The Cardiff Giant and Piltdown Man were both human evolutionary hoaxes that captivated their respective nations and generated staggering amounts of money. However, each hoax had their own motivations. Beginning with the Piltdown Man in 19th century England, the global evolutionary context was at its height as every other major European nation began discovering human fossils. However, England was the only major power that did not have a significant evolutionary discovery. In addition, as professionals debated the varying ways in humans could have evolved the “brain-centered” theory of evolution was being discredited by these archaeological finds in Europe. The brain-centered theory of evolution claims that the human brain evolved first, and the modern physiology followed. The fossils that many European nations were uncovering did not appear to be supporting this popular theory. So, in 1908, Charles Dawson “discovered” skull fragments in the Piltdown region of England followed by more cranial and jaw fragments in the following years. The discoveries appeared to support the brain-centered theory through a modern appearing skull and ape-like jaw. From 1949-1953, the hoax was uncovered as the skull and jaw had both been physically manipulated and planted. Dawson conducted this hoax motivated by nationalism, fame, and scientific ideology. This Piltdown Man put England on the map and brought them into the European conversation concerning evolutionary finds. It also served as the “missing link” for the brain-centered theory that was slowly dwindling. Finally, Dawson’s discovery brought him unprecedented fame and notoriety.
Turning to the Cardiff Giant “found” in 1869 in the town of Cardiff, New York on the farm of Stub Newell. The giant was a 10ft fossilized man with 21-inch feet and 3-foot-wide shoulders that immediately became an exhibit and tourist destination. Newell made the modern equivalent of millions after selling ¾ of the rights and ticket prices as the giant was moved to Syracuse. However, the hoax was discovered quickly as a giant carved from stone and buried one year prior to the “discovery” of the giant. George Hull readily confessed to conducting the hoax motivated by the desire to prove that the Bible is filled with tall tales only the gullible would believe such as the giants cited in the Old Testament. Hull was motivated as an atheist that had argued with a minister and wanted to prove him wrong, so he purchased land in Iowa to have the stone quarried, shipped it to a sculptor in Chicago, and then sent to Newell to bury for future discovery. All the other individuals connected to the hoax were mostly motivated by the staggering amounts of money the hoax pulled in.
Both hoaxers were looking for money and to support their own ideologies that conflicted with those around them. They both wanted to prove someone wrong whether it be a Christian minister or professional findings against the brain-centered theory. The Piltdown Man was successful in part because it put England on the map in an industry, they were previously absent from and had professional museum curators supporting the finds. This made the findings appear legitimate, and the physical manipulation of the bones was extremely well done with white putty and paint. In a similar fashion, the Cardiff Giant was successful because it appeared to support the Biblical literalism of giants roaming the Earth and had two other replicas made. The entire town made money from the exhibits as well. People wanted to believe both hoaxes because it supported their personal beliefs whether it be biblical literalism or the brain-centered theory of evolution. Both hoaxes offered “valid” evidence for both ideologies and significant members of society were engaging with them furthering supporting their significance to the public.
In terms of the impact on the scientific understanding of the past, the Piltdown Man resulted in the creation of the “Piltdown Forgery” which is used to discredit evolutionary theory. Chick Publishing even published small handbooks titled “Big Daddy” that include cartoons about scientists finding “fake” human fossils and cite the Piltdown hoax. The Cardiff Giant also contributed to the growing anti-evolutionary sect through Biblical literalism. Some fervent believers claim that scientists found more evidence of giants but refuse to share the information with the public. Some people particularly accuse the Smithsonian of hiding a collection of giant fossils and further evidence. In terms of both hoaxes I would have to agree with the implication that both examples demonstrate the self-corrective nature of science. While both the Piltdown discovery and Cardiff Giant had prominent members of society and scientists involved in conducting the hoax, there were still a fair number of skeptics within the scientific industry. The Cardiff Giant was almost immediately disproven by journalists and scientists alike who tracked the giant. Despite the mass amounts of economic stimulation that the giant brought to New York, some scientists could not allow the hoax to persist and insult the painstakingly studied evolutionary theory. In addition, the Piltdown Man skeptics emerged in the years immediately following the discovery. Those who adamantly supported evolutionary theory and not the brain-centered theory were quickly to examine the fragments and deem them fraudulent. Scientists asserted the Piltdown Man was a hoax as early as 1915, but many remained committed to fully proving the hoax false all the way through the 1950s with DNA testing. I think the continuing scientific dedication to unraveling both hoaxes regardless of their monetary implications proves that science is constantly self-correcting, and no one claim is above reexamination or investigation. True scientists and those within the community will not allow false claims or hoaxes to tarnish the proven and evidence-based discoveries in the name of nationalism, money, or fame.
Maddy Dwyer