Piltdown Hoax

The Piltdown hoax was a situation in which someone forged fossils that seemed like they were a lot older than they actually were and of a different species than the original bones.  The fossils were found at a site in Piltdown in the England in 1912 by geologist Charles Dawson. At that time the fossils were significant because they suggested that humans developed a large brain before they walked upright. This discovery caused different effects on the scientific community because the fossils were thought to be the oldest human fossil remains. These fossils could be used as evidence of Darwin’s theory.

            The biggest human fault that came into play was self-interest. The scientists involved in the finding of these fossils were very focused on how the findings benefited them. Because their focus was on self rather than science, objectivity no longer was a factor in the evaluation of the fossils. Like the video states, any evidence that may have disputed one of the scientist’s theory could have been thrown out. They accepted evidence that supported their theories. Their lack of objectivity greatly impacts the scientific process because they choose what lines up with their ideas rather than what is true and proven.

            A positive aspect of the scientific method that was responsible for revealing the skull to be a fraud was further investigation using more advanced tools. Scientists that were not involved in the finding of the fossils and therefore more objective, ran chemical tests that proved that the fossils were not as old as first imagined. They also looked at the teeth under a microscope which proved that the teeth were filed down to the size that they were indicating that the fossils may have been forged.

            I don’t think that it is possible to remove the “human factor” from science to reduce the chance of errors like this happening again. Everyone has their own agendas and often hears what they want to hear so to speak. I wouldn’t want to remove the human factor from science because it is that human factor that leads the way to new discoveries and innovations based on different scientists’ passions and biases. I think it is just important to make sure that things are cross-checked and the scientific method is used properly.

            The most important life lesson to take away from this historical event is to always get the facts straight. It is important when doing any type of research to cross check things and make sure that sources are reputable. It is important to not believe everything that is told to you without proper verification. It is also important to be skeptical about things in order to make sure that what you’re accepting as fact truly is factual and not based on opinion or biased research.