Instead of some far-off galaxy, a new paper suggests extraterrestrial life might come from underground.
The piece, written by researchers from Harvard and Montana Technological University, suggests that unidentified anomalous phenomena, such as UFOs, may already be “present in Earth’s environment.”
The key to this explanation lies in the existence of “cryptoterrestrials.” Instead of coming from another dimension or time, cryptoterrestrials may have hidden underground or on the moon or disguised themselves as humans.
Until now, common UAP explanations were often classified as either “extratempestrial” — advanced, future humans returning to the past — or “interdimensional,” meaning they arise from creatures somewhere beyond space and time.
The “Cryptoterrestrial Hypothesis” challenges these possibilities and presents a model that UAPs may come from something, or someone, secretly inhabiting Earth.
Types of ‘cryptoterrestrials‘
Within their paper, these researchers proposed four possible categories for these unexplained beings.
First is the “human cyrptoterrestial.” These creatures are said to be ancient homo sapiens that, once a technologically advanced society, have since been nearly extinguished. It is theorized that remnants of this civilization exist in secrecy, causing mysterious occurrences.
The next variation is the “hominid or theropod cryptoterrestrials.” Nonhuman creatures with similar abilities, these beings have evolved in stealth to an advanced level. They could possibly be the descendants of “unknown, intelligent dinosaurs.”
“Former extraterrestrial or extratempestrial cryptoterrestrials” make up the third category. This mouthful of “-estrails” describes creatures that may have originated from a faraway place or time but have since come to inhabit the Earth or moon.
Finally, “Magical Cryptoterrestiarals” are Harvard’s equivalent to “earthbound angels.” They possess not the power of technology but of magic and resemble the creatures of traditional European folklore such as “fairies, elves, nymphs, etc.”
Expected skeptisim
As with any theory on extraterrestrials, the authors of this paper expect skepticism. Proposing a theory of earthbound aliens, opposing the typical narrative of “advanced civilizations from elsewhere in the cosmos,” is likely to be “regarded skeptically by most scientists.” Despite this inherent hesitation, the researchers think that, in the “spirit of epistemic humility and openness,” the possibility “should not be ruled out.”
Unpacking an American obsession
UFOs have enamored Americans for centuries, the earliest account coming from John Winthrop in 1639. Stories of alien abductions, kaleidoscopic lights, and flying saucers have led many in the United States to believe humanity is not alone.
Just last year, David Grusch, a former intelligence official and U.S. Air Force officer, testified before Congress that America runs “crash retrieval” and “reverse engineering” programs on “nonhuman” spacecraft. His testimony, along with numerous conspiracy theories, has fed the belief that government officials have covered up UAP sightings for decades.
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Could the causes of these head-scratching mysteries have been on Earth all along? These three researchers certainly believe it is a possibility.
“We should state outright that we consider this unlikely,” their paper states, “crucially though, we do not regard it as impossible.”
