Synopses & Reviews
Ancient astronauts? Atlantis? Psychic archaeology? Pharaohs curses? Committed to the scientific investigation of human antiquity, this indispensable supplementary text uses interesting archaeological hoaxes, myths, and mysteries to show how we can truly know things about the past through science. The text presents examples of fantastic findings, and carefully, logically, and entertainingly describes the flaws in the purported evidence for each fantastic claim; readers can hone their own evaluative skills by example.
Synopsis
FRAUDS, MYTHS, AND MYSTERIES is an increasingly indispensable supplementary text that uses interesting archaeological hoaxes, myths, and mysteries to show how we can truly know things about the past through science.
Synopsis
Ancient astronauts? Atlantis? Psychic archaeology? Committed to the scientific investigation of human antiquity, this indispensable supplementary text uses interesting archaeological hoaxes, myths, and mysteries to show how we can truly know things about the past through science.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Science and PseudoscienceBelief in the EnbelievablePseudoscience and ArchaeologyWhy I Wrote This BookChapter 2: Epistemology: How You Know What You KnowKnowing ThingsScience: Playing by the RulesThe Workings of ScienceThe Case of Childbed FeverThe Science and Nonscience: The Essential DifferencesThe Art of ScienceScience and ArchaeologyChapter 3: Anatomy of an Archaeological HoaxThe Cardiff Giant: The Goliath of New YorkWhy Did They Do It?Current Perspectives: FraudsChapter 4: Dawsons Dawn Man: The Hoax at PiltdownThe Evolutionary ContextA Remarkable Discovery in SussexThe Piltdown EnigmaWhodunnit?The Lesson of PiltdownCurrent Perspectives: Human EvolutionChapter 5: Who Discovered America?America's First PeopleWho's Next? After the Indians, Before ColumbusEuropeans in America: The Norse Discovery of AmericaOther Voyagers, Other VisitorsAmerica BC?Current Perspectives: The Peopling of the AmericasChapter 6. The Myth of the MoundbuildersThe Myth of a Vanished RaceWho Were the Moundbuilders? Identifying the Vanished RaceThe Moundbuilder Mystery SolvedRationale for the Myth of a Vanished RaceCurrent Perspectives: The MoundbuildersChapter 7: Lost: One ContinentRewardAtlantis: Where Are You?Atlantis: The Source of the LegendAfter PlatoCurrent Perspectives: AtlantisChapter 8: Prehistoric E.T.: The Fantasy of Ancient AstronautsGods in Fiery ChariotsThe Archaeology of MarsCurrent Perspectives:The von Daniken PhenomenonChapter 9: Mysterious EgyptWhen Did People Get This Smart?Ancient EgyptCurrent Perspectives: Secrets of the PyramidsChapter 10: Good Vibrations: Psychics and DowsersPsychic ArchaeologyDowsing Instead of DiggingCurrent Perspectives: Archaeology Without DiggingChapter 11: Old-Time ReligionNew Age VisionsScientific CreationismThe Shroud of TurinNew Age PrehistoryCurrent Perspectives: Religions Old and NewChapter 12: Real Mysteries of a Veritable Past The Cave Painters of EuropeThe Civilization of EuropeThe Civilization of the MayaStonehengeConclusion: A Past We Deserve