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Anne Taylor Sandusky Mr. Spriggs WRD 111-054 10 December 2013 Archeology: Digging for Duds The worlds history is not always the most entertaining subject to study, but nonetheless, it is an important topic, both academically and socially. In my opinion, the how behind what we know is more intriguing than the what that is learned. Yet, how are we able to know such an extensive amount about events that happened thousands of years ago? The key is archaeology; it is the study of mankinds past and serves as a gateway to knowing about the human experience. Archaeology helps us understand the evolution and development of cultures all across the world. It plays an important role in tracking how we have changed as human beings, as well as how individual civilizations have changed throughout time. Professional archaeologists study and analyze artifacts, written texts, and historical sites in order to understand past civilizations and their importance in the evolution of mankind. This includes both items and places as young as hundreds of years old, as well as those from millions of years ago. Obviously, the profession of archaeology is crucial to our historical knowledge, so why would someone jeopardize the integrity of such a profound profession? Fakes are a rampant issue when it comes to anything of monetary value and historical significance, and the field of archaeology is familiar with the high stakes some place on

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controlling the past. In archaeology, fakes are referred to as hoaxes. According to Websters Dictionary, a hoax is simply described as an act to trick or dupe (98). It is what I personally consider as a very elaborate prank. My definition of a hoax requires a greater expanse of knowledge and a higher skill set than simply hiding a whoopee cushion under a blanket for an unsuspecting victim, however. A hoax has to have substantial preparation and a well-designed plan in order to achieve success. For some, hoaxers, or those who initiate and carry out hoaxes on individuals or larger audiences, are nothing more than over-educated, over-achieving pranksters with time and money to waste. No matter what type of hoax it is, a small amount of basic knowledge on the subject matter and media is required if one is hoping for any measurable victory. In other words, it is necessary to know the facts before there can be any attempt to distort them. If the plan is for the hoax to succeed, it is crucial that one know how to avoid the simple, often minute, mistakes and make fakes convincing enough that they can pass as real astounding discoveries. In my opinion, one of the most complicated and serious hoaxes to endeavor to pull off would be an archaeological hoax, simply because these types of hoaxes involve physical evidence that is difficult to compellingly replicate. In order for archaeologists to study the past, they have to have an actual physical object from a particular culture or geographical area in order to avoid misinterpretations of the past. An object, whether it be an artifact, written text, or even a monument, are the types of things that archaeologists need in order to make correct assumptions about history. Objects that are thousands, and sometimes millions of years old would be much harder to accurately duplicate than a photo that could easily be altered with modern technology. The seriousness of the information being distorted makes archaeological

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hoaxes a very serious offense to both the historical and cultural past. The development of civilizations and humans as a species is a very complex web of ideas, and all it takes is one small deviation from the truth to throw the whole web off balance. Two Archaeology Magazine columnists even said, [f]akes pollute the archaeological record and skew our understanding of the past, making it difficult to discern historical truths from falsities (Dubious Discoveries). Why They Do What They Do The true evolution of our past has been fought over for years, but what actually compels someone to actively strive to make the arguments more intense? What incentive is strong enough to tempt people into implementing a prank of such magnitude and preparation? What inspiration is strong enough to motivate individuals to carry out pranks without concern for the repercussions that may follow? There are a number of reoccurring ideas and common motivations for archaeological hoaxes which are important to consider when attempting to understand the factors that play into the deception of society. Money is a very reliable incentive for nearly anything, hoaxes included. As with any idea that involves public interaction and participation, money plays a strong role. If the public finds an idea or event to be interesting and exclusive enough, it will pay to see it no matter what the monetary price. Some people find the fascinating stories (with hoaxes often included) to be a source of entertainment, and like most forms of entertainment, there is a substantial market for it. Economically speaking, if there is a demand for a certain product or service, someone will provide it regardless of quality or authenticity. As author and archaeology professor Feder points out, Money, undeniably, can be a major motivating factor (10). The opportunities for

