12 Hoaxes That Took Decades to Debunk

History is full of elaborate deceptions. They managed to fool entire societies. Many of these hoaxes lived on for decades before evidence finally exposed them. Here are 12 of the most persistent hoaxes that stood the test of time before being debunked.

1. 1. The Piltdown Man (1912–1953)

Hailed as the missing link between humans and apes, the fossil fooled scientists for over 40 years. It was later revealed to be a human skull combined with an orangutan’s jaw. The exposure reshaped anthropology and embarrassed experts worldwide.

2. 2. The Cardiff Giant (1869–1949)

This supposed petrified giant was “discovered” in New York and toured as a sensation. Despite early suspicions, it remained popular for decades. Only in the mid-20th century was it fully acknowledged as a carved stone hoax.

3. 3. The Cottingley Fairies (1917–1980s)

Two young girls claimed to have photographed real fairies in their garden. Even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle believed them. The girls admitted to the prank decades later, though some insisted one photo might be genuine.

4. 4. The Loch Ness Monster Photos (1934–1994)

The famous “Surgeon’s Photograph” appeared to prove the existence of Nessie. For 60 years, it was considered the best evidence of the creature. However, in the 1990s, it was revealed to be a toy submarine with a fake head.

5. 5. The Great Moon Hoax (1835–1850s)

The New York Sun reported that astronomers had discovered life on the moon, including bat-like creatures. The story spread rapidly, and many readers accepted it as fact. It took years before the paper admitted the tale was fabricated.

6. 6. The Shroud of Turin (1350s–1988)

The shroud of Turin was long believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus; it drew pilgrims for centuries. Carbon dating in the 1980s proved it was a medieval creation. Despite the science, debates about its authenticity continue even today.

7. 7. The Tasaday Tribe (1971–1986)

The Philippine government announced the discovery of a “Stone Age tribe.” For 15 years, anthropologists studied them until journalists exposed the entire story as staged. It remains one of anthropology’s most infamous hoaxes.

8. 8. The Alien Autopsy Film (1995–2006)

A grainy black-and-white video appeared to show doctors dissecting a Roswell alien. The film circulated worldwide and further fueled the lore of the existence of UFOs. Over a decade later, the filmmaker admitted it was staged using props.

9. 9. The Etruscan Terracotta Warriors (1915–1960s)

Displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the statues were thought to be genuine ancient works. They fooled experts for nearly 50 years. Scientific testing in the 1960s finally revealed they were modern forgeries.

10. 10. The Oera Linda Book (1867–1870s, exposed in 20th century)

This Oera Linda Book was presented as an ancient Frisian chronicle. It fascinated nationalist groups for decades before scholars confirmed it was a 19th-century invention. The myth lingered long into the 20th century.

11. 11. The Calaveras Skull (1866–1909)

Claimed to prove humans lived in North America millions of years ago, this skull caused heated debates. It remained in textbooks and lectures for decades. Only in the early 20th century was it revealed to be a planted hoax.

12. 12. The Shakespeare Forgeries (1790s–1805)

William Henry Ireland produced “lost” Shakespeare manuscripts that excited collectors. His forgeries deceived the literary world for years before exposure. Even after being discredited, the fakes circulated for decades as curiosities.

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• famous hoaxes
• historical frauds
• debunked myths
• hoax history