Overview
- In late May 2026, a Liberty University team extracted DNA from Paracas teeth using a gentle root-powder method and a grinding method but recovered only 2.3 ng/µL and 14.1 ng/µL respectively, below the roughly 20 ng/µL many labs consider needed for reliable genetic profiling.
- The two extraction approaches worked as intended but yielded low or degraded material, which researchers say is likely due to age-related decay or poor preservation rather than lab error.
- Because the tooth DNA is insufficient, the team says the question of human versus non-human origin remains unresolved and no definitive genetic ruling can yet be made.
- Next steps include a more aggressive demineralization extraction aimed at recovering higher-quality DNA and planned comparison of any new results with DNA previously taken from the mummies' hair.
- Longstanding archaeological evidence and a 2022 South American study finding 98 percent of 159 Paracas skulls showed intentional cranial deformation remain the main scientific explanation, even as fringe claims of non-human origins continue to circulate.