©REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda
Vocabulary:
- archaeologist /ahr-kee-OL-uh-jist/
- entity /EN-ti-tee/
- assemble /uh-SEM-buhl/
- outlet /OUT-let/
- fraudulent /FRAW-juh-luhnt/
[noun] – someone who studies the buildings, graves, tools, and other objects of people who lived in the past
The archaeologist carefully excavated ancient artifacts to uncover insights into the daily lives of past civilizations.
[noun] – something that exists apart from other things, having its own independent existence
The mysterious entity seemed to possess an otherworldly presence, captivating the curiosity of the researchers.
[verb] – to make something by joining separate parts
The team of engineers meticulously assembled the intricate model, joining various components to create a fully functional prototype.
[noun] – various media sources or channels, such as newspapers, television, or online platforms, that disseminate information to the public
Media outlets play a crucial role in informing the public by disseminating news through newspapers, television, and online platforms.
[adjective] – dishonest and illegal
The company faced legal consequences for its fraudulent financial activities, which involved dishonest and illegal practices.
Article reading:
The two figurines, resembling mummified bodies adorned in traditional Andean attire, were discovered in a cardboard box at the Lima airport offices of courier DHL. Despite initial speculation by some media outlets about possible alien origins, experts emphasized that the entire narrative was fabricated. Last September, similar tiny mummified bodies with elongated heads and three-fingered hands were showcased at a Mexican congressional hearing. However, Mexican journalist Jaime Maussan’s claim that these bodies were about 1,000 years old and recovered from Peru in 2017 was met with skepticism. Experts later dismissed them as likely fraudulent, possibly comprised of mutilated ancient human mummies combined with animal parts, but undoubtedly originating from Earth. During the recent Lima press conference, organized by Peru’s culture ministry, experts clarified that the dolls found in the DHL office were not linked to the bodies presented in Mexico and reiterated that the remains in Mexico were also not extraterrestrial.
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever encountered news or stories about mysterious artifacts, like the “alien mummies,” that turned out to have a different explanation than initially believed? If so, how did the revelation impact your perception of such discoveries? If not, can you imagine how people might react to the initial speculation of extraterrestrial origin and later clarification?
- In your experience, can you recall any other instances where media coverage might have influenced public understanding of a scientific or archaeological discovery? How do you think these media influences shaped public perceptions or attitudes towards the discoveries?
- Do you agree that media outlets should exercise caution and verify information before reporting on potentially sensational discoveries?
- How might the widespread belief in extraterrestrial life influence public reactions to the initial speculation about the “alien mummies”? In what ways can such beliefs impact the credibility of scientific institutions?
- Reflecting on the situation with the “alien mummies” and similar cases, how can the scientific community effectively communicate complex findings to the public, especially when faced with sensationalized narratives?
Summarization
Describe:
- mummified
- skepticism
- speculation
- synthetic
- extraterrestrial