Piltdown Hoax

The Piltdown Hoax was a learning lesson in the scientific field. In the early 1900’s in Sussex, England, a laborer discovered a piece of skull who then passed it on to an archaeologist, Charles Dawson. This piece of skull was rather important because it was thought to be of an early man, which would have been a first in England whose rival Germany was considered the birthplace of early man. Darwin believed the piece of skull was a puzzle piece of information for early man and evolution. As they found more remains of early animals and other prehistoric items they came across an ape like jawbone with teeth similar to a human and believed it to me the missing link. The newest find of the jawbone was a breakthrough for he scientific world because it showed similarities of a human and ape. Sir Arthur Smith Woodward a geologist and archeologist Teilhard de Chardin collaborated with Dawson on his discovery and when presented to the public the trio and the location of Piltdown became famous around the world for what was considered he earliest human ancestor. Piltdown Man was then called a hoax after 40 years since its finding, test were conducted to find out the nitrogen context it was concluded that the jaw was from a different age, the teeth filed down, skull stained, and possibly from an orangutan, not a humans. It was all then a mystery as to if Darwin and Chardin, and Woodward were in on the hoax, if they knew it wasn’t authentic, and if they created the idea that it was of early man.

            Human faults were the principle reason to why it negatively impacted the scientific process. Since the case was not fully solved as to who specifically was behind the hoax it could have been done for pride and rivalry reasons, especially since the finding was around the time that World War 1 was beginning and England was against Germany. Also, if both pieces of skull were further studied by outside sources rather than it be isolated by other scientist, the hoax could have been solved a lot earlier. It was during a time that people wanted certain answers and a specific answer and wanted to believe what was most convenient.

            When others tested the pieces of the skull, it was not until then, that it was revealed that the skull was not as old as previously believed. In the Natural History Museum, mineral department, test were conducted to estimate the nitrogen content of the skull. It was also then realized that the jaw was not of human, fossils were boiled and stained with chemicals to appear aged. It was until after the World War that newer technology was introduced to measure fluorine content in fossils that scientist could then roughly estimate the date of it.

            I think it is possible to remove “human” factors from science to certiain extent because I believe that human factors have the potential to further solve cases but also do the opposite, like in the beginning of this hoax. I believe that with the addition of science, technology, and further research, the human factor can add success to solution. I personally would not want to remove the human factor in science because the human factor has a great impact in science. It is because of human factors that science is more modern and newer discoveries have been made.       The most important lesson that I learned in this historical event is to not truly believe in something until it has been researched and tested by numerous qualified individuals. I would be more skeptical, ask questions, and do my own investigations before taking information from unverified sources. Another important lesson is that regardless of the faith, nationality, or beliefs, always keeps an open mind to other things in life.