Imagine this: an advanced, unknown civilization could be living right here on Earth, possibly hidden deep underground and surfacing occasionally as UFOs or even blending in as humans.
In a bold new paper, researchers from Harvard and Montana Technological University speculate that sightings of “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena” (UAP) — a term for UFOs — might indicate the presence of intelligent beings hiding stealthily on Earth, in underground bases, or even on the Moon. They could also be “walking among us,” passing as humans.
Though the researchers acknowledge that this idea of hidden “cryptoterrestrials” is highly speculative and likely to be met with skepticism, they argue it merits serious consideration with an open mind.
Interest in unexplained UFO sightings has surged, particularly after former Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch’s testimony before Congress last summer, where he claimed the US had recovered alien spacecraft. NASA has also begun exploring these mysterious, high-speed objects spotted by military pilots, but no concrete evidence of extraterrestrial life has been found.
Despite this, the Harvard researchers propose several wild possibilities. They suggest a “remnant form” of an ancient, advanced human civilization may be observing us. Alternatively, an intelligent species might have evolved independently on Earth, potentially from “intelligent dinosaurs,” and is now hiding. Another theory is that these beings arrived from another planet or time. The most outlandish idea posits these entities might be “less technological than magical,” akin to “earthbound angels.”
The paper notes UFO sightings near volcanoes and other potential underground access points, suggesting these cryptoterrestrials might reside in underground or underwater bases. It even references former House Representative Mike Gallagher’s theory that an ancient civilization has been hiding on Earth and is now revealing itself.
Furthermore, the researchers entertain the idea that these cryptoterrestrials could take on different forms, including non-human primates or reptiles. They might also be concealing themselves on the Moon or have perfected the art of blending in as humans, a concept popularized in science fiction.
Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb adds another layer, suggesting ancient civilizations could have existed on “planets like Mars or Earth” billions of years apart, unaware of each other.
While these hypotheses are undoubtedly far-fetched and should be approached with skepticism, the researchers argue that some aspects of UAPs are strange enough to warrant unconventional explanations.
“It may be exceedingly improbable, but hopefully this paper has shown it should nevertheless be kept on the table as we seek to understand the ongoing empirical mystery of UAP,” the paper concludes.