Table of Contents
Location and Discovery
- Location: Baian-Kara-Ula Mountains, China View
- Discovery Date: 1938
- Discoverer: Dr. Chi Pu Tei, an archaeologist leading an expedition in the Baian-Kara-Ula region.
Description and Claims
Physical Characteristics: The Dropa Stones are said to be circular discs with an average diameter of 22-30 cm (11.81 inches) and a central hole, similar in appearance to a phonograph record. The stones feature spiral grooves that allegedly contain tiny hieroglyphic-like inscriptions.
Age Estimate: The stones are estimated to be around 12,000 years old.
Origin Story: According to specific claims, they were found in a cave alongside other strange artifacts, including the skeletal remains of small-statured people thought to have been alien visitors.
The grooves are believed to contain microscopic inscriptions, forming a script of an unknown language. Some researchers, such as Dr. Tsum Um Nui (a controversial figure whose actual existence is disputed), have claimed that these inscriptions tell the story of extraterrestrial beings—called the “Dropa”—crash-landing on Earth. The Dropa allegedly could not return to their home planet and had to adapt to the region’s mountainous terrain.
Expedition in 1937 led by Chi Pu Tei
According to an early version from a 1962 German magazine, an expedition in 1937 led by Chi Pu Tei found 716 granite discs with hieroglyph-like markings in the Bayan Har mountains, dated to 12,000 years ago.
The site also contained star maps and remains with large heads. Chinese researchers allegedly translated the discs, attributing them to extraterrestrials after a crash.
The findings, published by Tsum Um Nui, were ridiculed, leading Tsum to leave for Japan, where he died shortly after. The discs are said to be up to 30 cm (11.81 inches) in diameter and have double spiral grooves containing hieroglyphs.
Skepticism and Controversy
Many archaeologists and historians are skeptical of the Dropa Stones’ authenticity. There is no solid, verifiable documentation about the discovery of the alleged analysis performed by Dr. Tsum Um Nui, who appears largely untraceable in historical records.
The stones are reported to have disappeared, and no credible physical analyses can validate their claimed extraterrestrial origin. This has led some to classify the Dropa Stones as an elaborate hoax or a misunderstood archaeological artifact.
Popular Culture and Speculation
The Dropa Stones have become a popular subject within UFO and conspiracy theories. Their alleged connection to extraterrestrial beings has been used to support arguments about historical contact with aliens.
Over time, numerous retellings and sensationalized accounts of the stones have emerged, making it difficult to separate the original story from added myths and interpretations.
Key Points of Dispute
- Nonexistent Documentation: No reliable academic journal or report from 1938 documents the discovery of the Dropa Stones. Much of the information comes from secondary sources and popular media.
- Skepticism of Dr. Tsum Um Nui: It is widely believed that Dr. Tsum Um Nui, credited with deciphering the inscriptions, may not have existed. This doubts the validity of any translations or claims related to the stones.
- Absence of Independent Verification: The alleged inscriptions or translations have not been independently verified. None of the well-regarded museums in China or elsewhere claim to hold these stones or have analyzed them.
Conclusion
The Dropa Stones remain controversial and enigmatic, often cited in speculative theories about ancient aliens. The lack of reliable evidence and the disappearance of the supposed stones have led most mainstream scholars to regard the story as either a hoax or an unsubstantiated myth.
