Piltdown: A Scientific Forgery - Hardcover

Spencer, Frank

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198585225 ISBN 13: 9780198585220

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1990

Synopsis

The fragments of a skull found in the gravels at Piltdown in Sussex in 1912 were presented as the fossil remains of an early human form, and as such created a sensation at the time. During the next 40 years it became increasingly difficult to reconcile the Piltdown remains with later additions to the human fossil record, and there was growing suspicion about their authenticity. In the 1950s detailed scientific examination of the Piltdown material demonstrated conclusively that it had been deliberately faked. There was much speculation about the identity of the hoaxer, but no clear-cut evidence was forthcoming and the question has since remained in abeyance. Dr Spencer has made an extensive study of the original documents and the other available evidence, which he presents in this book, together with a new case for the identity of the individual responsible for the forgery. This volume and its companion, "The Piltdown Papers" will be of interest to all those studying the history of the 20th century and the nature of scientific enquiry.

About this title

About the Author

About the Author:
Frank Spencer is Professor of Anthropology at Queens College, City University of New York.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198585225
• ISBN 13: 9780198585220
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 298