TECH

Researchers unveil mystery of mummy from Chile
Study reveals mummy is from girl who was born premature and with several genetic mutations. Found in the Atacama Desert in 2003, extraterrestrial-looking skeleton caused international uproar.Researchers revealed on Monday (22/03) details about the origin of a mummy discovered in Chile that caused international uproar. Found in 2003, in the Atacama Desert, the skeleton has spawned rumors that it would be extraterrestrial. The hypothesis was soon dismissed by researchers. However, several questions remained unanswered.The new study, whose analysis of the genetic material of the 15-centimeter mummy, nicknamed Ata, lasted five years, revealed that the skeleton belongs to a girl who has had several genetic mutations.According to the researchers, it is a premature baby born with various deformations in the bones and skull due to a series of mutations linked to dwarfism and premature aging. Earlier, experts believed the bones belonged to a child between the ages of six and eight.Researchers believe that Ata was born dead or died shortly after birth. The analysis also revealed that the skeleton, found inside a leather pouch behind a church, is no more than 40 years old. Ata still has only ten pairs of ribs, while the normal one would be twelve.Using DNA extracted from the bone marrow of the mummy, the researchers made a thorough analysis of the genome and determined that Ata is South American and probably from the Andean region.

Source:dw.com