Stuff You Should Know: Short Stuff – Atacama Skeleton (December 10, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this Short Stuff episode, hosts Josh and Chuck dive into the mysterious and poignant story of the Atacama Skeleton, a tiny six-inch mummified body discovered in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The episode unpacks the skeleton's origin, the rush to label it an “alien,” the revelation of its true nature, and the surrounding ethical controversies. Through their trademark mix of humor and empathy, Josh and Chuck illuminate the science, speculation, and very real human sadness behind this hotly debated artifact.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Discovery and Description of the Atacama Skeleton

• Initial Discovery

  • Discovered in 2003 in La Noria, an abandoned nitrate mining town in the Atacama Desert by treasure hunter Oscar Munoz. [01:18-01:59]
  • “It was found... in an abandoned town called La Noria back in 2003.” – Josh [01:18]

• Physical Attributes

  • Extremely small stature: About 6 inches (15 cm) long.
  • Distinctive features: conical-shaped skull, only 10 pairs of ribs instead of the usual 12. [01:41-02:06]
  • Some desiccated flesh and tissue still attached, especially on the face, due to the desert’s mummifying environment. [02:26-03:05]

• Atmosphere of Discovery

  • Atacama Desert: Among the driest non-polar locations worldwide—“just a perfect place to make a mummy.” – Josh [03:59]
  • Culture of mummification: Area linked to the Chinchorro people, known for embalming bodies, making well-preserved finds common. [03:11-03:46]

Early Theories and Alien Hype

• Jump to Speculation

  • The skeleton’s odd look triggered waves of speculation: “There were UFO people saying, it’s an alien. It’s gotta be a tiny little alien.” – Chuck [01:55]
  • Alternative guesses: non-human primate, shapeshifter. [02:07-02:22]

• Who Got Involved

  • Skeleton passed into hands of Ramon Navia Osorio, Spanish collector and head of a UFO research organization. [04:37]
  • Notably connected with ufologist Steven M. Greer, well-known for seeking government UFO disclosure. [04:57-05:48]
  • Greer’s interest: “We have to figure out what this thing is. Can I take a tissue sample?” – Josh [05:47]

Scientific Investigation and Human Origin

• DNA Analysis

  • For documentary Sirius, Greer and Osorio involve Dr. Gary Nolan, a microbiologist, to conduct a genomic test. [07:52-08:43]
  • Shock result: DNA was “modern, abundant and high quality, and is human. There’s no doubt about it.” – Chuck [08:43]

• Scientific Findings

  • Published in Genome Research (March 2018).
  • Skeleton almost certainly a stillborn baby girl with multiple rare genetic mutations affecting bone development and appearance. [09:13-09:55]
  • Age estimates: Under 500 years but possibly as recent as the last 30–40 years—making the story even sadder. [10:00]

• Humanizing the “Alien”

  • Hosts emphasize the tragedy:
    • “We have snatched this skeleton from a tomb of this little girl who died prematurely... and it’s like the saddest thing in the world.” – Chuck [10:00-10:36]
    • “It’s like, no, these are actually congenital genetic issues, not alien.” – Josh [10:41]

Ethical and Legal Backlash

• Immediate Critics

  • 2018 revelations spark outrage in Chile and international scientific communities.
  • The Chilean Society of Biological Anthropology and Association of Archaeologists condemned the study as unethical and illegal. [11:13]
    • “Under Chilean law, it’s illegal to carry out archeological, anthropological, or paleontological excavation without getting authorization... which wasn’t done.” – Chuck [11:46]

• Calls for Repatriation

  • Demands that the remains be returned to Chile.
  • Nolan’s group concedes ethical missteps, notes they only handled a bone sample, but agrees: “Yes, we believe that this baby’s remains should be repatriated back to Chile.” – Josh [11:46-12:37]
  • Chuck calls their admission “a fairly standup thing to do.” [12:37]

• Current Status and Ongoing Controversy

  • The skeleton is still with Ramon Navia Osorio in Spain—has not been repatriated. [12:39]
  • Steven Greer continues to dispute DNA findings, maintains it’s not human. [12:58]
  • “That was a scoff if I’ve ever heard one.” – Josh [13:02]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Sadness of the Story:

  • “This is the story of the saddest skeleton.” – Chuck [01:15]
  • “If she died within, say, 40 years, that would put her in the... 80s, the 70s. And the town... was abandoned in the 30s. So I’m not sure what she would be doing there.” – Josh [10:41]

• On Alien vs. Science:

  • “There were UFO people saying, it’s an alien. It’s gotta be a tiny little alien.” – Chuck [01:55]
  • “No, these are actually congenital genetic issues, not alien.” – Josh [10:41]

• On Scientific Ethics:

  • “Shouldn’t have done it. It’s against the law... without getting authorization.” – Chuck [11:46]
  • “Yes, we believe that this baby’s remains should be repatriated back to Chile.” – Josh [12:37]

• Comic Relief:

  • “Why are you going to say anything else when you can say saltpeter?” – Josh [03:07]
  • “That was a scoff if I’ve ever heard one.” – Josh [13:02]

Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | | :--------: | ----------------------------------------------- | | 01:05 | Introduction to the Atacama Skeleton | | 01:41 | Physical Description of the Skeleton | | 02:26 | Mummification in the Atacama Desert | | 04:24 | Discovery Story and First Sadness (Disturbing a grave) | | 04:37 | Sale to Collector, Introduction of Navia Osorio | | 04:57 | Steven Greer and UFO Community Involvement | | 07:52 | The Sirius Documentary DNA Investigation | | 08:43 | DNA Results: Human Stillborn Girl | | 09:13 | Multiple Genetic Mutations | | 10:00 | Age Estimates and Recent Provenance | | 11:13 | Ethical and Legal Reactions in Chile | | 11:46 | Gary Nolan’s Group Responds on Ethics | | 12:39 | Remains Still Not Repatriated; Greer's Denial | | 13:02 | Closing Thoughts [Episode Ends] |

Summary

Josh and Chuck bring their usual blend of humor, empathy, and scientific skepticism to unravel the tale of the Atacama Skeleton. What begins as an apparent alien mystery transforms into a gut-wrenching human story—one that exposes how easy it is for speculation to overshadow reality, and how scientific curiosity must grapple with profound ethical questions. The episode doesn't just tell you about a skeleton: it invites you to consider the humanity and sensitivity owed to the past.