NOVA Season 32 Episode 10 The Boldest Hoax

The NOVA season 32 episode 10 titled "The Boldest Hoax" takes viewers on a journey through history to examine the authenticity of one of the most famous scientific discoveries of all time, the "Piltdown Man." This archaeological hoax, which fooled the scientific community for over 40 years, was first discovered in a gravel pit in Piltdown, England, in 1912.

The Piltdown Man was believed to be the "missing link" between apes and humans, a key piece of evidence in the theory of evolution. However, in the 1950s, it was revealed that the skull fragments and jawbone found at Piltdown were forgeries. The bones were a combination of human and ape remains that were manipulated and stained to appear much older than they were.

In "The Boldest Hoax," NOVA sets out to uncover who was behind the Piltdown Man forgery and why it was created. Scientists, historians, and experts in the field of forensic science come together to examine the evidence and delve into the motivations behind the deception.

One theory is that the forgery was meant to discredit the scientific community's acceptance of evolution and Darwin's theory of natural selection. Another theory is that the forgery was an attempt to give Britain an edge in the field of anthropology, which at the time was dominated by American and German scholars.

Viewers will see how modern techniques of forensic analysis, such as spectroscopy and DNA analysis, are being used to re-examine the bones and uncover new clues about the forger's identity. They will also learn about the personalities and motives of the key players involved in the forgery, including the amateur archaeologist Charles Dawson, who discovered the bones, and Sir Arthur Keith, one of the scientists who championed the Piltdown Man as genuine.

"The Boldest Hoax" is a fascinating look at one of the most audacious hoaxes in the history of science and the impact it had on the field of paleoanthropology. Through interviews with experts, archival footage, and recreations of key events, viewers will come away with a deeper understanding of the Piltdown Man forgery and the enduring importance of scientific integrity.