A mummified corpse discovered in Peru which could be a new species of human

One British researcher believes his team have found a new species of human after completing a series of scientific tests and studies on one of a batch of mummies dug up by grave robbers in Peru. Using cutting-edge DNA and carbon tests, the researcher has claimed the mummy could be 1,800 years old. The results yielded from the test suggest that the mummy was 98.5 percent "primate" and 1.5 percent "unknown" - a similar genetic structure to that of a human being. Steve Mera, a British researcher and documentary maker, managed to gain access to the corpses in Peru and was permitted to take several samples for DNA testing.

Steve and fellow researcher Barry Fitzgerald flew out to the South American country in July last year to interview key players. The Sun reports that the two men, dressed in surgical suits, were taken to a secret location in the Andes to examine the bodies using X ray technology. Mr Mera believe the findings could "alter the history books forever' as they create a three part documentary about their journey and discoveries. He also thinks that the other corpses found, which some thought were extra-terrestrial beings – had been faked as decoys using animal bones and skin.

A British researcher believes his team have found a new species of human after completing DNA tests

His research found that one of the bodies, nicknamed Maria, contained three fingers and an elongated head - leading Mr Mera to believe that the body is an early and previously unknown version of a human being. The research also discovered "Maria" had all her organs, finger and toe prints. The mummified bodies were handed to the Inkari Institute in Cusco, Peru - which investigates archeological discoveries thought to be connected to the Incas - in April last year. Mr Mera said: "We can confirm that we have evidence that the Maria body constitutes an incredible discovery.

“A discovery that may cause us to alter our history books forever. She could be the most important discovery of the 21st Century." A press conference was held in Lima back in March to announce the discovery to the world's media - before any DNA results were known. Mr Mera said he also believes that remarkable features – once thought to have been made to the body after it passed, - are real, including canine teeth, an absence of ears and horizontal dermal ridges. The Brit researcher also says that his team are the only ones who have managed to obtain authentic DNA results - and desperately want Maria to be in the care of the Peruvian government. Continuing, Mr Mera said: "We took on this case to disprove many of the unscientific claims that these mysterious bodies were in fact 'extraterrestrial' in origin, and we have managed to do exactly that - except for the large Maria body."

Steve Mera's cutting-edge DNA and carbon tests suggest that "Maria" is 1,800 years old