Note: All things I state in my blog are my ideas and mine alone. In this blog, unless specifically stated otherwise, I am only speaking for myself.
When we discuss the origin of ancient objects or art, we often talk of their provenance. This may refer to their history of ownership, or to their location of origin. In discussing the origin of archaeological finds, as I understand their definitions, provenience denotes the specific location where an object was discovered. As I think about the right word to use when discussing where these bodies truly came from, it sets the stage for one of the bigger arguments at play:
Do these mummies represent the true form of a once-living biological species, or are they something else entirely?
Are these bodies works of art or intentional hoaxes made of a mish-mash of animal bones? Are they human bodies that have suffered the indignity of ancient or modern modification? Maybe some of both?
Or do these bodies represent the remains of formerly unknown species (plural) that once lived and breathed in the Nazca region?
In either instance, I believe this remains one of the most fascinating mysteries of our time. If these are a hoax, who has the talent, time, knowledge and ability to put these together?
If you’ve been following this story, you would know that are many educated professionals and doctors that believe these bodies to be the remains of real organisms. At the recent press conference in Lima on April 4, 2024, you heard from Dr. David Ruiz, a plastic surgeon and forensic specialist from Peru. You also heard from Dr. Jose Zalce Benitez, a Mexican Navy Forensic doctor. These doctors have resumes a mile kilometer long, and they have examined these bodies in person, with CT scans, X-rays, tomography, etc. They have not detected manipulation of the bodies.
If we are to consider that the tridactyl mummies are a fraud, we should consider the motive, means and opportunity to create them.
Let’s use the mummy “Maria” as an example. Did the huaquero “Mario” find the mummified remains of an ancient Nazca mummy with cranial modification, and think that this find wasn’t worth enough on the black market “as-is”? Did he conspire with someone else to modify her and dozens of others mummies to create a tridactyl craze and send prices sky high on the international mummy market?
Who did he conspire with that had the ability to put these together? What connection did Mario have that had the talent and wherewithal to put these together in a manner to withstand the scrutiny that they have faced to date? Who had the access to the raw material of dozens of ancient cranially-modified and mummified corpses laying around? Maybe there is an underground “body shop” in Palpa with artisans cranking these mummies out. If that turns out to be the case, I can’t wait to tour the facilities
This is why the provenance and provenience are so important in this case. We don’t have a carefully studied archaeological site cataloged by an accredited university. The site Mario alleges the mummies were found has been cleaned out of all artifacts, and to my knowledge has never been the subject of an archaeological examination. As he described the scene to me last week in our interview, I am confident that the cave he has shown previously could not be the location the specimens were recovered. That discussion will be in a future post as well.
Do not take the statements above to mean that I have any idea of what the mummies are. I’m waiting for the data, just like any other prudent observer.
The Next Steps of the Investigation
The questions I posed above are what intrigued me about the Nazca mummies and led me down to Peru last week. In my opinion, the best mysteries are ones that are: current, testable, and novel (also, “weird” doesn’t hurt). And this has it all. In spades.
I am hopeful that our team of forensic doctors can continue their investigation into these mummies with the best resources, equipment, and personnel available. There are definitive answers to be had in this case if the investigation can continue unfettered.
I do not believe it is prudent or fair to the scientific process at this stage to discuss the American forensic team’s initial impressions.
The doctors should be free to analyze and test in the manner they deem scientifically appropriate, and only then publish their findings in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Additional Thoughts
I have found in the last few days there are very strong opinions on both sides on the debate about the nature of the mummies. From the messages I received online, I imagine that when the findings come out, half of the people following this topic will likely be disappointed. Whatever side they are on. I honestly hope that everyone can get on the same side of this and say, “Let’s wait for the data.” Neither I, nor the US forensic doctors have a dog in the fight when it comes to the results of the study. During our visit they were given all access and complete freedom. The Peruvian and Mexican teams were incredibly accommodating, and they did not apply pressure in any way.
I want to be very clear that I do not have a predisposed hope that we get certain answers. However, I do think that the mummies should receive a thorough and unbiased study. As Dr. McDowell said at the April 4th press conference, “There are no emergencies in forensic science”. This process will take as long as it takes, and hopefully it produces some definitive answers about the nature of the Nazca mummies. I’m not pushing any agenda, and if you don’t like reading about the mummies, I have plenty of posts about DUIs and lie detectors and other cool topics that make for great reading for insomniacs.
I think no matter how this case turns out, it will be studied in forensic textbooks for decades.
Obligatory cliffhanger
However weird you think this story is, it’s about to get a lot weirder. I’ll explain how chance encounters have lead me to ask the right questions about where “over a hundred other mummies” have gone, and where they are today. There are a LOT more out there.