Shocking discovery: mummies with strange genetic structures in the sand dunes of the Sahara

In December 2022, an international team of archaeologists announced a surprising discovery in the Murzuq Basin, deep in the Sahara Desert. Beneath the burning sand, they found a series of strange mummies, naturally preserved in the arid conditions of the desert. But what surprised the scientific community was not only the state of preservation, but also the genetic structure of these mummies: not completely similar to any known group of modern humans.

The research team, led by Dr. Amara Chafiq of the University of Tunis, used LIDAR scanning technology and geological sediment analysis to determine the excavation site. The three-week process revealed a total of 14 mummies, including adults and children, buried in ceremonial positions. These mummies have an average height of around 1m80, some up to 2m tall, with unusually long skulls and asymmetrical facial features.

Another notable point are the costumes and the funerary objects that accompany them. Pieces of cloth woven from fibers never before recorded in human history, combined with metal tools containing rare compounds such as tantalum and osmium. This leads to the hypothesis that these could be the remains of a civilization with timeless technology, which existed thousands of years before the Sahara became a dry desert.

Initial DNA analysis by Professor Elisabeth Heimer’s team at the University of Zurich yielded unexpected results. Not only are the resulting genetic sequences completely different from those of modern humans, they also have no direct connection to any known ancient human group, including Neanderthals or Denisovans. Some strange pieces of the genetic code can’t even be decoded, leaving scientists to wonder: Is this a separate branch of human evolution or a different species entirely?

At the same time, researchers are also considering the possibility that these mummies are related to ancient legends about the “Sand People,” a mythical species described in Berber culture. These records claim that the “Sand People” were intelligent creatures that lived in harmony with the harsh environment, but disappeared after an unknown disaster.

Furthermore, climatological analyzes of the area show that about 8,000 years ago, the Sahara region was a green steppe with rivers, streams and rich flora and fauna. This further reinforces the hypothesis of the existence here of an ancient civilization, buried when the climate suddenly changed.

Currently, the archaeological team has sent several samples of objects to laboratories in Europe and the United States for further research. It is hoped that these results will help shed more light on the origin and true identity of these strange mummies.