•Teeth had been filed down to
make them appear human-like.
•Bones had been treated with
chemicals to increase the appearance of their age.
Forty years
later the ape-like jawbone was found to be
a fraud.
Piltdown
Man is now recognized as one of the most spectacular and longest enduring
frauds in the history of modern science.
In 1953 scientists
subjected the find to chemical analysis which proved the ape-like jawbone was
of recent origin. Close inspection also revealed file marks on the teeth,
which had been shortened to make them appear human-like. In addition, the
bones had been treated with chemicals to increase the appearance of their
age. It was quickly concluded that the jaw had been intentionally planted,
and bore no resemblance to the human skull, which was later determined
to be from the Middle Ages. Later in 1982, collagen testing proved
conclusively that the jawbone was from an Orangutan.
