14 Times Historical Records Were Faked or Forged
Throughout history, from ancient manuscripts to modern forgeries, deceptive fabrications have twisted our understanding of the past, sparking intrigue, scandal, and a never-ending quest for truth.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
History isn’t always recorded by the winners. Occasionally, it’s revised by forgers. From Hitler’s fabricated diaries to medieval writings that awarded the Pope phony authority, forged documents have misdirected scholars, encouraged conspiracy theories, and influenced public opinion for years or even centuries. This anthology exposes some of history’s most compelling and manipulative fictions, and shows how falsehoods travel more quickly and stay longer than facts.
1. The Hitler Diaries (1983)
Image from Wikipedia
Der Stern magazine released what were claimed to be Adolf Hitler’s diaries in 1983, detailing his private thoughts and actions. The diaries were eventually found to be forgeries, constructed using materials not available in Hitler’s day. The scandal reflected poorly on the magazine, and the forger was eventually put in prison.
2. The Vinland Map (1960s)
Image from Wikipedia
The Vinland Map, found in the 1960s, was said to be a medieval map depicting the Viking discovery of North America centuries earlier than Columbus. The experts initially thought that it was real, but subsequent analysis showed the ink used in the map to be a recent formula, leading to the inference that it was an advanced forgery. The finding generated controversies regarding historical confirmation and the trustworthiness of ancient records.
3. The Piltdown Man (1912)
Image from Australian Museum
In 1912, pieces of a skull were unearthed in Piltdown, England, sparking assertions of a missing link in human development. The fossil was celebrated as the “missing link” between apes and human beings for several decades, but in 1953, it was exposed as a hoax, composed of orangutan skull fragments and human bones artfully blended. The forgery delayed the discipline of paleontology by years and undermined scientific confidence.
4. The Donation of Constantine (8th Century)
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The Donation of Constantine was a forged letter stating that Emperor Constantine had donated huge territories to the Pope in the 4th century. It was employed to legitimize the political authority of the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages. Scholars later revealed it as a forgery in the 15th century, discrediting the Church’s claims to territorial sovereignty.
5. The Sodom Manuscript (2000s)
Image from The New York Times
The Sodom Manuscript was an alleged ancient manuscript that contained revelations concerning the biblical city of Sodom. It was reported in the early 2000s, but soon, experts noted inconsistencies in language and style, making it obvious that it was a forgery. It later turned out that the manuscript had been constructed in a contemporary context, and attempts were made to sell it as an antique.
6. The Tammany Hall Letters (1910s)
Image from Library of Congress
During the early 1910s, tampered letters supposedly unveiled corrupt transactions under Tammany Hall, New York’s infamous political machine. Though most people assumed them to be genuine at the beginning, handwriting examination and history later confirmed they were forged as a ploy to tarnish political leaders’ reputations. The intentions behind the forgery are still ambiguous, but the scandal infused added depth to the political history of New York.
7. The Somerset Light Infantry Letter (2000s)
Image from Bates and Hindmarch
A supposed letter by a Somerset Light Infantry soldier in the 19th century surfaced during an auction in the early 2000s. Upon examination, experts found inconsistencies in handwriting, paper type, and ink and discovered the letter to be a recent forgery. The forgery was tracked to a scheme to profit from historical military memorabilia.
8. The Hitler’s Table Talk (1950s)
Image from Goodreads
Following World War II, a series of books purporting to be Hitler’s Table Talk appeared, allegedly transcripts of Hitler’s off-the-record remarks. Subsequent investigations proved the transcripts were forged by a Nazi sympathizer to provide a skewed version of history. The forgery took advantage of post-war paranoia and the desire for insider information on the Nazi regime.
9. The Cadbury “Chocolate” Forgery (1910s)
Image from Reddit
In the early 1900s, a so-called manuscript was discovered, recording the secret recipe for an ancient “chocolate” once enjoyed by royalty. The paper was touted as revolutionary, but further examination showed that the recipe was probably penned in the 20th century. The forgery was a bid by a would-be vendor to take advantage of the expanding chocolate market.
10. The Hitler Youth Photographs (1940s)
Image from Facing History
A collection of photographs depicting Hitler Youth participating in activities was originally believed to be authentic, but many years later, it was revealed that some of the photos were staged for propaganda reasons. Specifically, some of the photographs had been designed carefully to enhance the perception of idealized unity. This type of visual manipulation contributed to Nazi propaganda mythos.
11. The Nuremberg Chronicle (1493)
Image from Wikipedia
Although The Nuremberg Chronicle is an important historical document of the late 15th century, it includes intentional forgeries and additions in its portrayal of early Christian history. Historical figures were sometimes created to enhance their importance or sanctity. The chronicle’s combination of fact and legend made it a valuable but misleading document in creating historical accounts.
12. The “Shakespeare” Plays (18th Century)
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The idea that some of William Shakespeare’s plays were actually penned by others became popular in the 18th century when speculations pointed to Christopher Marlowe or Francis Bacon as actual authors. Although such accusations were later discredited, the issue of the “Shakespeare authorship question” remains a question of historical accounts. The debate, however, was brought about by forgeries designed to question the legacy of the renowned playwright.
13. The “Prince’s Men” Diaries (2010s)
Image from Britannica
A collection of purported diaries composed by members of the “Prince’s Men,” a company in 16th-century England that was said to serve Prince Edward, was found in the 2010s. The diaries drew attention rapidly due to their colorful description of court life, but linguistic examination and historical research showed them to be modern forgeries. The fakes were probably fabricated to be sold as historic relics in the emerging market for scarce documents.
14. The Dead Sea Scrolls forgeries (2002-2003)
Image from Smithsonian Magazine
During the early 2000s, a group of Dead Sea Scroll fragments called the “Post-2002 Dead Sea Scrolls” were purchased by collectors. Scholars later revealed they were forgeries, forged using ancient materials but written in contemporary ink. The scandal tightened controls on selling historical artifacts and questioned the authenticity of other “rare” texts from the time.