15 Fake Artifacts That Fooled Experts

Artifacts are supposed to connect us to the past, but sometimes, they’re nothing more than clever forgeries. From ancient-looking statues to “lost” relics, even seasoned experts have been deceived by elaborate fakes. Here are 15 fake artifacts that tricked the world before being exposed as frauds.

1. 1. The Piltdown Man Skull

In 1912, scientists celebrated the discovery of a “missing link” between humans and apes in England. The skull was later revealed to be a mix of human remains and an orangutan jaw. It misled anthropology for decades before the fraud came to light.

2. 2. The Crystal Skulls

These intricately carved quartz skulls were said to be mystical relics of ancient Mesoamerican cultures. Testing later proved they were made with modern tools. Despite the debunking, they remain popular in pop culture.

3. 3. The Vinland Map

The Vinland Map was once hailed as proof that Vikings reached North America before Columbus. This map caused a sensation. Chemical analysis exposed modern ink on the parchment. It turned out to be a 20th-century creation.

4. 4. The Tiara of Saitaphernes

Acquired by the Louvre in 1896, the golden tiara was believed to belong to a Scythian king. Later, the museum learned it was the work of a skilled Russian craftsman. The embarrassment was a major blow to the institution’s credibility.

5. 5. The Shroud of Turin

This cloth, the Shroud of Turin, believed to bear the image of Jesus, drew both reverence and scrutiny. Radiocarbon dating placed it in the Middle Ages, not biblical times. Though many still see it as sacred, science says otherwise.

6. 6. The Praeneste Fibula

The Praeneste Fibula, an inscribed golden brooch, was hailed as the oldest example of Latin writing. In 2011, researchers confirmed it was forged in the 19th century. For years, it had been a prized piece in Italian archaeology.

7. 7. The James Ossuary

Announced in 2002, this limestone box supposedly contained the remains of Jesus’ brother James. The inscription was partially authentic, but the key wording was added later. Courts ruled it a forgery despite heated debate.

8. 8. The Amarna Princess Statue

Manchester’s museum proudly displayed an Egyptian figure gifted by a local family. In truth, it was only believed to be sculpted by a British forger in his garage. Experts missed the obvious signs of a fake for years.

9. 9. The Etruscan Terracotta Warriors

The Metropolitan Museum of Art purchased massive statues believed to be from ancient Italy. They were actually modern creations made with faulty techniques. Once cracked, they literally fell apart under examination.

10. 10. The Hitler Diaries

In the 1980s, German publishers unveiled journals supposedly written by Adolf Hitler himself. Handwriting experts and historians at that time were originally fooled at first. They were later exposed as clumsy modern fakes.

11. 11. The Calaveras Skull

Unearthed in California in 1866, the skull was claimed as proof of ancient humans in North America. It turned out someone had planted it as a prank. Despite being debunked, it lingered in scientific debates for years.

12. 12. The Kensington Runestone

Discovered in Minnesota in 1898, the Kensington Runestone was said to prove Viking exploration of America. Linguistic errors revealed that it was carved in the 19th century. Still, some locals defend its authenticity to this day.

13. 13. The Glozel Tablets

In France, a farmer uncovered stones inscribed with mysterious symbols, now known as the Glozel Tablets. Scholars argued fiercely over whether they were ancient or forged. Modern studies confirmed they were fabricated in the 1920s.

14. 14. The Baghdad Battery

The Baghdad Battery, known as a jar that was claimed to be an ancient electrical device. However, skeptics pointed out there’s no evidence it was ever used as a battery. While it’s intriguing, it’s more myth than science.

15. 15. The Phaistos Disc

Found in Crete, this clay disc with stamped symbols baffled linguists. Some suggest it’s authentic, but many believe it was a 20th-century invention placed to stir excitement. Its mystery remains unsolved, leaving room for doubt.

• Tags:
• fake artifacts
• historical forgeries
• archaeology hoaxes
• forged treasures