For years many scientists believed that our early hominin ancestors developed in England, based on the findings of the Piltdown Man. Many scientists were reluctant to accept important findings coming out of Africa, due to their adherence that the Piltdown Man demonstrated that large brained hominins derived from Europe. However, it was eventually revealed that the Piltdown Man was a fake! What two primate species were used to create the Piltdown Man? Why might Western scientists be so reluctant to give up the idea that large brained hominins had their origins in Europe?

Question

Dakota Ellison

History

14 February, 00:06

For years many scientists believed that our early hominin ancestors developed in England, based on the findings of the Piltdown Man. Many scientists were reluctant to accept important findings coming out of Africa, due to their adherence that the Piltdown Man demonstrated that large brained hominins derived from Europe. However, it was eventually revealed that the Piltdown Man was a fake! What two primate species were used to create the Piltdown Man? Why might Western scientists be so reluctant to give up the idea that large brained hominins had their origins in Europe?

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Answers (1)

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Catalina Rogers · Answer 1

The Piltdown Man was actually made up of modern human bones and an orangutan.

Explanation:

At the time of the finding, in 1912, imperialism and colonialism still ruled the world and Africa (and other parts of the world) was seen as backward and ignorant, not as the cradle of humanity. This was a time in which people like the anthropologist Franz Boas, who argued against racial distinction between humans, were barely heard.