Atacama skeleton: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Atacama humanoid, skull profile.png|thumb|Profile of Ata]] |
[[Image:Atacama humanoid, skull profile.png|thumb|Profile of Ata]] |
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'''Ata''' is the skeletal remains of a {{convert|6|inch|mm|adj=on}} human found in a deserted town in the [[Atacama Desert]], Chile in 2003. Ata has since found its way into a private collection in Spain.<ref name=science /> It was found by Oscar Muñoz near an abandoned church in a ghost town called La Noria, 56 km to the interior of Iquique in northern Chile. Muñoz later sold it to a local pub owner for 30,000 pesos, who then sold it to a Spanish businessman, Ramón Navia-Osorio, who is the current owner.{{ |
'''Ata''' is the skeletal remains of a {{convert|6|inch|mm|adj=on}} human found in a deserted town in the [[Atacama Desert]], Chile in 2003. Ata has since found its way into a private collection in Spain.<ref name=science /> It was found by Oscar Muñoz near an abandoned church in a ghost town called La Noria, 56 km to the interior of Iquique in northern Chile. Muñoz later sold it to a local pub owner for 30,000 pesos, who then sold it to a Spanish businessman, Ramón Navia-Osorio, who is the current owner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theunusualfacts.com/2014/02/a-six-inch-skeleton-of-alien-looking.html|title=A Six-inch Skeleton of “Alien Looking” Creature With over-sized Head|publisher=UNUSUAL FACTS|accessdate=July 23, 2014}}</ref> |
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Although initially thought to be older, the remains have been dated to the last few decades, and contained high quality DNA for scientific analysis. Ata has an irregularly shaped skull and is missing two ribs.<ref name=science /> Ata may have also suffered from [[oxycephaly]].<ref name=Livescience /> There are several [[hypotheses]] about what Ata is. [[Anatomist]] and [[paleoanthropologist]] William Jungers has suggested that it is a premature human fetus, considering the [[frontal suture]] was very open, and because the hands and feet were not fully [[Ossification|ossified]]. An alternative hypothesis, by immunologist Garry Nolan is that Ata had [[progeria]] and thus died prematurely. Nolan's more speculative suggestion is that Ata suffered from a very severe form of dwarfism, but no genes for dwarfism have been found during his team's genetic analysis.<ref name=science>{{cite web |url=http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2013/05/bizarre-6-inch-skeleton-shown-to.html |title=Bizarre 6-Inch Skeleton Shown to Be Human |author=Richard Stone |date=May 3, 2013 |work=Science Now |publisher=American Association for the Advancement of Science |accessdate=May 7, 2013}}</ref> Professor of Medicine, Ralph Lachman said that dwarfism can not account for all the features found in Ata.<ref name=Livescience /> |
Although initially thought to be older, the remains have been dated to the last few decades, and contained high quality DNA for scientific analysis. Ata has an irregularly shaped skull and is missing two ribs.<ref name=science /> Ata may have also suffered from [[oxycephaly]].<ref name=Livescience /> There are several [[hypotheses]] about what Ata is. [[Anatomist]] and [[paleoanthropologist]] William Jungers has suggested that it is a premature human fetus, considering the [[frontal suture]] was very open, and because the hands and feet were not fully [[Ossification|ossified]]. An alternative hypothesis, by immunologist Garry Nolan is that Ata had [[progeria]] and thus died prematurely. Nolan's more speculative suggestion is that Ata suffered from a very severe form of dwarfism, but no genes for dwarfism have been found during his team's genetic analysis.<ref name=science>{{cite web |url=http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2013/05/bizarre-6-inch-skeleton-shown-to.html |title=Bizarre 6-Inch Skeleton Shown to Be Human |author=Richard Stone |date=May 3, 2013 |work=Science Now |publisher=American Association for the Advancement of Science |accessdate=May 7, 2013}}</ref> Professor of Medicine, Ralph Lachman said that dwarfism can not account for all the features found in Ata.<ref name=Livescience /> |
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Revision as of 09:19, 23 July 2014
Ata is the skeletal remains of a 6-inch (150 mm) human found in a deserted town in the Atacama Desert, Chile in 2003. Ata has since found its way into a private collection in Spain.[1] It was found by Oscar Muñoz near an abandoned church in a ghost town called La Noria, 56 km to the interior of Iquique in northern Chile. Muñoz later sold it to a local pub owner for 30,000 pesos, who then sold it to a Spanish businessman, Ramón Navia-Osorio, who is the current owner.[2]
Although initially thought to be older, the remains have been dated to the last few decades, and contained high quality DNA for scientific analysis. Ata has an irregularly shaped skull and is missing two ribs.[1] Ata may have also suffered from oxycephaly.[3] There are several hypotheses about what Ata is. Anatomist and paleoanthropologist William Jungers has suggested that it is a premature human fetus, considering the frontal suture was very open, and because the hands and feet were not fully ossified. An alternative hypothesis, by immunologist Garry Nolan is that Ata had progeria and thus died prematurely. Nolan's more speculative suggestion is that Ata suffered from a very severe form of dwarfism, but no genes for dwarfism have been found during his team's genetic analysis.[1] Professor of Medicine, Ralph Lachman said that dwarfism can not account for all the features found in Ata.[3]
During the DNA analysis by Nolan, the B2 haplotype group was found. Combined with the alleles from the mitochondrial DNA, it suggested that Ata is indigenous to the west of South America.[3] While it has been claimed that Ata is an alien, by ufologists, this is inconsistent with the human genetic material which is present.[1]
See also
- Aleshenka, a similar foetus allegedly found in a village in Russia
- Sirius, a film about Ata (and other subjects)
References
- ^ a b c d Richard Stone (May 3, 2013). "Bizarre 6-Inch Skeleton Shown to Be Human". Science Now. American Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
- ^ "A Six-inch Skeleton of "Alien Looking" Creature With over-sized Head". UNUSUAL FACTS. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
- ^ a b c Jeanna Bryner (April 29, 2013). "Alien-Looking Skeleton Poses Medical Mystery". Livescience. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
Further reading
- Christie Rizk (May 1, 2013). "Atacama Humanoid Is Human, Researchers Say". Medical Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
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