Fossils behind the aliens: Revealing the 300 million-year-old body that inspired the creation of aliens in classic sci-fi movies

For decades, audiences have shuddered at the sight of the iconic Xenomorph from Ridley Scott’s Alien franchise—its skeletal frame, elongated skull, and biomechanical dread haunting generations of moviegoers. But few know that the creature’s design, often seen as the epitome of extraterrestrial horror, can be traced not to outer space, but to a fossil that lived—and died—on Earth nearly 300 million years ago.

At the center of this remarkable connection is Swiss surrealist artist H.R. Giger, the mastermind behind the alien antagonists that defined modern sci-fi horror. Giger’s disturbing, otherworldly biomechanical style caught Ridley Scott’s attention in the 1970s, particularly his artwork Necronom IV. What many fans don’t realize is that this artwork was itself inspired by a rare fossil—one so strange and striking that it looked more like the remains of an extraterrestrial creature than an ancient lifeform from Earth.

A Fossil So Strange It Looked Alien

The fossil, housed in the Aathal Dinosaur Museum in Switzerland, is the remarkably preserved imprint of two early marine organisms from the Paleozoic era. These spikeless, soft-bodied seabed dwellers lived roughly 300 million years ago, long before dinosaurs walked the Earth.

Its symmetrical limbs, organic ridges, and oddly humanoid silhouette captivated Giger, influencing the elongated rib structures, skeletal curves, and eerie contours that later defined the Alien franchise. The fossil’s bizarre form has long fascinated paleontologists, artists, and sci-fi fans alike—and its reputation took an unexpected turn when it became the target of an unusual crime.

The Theft That Shocked a Museum

In a case that made international headlines, the fossil was stolen from its display at the Aathal museum, prompting fears that it had vanished into the underground world of private fossil collectors. Police suspected an individual familiar with fossils due to the precise way the display case was breached.

Desperate to recover the priceless artifact, authorities released photos of the fossil to the public, hoping visibility would make it impossible to sell or hide. The tactic worked.

Days later, the fossil mysteriously reappeared—stuffed inside a padded envelope and dropped into the museum’s mailbox.

Museum curator Dr. Thomas Bolliger confirmed the relic’s return but noted that it had suffered damage during the ordeal. “One of the arms had been broken off,” he explained. “But we are relieved to have it back. It is truly an extraordinary fossil and shows two distinct species of a spikeless animal that lived on the sea floor some 300 million years ago.”

A museum spokesperson added that the fossil’s rarity and instantly recognizable shape made it “almost impossible to sell or keep hidden,” given the widespread publicity surrounding the theft.

From Ancient Seabed to Hollywood Legend

The rediscovered fossil is now more famous than ever—not only a scientific treasure but a piece of cinematic history. Without it, the Alien films may never have looked the same. Giger’s adaptation of the fossil’s contours into nightmarish biomechanical lifeforms helped earn the design team an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects and shaped the aesthetics of sci-fi horror for generations.

It is a rare moment where paleontology, art, and pop culture collide.

A creature that once crawled across the seafloor in prehistoric darkness has, through the imagination of a visionary artist, become the face of one of cinema’s greatest monsters. And thanks to its dramatic theft—and lucky return—the fossil behind the aliens continues to captivate the world, proving that sometimes the strangest wonders aren’t found in space, but right here on Earth.