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people to take advantage of an interested audienceare virtually endless, which makes cheating and forging information and items all the more enticing (Feder 10). Money is the most obvious, and perhaps the strongest, incentive powering deceptive hoaxers. There are, however, some things that money cannot buy. It is well known that every child, at some point in his or her life, dreams of becoming famous in sports, music, movies, or writing. Some of those children even grow up to become archaeologists, with the desire to make their own fame and recognition. As in any profession, an archaeologist has to strive to gain a prestigious reputation in order to be considered a top dog in the field. Archaeological finds of great significance are hard to come by, leaving some to make their own interpretation of luck. As Feder mentions, the desire to find the oldest site can motivate anyone , including professional archaeologists, to alter or exaggerate their data in order to boost their academic and personal standing (10-11). Some archaeologists get tired of waiting around for a monumental discovery that would put their names in history books, so they make one instead. The longing for fame is not limited to completely honest and moral people, including the professionals; even the best have their bad days and dark moments. Nationalism has been another very widespread motif for archaeological hoaxes since they began thousands of years ago. Most people long to take pride in the history and honor their nationality can provide. In order for some to achieve that feeling of respect, it is necessary to create an object or event to be proud of. The start of modern culture on each of the continents is debatable, and the challenge this unknown information presents is when multiple countries lay claim to being the first with an intelligent civilization. That problem intensifies more severely when people bring forth artifacts, whether real or fake, as opposed to

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simply making a verbal claim. Authors Jackson and Rose acknowledged this position by stating that some of the greatest hoaxes are made by patriotic perpetrators boosting their country through spurious links to past civilizations (Dubious Discoveries). Nationalism has been the cause of many major events in our world history, though, luckily, archaeological hoaxes are one of more lighthearted events. Nonetheless, pride is a strong emotion that have inspired some pretty incredible archaeological hoaxes, including but not limited to stone giants and crystals skulls. Religious beliefs are as common a cause for archaeological hoaxes as nationalism and financial gain. Hoaxers often try to validate a religious story with manufactured relics, as mentioned by archaeology student blogger, alawilson (Archeological Hoax). Believers want proof of their beliefs. However, the desire to prove the stories fueling various faiths would be very difficult based on how abstract religion is in cultures. Some people obviously have to create their own finds in order to prove their faith is real, to themselves and a greater audience. Religious hoaxers involve these useful lies as a way to strengthen their own faith and to draw other people into it by providing physical evidence (Feder 12). It is always said that seeing is believing, but the authenticity of what is being seen needs consideration as well. One vital element that brings all of varied motifs together is the notion that hoaxers are merely giving the people what they want. Hoaxers are not alone in their quest to prove religious events or promote fervent nationalism; there is an entire group of people willing to support the many number of known hoaxes simply because there is a longing to believe in the message. The public provides both the loyal fan base, as well as the frequent opportunities for monetary gain. The number of archeological hoaxes would be much lower if there was not a

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mob of people essentially encouraging the idea of rewriting history and culture as they want to see it. While the actual hoaxers are the masters creating the tall tales, their driving force comes from variety of benefits that are all delivered openly by the public. Examples The Piltdown Man hoax is perhaps the most notorious and well-known of the archaeological hoaxes. It is, in fact, the story of the most famous fossil skulls in the world (PBS). According to a History Channel article, archaeologist Charles Dawson announced his discovery of human-like skull fragments and a jaw with two teeth located in England in 1912 (History). In the early 1900s, early human fossils were being discovered all across the world, particularly in Europe. Every country wanted to be attributed as finding the missing link between apes and humans, so the stakes were high. At the time of the Piltdown Man discovery, Germany had just unearthed the oldest and most anatomically advanced human fossils in the world, which only added to the competitive atmosphere (Feder 73). Fossils of the Piltdown Man supposedly dated back as far as one million years old. The Piltdown Man was considered one of the greatest archeological finds in England, until it was not. All of the truths surrounding the facts were not uncovered until 1953 by groups of scientists. Fluorine and Carbon testing revealed the dating of the fossils, in addition to their true origins. The Fluorine testing proved that the skull fragments could be no more than 600 years old as opposed to one million, making them a significantly less impressive find by Darwin (History). The carbon testing did prove it was a human skull, but revealed the jawbone belonged to an orangutan. Even as notorious as this hoax was, no one has ever come forward claiming responsibility or offering any information on who actually constructed the notorious hoax.

