DNA analysis of Paracas skulls yields inconclusive results

A new scientific study has failed to resolve the longstanding debate over the origins of Peru’s famous Paracas skulls, a collection of more than 300 elongated human remains discovered in the 1920s. Researchers from Liberty University in Virginia conducted advanced DNA analysis on teeth extracted from the skulls but could not recover sufficient genetic material to draw definitive conclusions about their ancestry.

The skulls, associated with the ancient Paracas culture that flourished between roughly 800 BC and 100 BC, have long been a subject of fascination and controversy. The predominant scientific explanation is that the distinctive, cone-shaped skulls are the result of intentional cranial modification, a cultural practice where an infant’s head is bound with cloth or boards to reshape it as it grows. This practice has been documented in numerous ancient societies worldwide and is often linked to social status or cultural identity.

However, alternative theories have persisted for decades, suggesting the remains could be evidence of extraterrestrial visitors or an unknown non-human species. The latest genetic investigation, which aimed to settle the debate, instead found the...