In a groundbreaking paper, researchers from Harvard and Montana Technological University propose that an unidentified, technologically advanced population might be living secretly on Earth. These “unidentified anomalous phenomena” (UAP), commonly known as UFOs, could be hiding underground, on the moon, or even walking among humans, the study claims.
The researchers admit that their hypotheses might face skepticism from the scientific community but argue that these ideas warrant “consideration in a spirit of epistemic humility and openness.”
The paper explores the concept of “cryptoterrestrials” as a potential explanation for the numerous unexplained sightings reported globally each year.
The Theories Proposed in the Paper:
Ancient Civilization Remnants: A long-lost civilization could still inhabit Earth.
Separate Intelligent Species: An intelligent species might have evolved independently from humans and remains hidden.
Time-Travelers or Extraterrestrials: These beings might be from another time period or another planet.
Supernatural Beings: The unidentified creatures could be of supernatural origin, akin to “earthbound angels.”
The researchers also suggest that cryptoterrestrials might reside in or near sighting hotspots, such as lakes and volcanoes. They propose that frequent sightings in these areas could indicate entry and exit points for these hidden societies deep within the Earth. Other possible locations for these settlements include nearby celestial bodies like the moon.
Allegations of UFO Secrecy
In late 2023, former intelligence official David Grusch claimed that the United States government has been concealing UFO research programs from the public. The government has consistently denied such claims.
The paper addresses the government’s response to sightings, noting that many believers suspect federal agencies are “deliberately downplaying the topic or at least obfuscating the extraordinary nature of many UAP-related events.”
Call to Remove UFO Stigma
Despite the extraordinary nature of their claims, the researchers emphasize the need for open-mindedness. “We entertain them here because some aspects of UAP are strange enough that they seem to call for unconventional explanations,” they state.