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Nationalism is clearly the main motivation behind the Piltdown Man hoax. Many of the surrounding European countries were in a race with each other to claim the origin of intellectual humanoids (Feder 73). A strong influence from the other popular motifs can be ruled out considering that no one came forth in claiming the hoax, nor with any solid information on who may have done it. By having no single individual benefit from the hoax, no one can blame the desire for money and fame as a cause for the event. Religion is also ruled out due to the pure evolutionary aspect of the hoax. The only thing to gain from the Piltdown Man hoax was pride in the country of England and the ability to one-up competing foes. Obviously, if national pride reflected the benefit derived from the hoax, there were more than enough Englishmen fueling the story. Nationalism was the driving power behind one of the most notorious and, in a way, successful hoaxes of all time. The Cardiff Giant hoax is also one of the most well-known hoaxes in history. The Cardiff Giant was a ten foot tall stone man that was uncovered in Cardiff, New York in 1869 by William C. Stub Newell, as recounted by The Museum of Hoaxes (Cardiff Giant). It was believed by many to be a petrified giant from ancient biblical times (Feder 51). The origin of the fossil is credited to George Hull, the mastermind who devised, designed, and conspired with his relative, Newell, in order to create the massive, fooling sculpture (Cardiff Giant). The fossil was actually a very detailed and manually weathered stone sculpture formed into the shape of an enormous man. The remarkable story of the discovery spread and soon thousands of people were making the journey out to Stub Newell's farm (Cardiff Giant). Before long, Newell began to charge admission to see the fossil. Enthusiasm by the public never lessened, despite the fact that Yale paleontologist, Othniel C. Marsh, pointed out that the statue was a fake based on the

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fact that the chisel marks were still plainly visible on it (Cardiff Giant). The statue gained such fame that P.T. Barnum attempted, but failed, to purchase it as a side show act (Feder 60). The popularity of the hoax has now turned into a New York tourist attraction, where admission is still being charged to the over-enthused public. The relatives, Hull and Newell, incorporated two different motives into their hoax. Money was unquestionably the main incentive behind the execution of the Cardiff Giant hoax. Hull and Newell knew from the beginning that they wanted to plan a get-rich-quick scheme. All they had to do at that point was find an idea they were certain would work. Religion exists as a type of secondary motive for this hoax as well. The relatives used the publics need to find truth in their religious to make money for themselves. As The Museum of Hoaxes points out, they used the fake giant to poke fun at Biblical literalists willing to pay to confirm their beliefs (Cardiff Giant). Monetary gain was the basis of the relatives plan, and their ability to play off religious tales provided the grand design for the final product. Archaeological hoaxes do mock some historical and religious ideas, and they can con people out of a few bucks, but in actuality, they are much more serious than concepts and cash. After all, archeology is depicted as the key to our past, which means that some of these hoaxes have a much greater impact than intended. Hoaxes have the ability to alter our historical knowledge. What may have started out as a funny prank can soon turn into a new page in the history books; the fakes can become facts and the effect can be lasting. Based on the quality of the hoax, they undoubtedly have the potential to change history, our history. Hoaxes are not always exposed for the truth overnight. As mentioned earlier, the Piltdown Man hoax withheld over 40 years of scrutiny and was only able to be debunked with chemical testing and modern

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advances in science and technology. While history does not always reveal interesting and significant events of our past, hoaxes cloud the possibility of it educating toward the truth. Hoaxes are the dark marks on the history pages, yet people still find a reason to create them.

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Works Cited alawilson. The Archaeological Hoax. Real Archeology. WordPress. Web. 2 December 2013. Boese, Alex. The Cardiff Giant, 1869. Museum of Hoaxes. The Museum of Hoaxes. n.d. Web. 5 December 2013. Feder, Kenneth. Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries. 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print. Hoax. Websters Dictionary of the English Language. 2013. Print Jackson, Brittany, and Mark Rose. Bogus! An Introduction to Dubious Discoveries. Archaeology Archive. Archeological Institute of America. 2009. Web. 23 November 2013. Pruitt, Sarah. Piltdown Man Hoax, 100 Years Ago. History. A&E Television Networks. 18 December 2012. Web. 4 December 2013. The Piltdown Man 1958. PBS.org. WGBH, 1998. Web. 10 November 2013.