Faked Japanese Paleolithic Archaeology

Faked Japanese Paleolithic Archaeology

An article which we missed some months ago in the The Scotsman refers to the recent story of a Japanese archaeologist who faked top finds of artifacts to make his archaeological reputation.

Much of Japanese paleolithic history will have to be "rewritten" as a result.

The archaeologist was only caught by a hidden camera as he himself "pre-buried" a future find out of a plastic bag in his pocket. This has been going on for 30 years.

In fact:

"[the archaeologist] entirely fabricated his astonishing finds at 159 of the 178 sites he worked on...."

How could such a thing have happened?

Interesting as an explanation is the quote at the end of the article:

"Young archaeologists do not challenge revered senior scholars," said Hisao Baba, an anthropologist at the National Science Museum. "It is extremely difficult to directly deny others' work because it is taken as a grave personal and professional insult."

We are often very critical about the overall discipline of mainstream archaeology, and frankly, it is often justified.

US historic preservation laws, regulations, standards and guidelines

Via ArchaeologyOnline we are directed to a list of links on federal US historic preservation laws, regulations, standards and guidelines.

American Scientist Online - We Are All Africans

Here is an interesting article by Pat Shipman at American Scientist Online - We Are All Africans.

The "out-of-Africa" theory has been around a long time, but it is only recently that the "multi-regionalists" are beginning to have to bow to the overwhelming evidence.

Historic Scotland - Carved Stones

Historic Scotland - News writes that Frank McAveety, Scotland's Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, has launched a 3-month consultation by "Historic Scotland" on protection, preservation and presentation of the carved stones in Scotland.

The consultation document is available here at Historic Scotland and comment can be submitted pursuant to these guidelines.

Geometry from the Land of the Incas

Look at this beautiful website about Geometry from the Land of the Incas. Problems, theorems, proofs, quizzes, with animations and sounds. Euclidean Geometry.

Neanderthal "face" found in Loire

The BBC has a story by Jonathan Amos,
BBC News Online science staff, entitled Neanderthal 'face' found in Loire

As written there:
>font color="#6D87A2">"A flint object with a striking likeness to a human face may be one of the best examples of art by Neanderthal man ever found, the journal Antiquity reports."

Ancient carved 'faces' found

BBC News has a story by Dr David Whitehouse, BBC News Online science editor, entitled Ancient carved 'faces' found.

The article states:
"A keen-eyed archaeologist claims to have found some of the oldest artwork ever - carved faces 200,000 years old."

The dating is preposterous, but we agree that the human images are actualy carved onto these stones.

There is also more on rock art in the article.