Watch Hoax or History: The Michigan Relics

Hoax or History: The Michigan Relics is a documentary film that explores the controversial discovery of ancient artifacts in the United States during the 19th century. The film takes a critical look at the history of the Michigan Relics, a collection of strange and mysterious objects found in Michigan during the mid-1800s that were hailed by some as authentic evidence of pre-Columbian contact between Europeans and Native Americans.

The film begins by introducing viewers to the story of James Scotford, a farmer from Michigan who, in 1890, discovered a cache of ancient artifacts while plowing his fields. The objects were unlike anything seen before in the region and included carved stones, pottery shards, and other relics that appeared to depict scenes of ancient life in North America.

News of the discovery quickly spread, and soon archaeologists and historians from around the country descended on the small town of Iosco County in search of answers. The artifacts were heralded as groundbreaking evidence of a lost civilization that had existed in Michigan long before the arrival of Europeans.

However, almost as soon as the excitement began, controversy began to swirl around the Michigan Relics. Skeptics claimed that the objects were nothing more than clever forgeries created by Scotford or someone else with an interest in fooling the public. Some academics argued that the artifacts were not only fake but also reflected a deep-seated racism that sought to erase the contributions of Native Americans to the development of the continent.

Hoax or History: The Michigan Relics takes a deep dive into this controversy, using interviews with experts and archival footage to present both sides of the debate. On one hand, viewers hear from advocates of the Michigan Relics who argue that they represent important evidence of pre-Columbian contact and push back against accusations of racism.

On the other hand, skeptics and critics of the relics argue that the evidence for their authenticity is thin at best and that the archaeological community's excitement says more about the biases and assumptions of 19th-century society than it does about the actual historical record.

Throughout the film, viewers are taken on a journey through Michigan's history, exploring the state's long and complicated relationship with the rest of North America. They are also introduced to the various factions and individuals that were involved in the controversy surrounding the Michigan Relics, including the scientists and academics who clashed over the objects' authenticity.

Ultimately, viewers are left to decide for themselves whether the Michigan Relics are genuine historical artifacts or clever forgeries created to boost Michigan's reputation and enhance the status of the state's diverse inhabitants. Through interviews with experts and archival footage, Hoax or History: The Michigan Relics provides a fascinating look at a little-known chapter in American history and asks whether the past is truly dead or just waiting to be rediscovered.