The Michigan Relics: In the late 19th century, James Scotford and Daniel Soper “discovered” thousands of artifacts—clay tablets, pipes, and inscribed stones—purportedly proving ancient Hebrews or Egyptians visited pre-Columbian North America. Endorsed by some locals and even displayed in a museum, the relics featured strange scripts and biblical motifs. Experts quickly denounced them as crude forgeries, noting modern tool marks and anachronistic designs. The Smithsonian rejected them. Investigations revealed Scotford made them in his basement. The hoax persisted for decades due to religious and nationalist beliefs. The Michigan Relics exemplify how cultural desire for ancient transoceanic contact can fuel and sustain archaeological fraud.
Add Comment + Vote ( 1 )...
There are currently no comments !