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Scientist Revives Theory of Ancient Martian Nuclear Annihilation
A startling theory suggesting that an ancient civilization on Mars was obliterated by a nuclear assault from an extraterrestrial race is gaining renewed attention. Harvard scientist Dr. John Brandenburg posits this cataclysmic event as a factual occurrence, not mere science fiction.
Dr. Brandenburg’s Controversial Hypothesis
Dr. Brandenburg’s controversial hypothesis claims that sophisticated ancient Martians, identified as Cydonians and Utopians, were victims of a large-scale nuclear massacre. He argues that evidence of this Martian genocide remains visible on the planet’s surface today.
Initial Thermonuclear Explosion Claim
In 2011, Dr. Brandenburg initially proposed that Mars’ distinctive red coloration might stem from a naturally occurring thermonuclear explosion. He asserted that the chemical composition of the Martian surface mirrored that found at terrestrial nuclear test sites.
Skepticism from Mainstream Science
However, mainstream scientists have consistently refuted this proposition. They cite the absence of crucial physical corroboration, such as impact craters or radioactive fallout patterns, which would typically accompany a sudden, artificial nuclear detonation. Furthermore, critics point out that Dr. Brandenburg’s initial research was published in journals with limited scientific impact.
Theory Resurfaces on Popular Podcast
Despite initial skepticism, Dr. Brandenburg’s theory is experiencing a resurgence in public discourse. Jason Reza Jorjani, a philosophy Ph.D. and science fiction author, revisited Dr. Brandenburg’s study on the widely listened to Danny Jones Podcast. Jorjani characterized it as “alarming evidence” indicating past life on Mars.

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Isotopic Evidence: Xenon-129 Anomaly
Jorjani highlighted a key element of Dr. Brandenburg’s argument: the unusual isotopic ratio of Xenon-129 on Mars. He explained, “Every planet possesses a baseline level of various isotopes, and the Xenon-129 isotopic proportion is generally consistent throughout the solar system, except for Mars.”
Xenon-129 and Nuclear Processes
Dr. Brandenburg’s analysis emphasizes the significant concentration of Xenon-129 in the Martian atmosphere, along with uranium and thorium deposits on the surface. Xenon-129, while naturally occurring, is also a byproduct of nuclear fission and fusion processes.
NASA Findings and Cydonia Region
Notably, NASA has previously detected elevated levels of Xenon-126 isotopes in Mars’ Cydonia region. This area, located in Mars’ northern hemisphere, is renowned among conspiracy theorists for alleged “artificial megalithic structures.” These purported structures include formations resembling a human face and massive pyramids, interpretations dismissed by NASA as optical illusions resulting from shadows and natural surface features.
Conflicting Interpretations of Martian Surface
NASA scientists attribute the presence of these chemical elements to natural phenomena. They suggest that meteorite impacts and the release of gases from Martian rocks and soil could explain the atmospheric composition, offering an alternative to nuclear explosions.
“Unmistakable Signature” of Thermonuclear Detonation
Dr. Brandenburg, conversely, maintains that these elements are residual traces of ancient nuclear detonations on the Martian surface. Jorjani, echoing Dr. Brandenburg’s conclusions, conveyed to Jones that the isotopic signature is “unmistakable” and specifically indicative of “thermonuclear weapons detonation,” estimating the scale equivalent to “an Empire State Building’s worth of our thermonuclear warheads.”
Mars: Once Earth-like and Habitable?
Expanding on his theory, Dr. Brandenburg posits that Mars once possessed a climate akin to Earth, capable of supporting both plant and animal life. He further speculates that any intelligent inhabitants of ancient Mars would have achieved a level of advancement comparable to the ancient Egyptians.
CIA Remote Viewing Project and Martian Civilization
Jorjani also drew a connection between Dr. Brandenburg’s findings and a declassified CIA report detailing a remote viewing project focused on Mars. This report allegedly described a dying ancient civilization on Mars, succumbing to planetary degradation. Joe McMoneagle, identified as the CIA’s Remote Viewer No. 1, reportedly claimed to have witnessed this civilization in decline.
CIA’s “Mars Exploration” Project
The CIA’s “Mars Exploration” project, dated May 22, 1984, became declassified in 2017 and has recently gained renewed online traction. McMonagle, provided only with geographical coordinates, purportedly used extrasensory perception to explore the target location.
Remote Viewing of Megalithic Ruins
According to Jorjani, McMoneagle’s remote viewing session depicted “ruins of a megalithic city with gigantic pyramids,” estimated to be “maybe three times the size of the Great Pyramid in Giza.”
McMonagle’s Account of Dying Martians
McMonagle, in a recent appearance on the American Alchemy podcast, corroborated these claims. He recounted perceiving “human beings that were trapped in a place where the atmosphere was turning bad,” describing them as “dying for some reason” but undeniably “humans… just twice our size.”
Corroborating Visual Evidence?
McMonagle further stated he later examined NASA images of the Martian landscape, identifying a pyramid-shaped structure within a large impact crater, consistent with his remote viewing observations. He also claimed to have discerned what appeared to be a “human bone” in the Martian imagery, adding another layer of intrigue to the narrative of a lost Martian civilization.