Charles Dawson: The Piltdown Man

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The process of evolution, as discussed by numerous scientists as a well-accepted phenomena in which species adapt to their environment over numerous generations, has become a scientific cornerstone on which several scientific theories concerning the species of the Earth and how they arrived where they are now are grounded in. One of the most predominant species of the Earth being us, the human race. Did the human race evolve over great expanses of time from more primitive beings? In what ways can science explain how humans got to where they are today? Did mankind evolve from a single area on Earth? Or were our ancestors based in a few specific countries throughout the world? These are the questions that the Piltdown man was the answer to. In …show more content…

Dawson was a well-known, highly respected amateur scientist who was known as the “Wizard of Sussex”. However, he was also a known fraud, having previously forged maps (Koster et al). Dawson was present at every finding of Piltdown man, and he is the only man to have found supporting evidence for the findings. He also was in contact with all the other suspects at some time. Many suggest that his motive for the hoax would have been to gain fame and acceptance by the scientific community. The most compelling piece of evidence against Dawson was that the findings of the Piltdown man stopped after he passed …show more content…

He had “found” the canine tooth, had access to many mammal bones, and was a competitor to Dawson. As he also was a believer in the idea of evolution and God creation, many believe his motive may have been to further his career by causing or supporting the hoax. In retrospect, however, there is much evidence that supports the claim that Teilard de Chardin was innocent. He was a student at a seminary 30 miles away from the finding locations, with no easy access to transportation. On top of this, he was always watched by others and was out of the picture most of the time. His son also usually sent him fossils from his work and Chardin had always expressed his reservations on the findings, refusing to place blame on others. As he was not easily able to plant such fossils that were found at the Piltdown man site, his innocence can be assumed in this

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