DescriptionA set of skull fragments presented in 1913 to be an apelike jaw and claiming to be the missing evolutionary link between ancient and modern humans, but revealed to be an elaborate hoax. Supposedly found at a site near Lewes in Sussex. In 1953, analysis by fluorine test and other methods showed that the skull was indeed of Homo sapiens combined with the jaw of a modern orangutan. Between 1953 and 1955 it was shown that these objects were mostly doctored fakes, and had all been introduced to the site (see linked publications).
Site Name
Piltdown
Description
A set of skull fragments presented in 1913 to be an apelike jaw and claiming to be the missing evolutionary link between ancient and modern humans, but revealed to be an elaborate hoax. Supposedly found at a site near…
A set of skull fragments presented in 1913 to be an apelike jaw and claiming to be the missing evolutionary link between ancient and modern humans, but revealed to be an elaborate hoax. Supposedly found at a site near Lewes in Sussex. In 1953, analysis by fluorine test and other methods showed that the skull was indeed of Homo sapiens combined with the jaw of a modern orangutan. Between 1953 and 1955 it was shown that these objects were mostly doctored fakes, and had all been introduced to the site (see linked publications).
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Citation
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Page Citation for Piltdown
Page Citation
"Site Details - Piltdown, Bryan/Gruhn Archaeology Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/7-181/17-24369. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.