon is usually observed in the case of burial in soil, but can occur in other forms of burial.

There are several theories explaining the causes of skeletal contraction. One of them is related to soil pressure. After the body is buried, under the influence of the weight of the earth, the skeleton begins to shrink, which leads to its reduction.

Another theory connects the contraction of the skeleton with decomposition processes. After death, biochemical processes begin in the body, as a result of which tissues and bones decompose. This can lead to a decrease in skeletal volume.

There is also a hypothesis that the decrease in skeletal size may be due to the dissolution of minerals in the bones. After death, bones lose moisture and become more fragile, which can cause them to shrink.

The reduction in skeletal size after burial is of great importance for archeology and criminology. This phenomenon can distort the results of measurements and analysis of remains, making it difficult to determine the age, gender and other characteristics of an individual.

To account for this phenomenon, scientists have developed special correction methods that allow the reduction in skeletal size to be taken into account when analyzing remains.

The Mexican Congress showed X-rays of humanoids and stated that eggs were found in one of the bodies. How did the eggs get there?

There are two options: during the funeral rite or in our days. The ancient Incas and Mayans had spiritual patrons - birds. The eggs could be used in a funeral procession after processing.

Peruvian Minister of Culture Leslie Urteaga said that similar alien mummies have been known since 2016. They are smuggled out of Peru by smugglers. And in fact they are made from bone remains from the pre-Hispanic period. Could this be true?

Yes. Her version seems the most plausible. We began our research before we saw the publications quoting Leslie Urteaga, and came to a similar conclusion: these are the skeletal remains of homo sapiens from the pre-Hispanic period.

Is this a product made from bone remains or a solid skeleton that has undergone deformation?

Most likely, a solid skeleton that has undergone deformation.

What civilization do the remains belong to?

Chaima Maussan made a statement that he allegedly found these remains during excavations in Peru. The Incas, Mayans and Aztecs lived in Peru. The fossil specimen could have come from any of these civilizations.