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Site Details

Piltdown

Bryan/Gruhn Archaeology Collection Read more about this collection »

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).

Citation

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.

Publications

Author Kipfer, Barbara Ann
Title Archaeology Wordsmith

Site Information

There are 2 specimens from this Item Group

996.1.1 - gravel matrix sample

Bryan/Gruhn Archaeology Collection

Object Typematrix sample Place CollectedEurope: England, East Sussex, Piltdown Quarry Date Collected1912

996.1.1a - retouched flake

Bryan/Gruhn Archaeology Collection

Object Typeflake Place CollectedEurope: England, East Sussex, Piltdown Quarry