Ata (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈata]) is the name given to the skeletal remains of a human fetus that was 6 inches (15 cm) long. These remains were discovered in 2003 in the ghost town of La Noria, located in the Atacama Desert of Chile. In 2018, DNA tests on the fetus showed unusual changes in the DNA linked to dwarfism and scoliosis, but these results were later questioned. The remains were found by Oscar Muñoz, who later sold them. The current owner is Ramón Navia-Osorio, a businessman from Spain.

Overview

DNA tests on the early-stage human fetus showed unusual changes linked to dwarfism and scoliosis. However, other studies disagreed, stating the skeleton developed normally for a fetus. Some people, like UFO theorist Steven M. Greer, suggested without evidence that Ata was not from Earth. These ideas led to Ata being included in the 2013 UFO movie Sirius and caught the interest of Stanford University geneticist Garry P. Nolan. Nolan contacted the film team and studied the skeleton's remains. His DNA analysis confirmed the skeleton was human and not of extraterrestrial origin.

Analysis

The fetal remains were initially believed to be older, but tests show they date back to as recently as the late 1970s. These remains contain high-quality DNA, which is useful for scientific study. The skull is irregularly shaped, and the fetus has 10 ribs instead of the usual 12 in adult humans. Signs of a condition called oxycephaly may also be present. The skull’s frontal suture is still open, and the hands and feet are not fully hardened, suggesting the fetus was born early and died before or shortly after birth, according to William Jungers, an anatomist and paleoanthropologist. Another idea, proposed by Nolan, suggests the fetus may have had genetic disorders that caused it to be aborted before full development. Ralph Lachman, a pediatric radiologist, noted that dwarfism alone cannot explain all the features found in the remains.

DNA analysis by Nolan revealed the remains belong to the B2 mtDNA haplotype group. Haplogroups help identify genetic populations often linked to specific geographic areas. Combined with other mitochondrial DNA alleles found in the remains, the results indicate Ata was likely indigenous to western South America.

In March 2018, Nolan shared more findings, stating the fetus had a rare bone aging disorder and genetic mutations related to dwarfism, scoliosis, and skeletal and muscle abnormalities. Researchers identified 64 unusual mutations in 7 genes connected to the skeletal system. This discovery of so many mutations affecting skeletal development had never been reported before.

Controversy

A later study, published in September 2018 by an international research team led by Siân Halcrow, an Associate Professor of Bioarchaeology at New Zealand's University of Otago, questioned a study from March 2018 by Nolan. The team stated that as experts in human anatomy and skeletal development, they found no evidence of the skeletal "anomalies" claimed by Nolan. They explained that these observations were actually normal parts of fetal development, changes caused by the baby's head during birth, or effects that happened after the body died. The team also expressed doubt about the DNA findings from the earlier study. They raised ethical concerns, saying that research like Nolan's, which does not consider the rights of the deceased and their communities, could harm efforts to correct past mistakes made by scientists during colonial times.

Genome Research, the publisher of the 2013 study, responded by saying their ethical guidelines did not cover work on "specimens of uncertain biological origins, such as the Atacama skeleton." They also said they would review their policies for such studies. The authors of the 2013 study responded to the ethical concerns and called for the remains to be returned to their original location. The researchers defended their work by explaining that no members of their team or their labs handled the skeleton directly. They were not involved in obtaining or moving the skeleton. Instead, they received a small bone sample (about 1 mm) taken by the Sirius documentary team in Spain. Their role was limited to analyzing this sample, and they were not responsible for the actions of those who handled the skeleton before them. They also said they did not know the specimen was human or its age when the research began. The researchers emphasized their goal was to understand the specimen, not to support unethical practices.