Archeology scandal: Manipulated finds shake Rhineland-Palatinate!

Archeology scandal: Manipulated finds shake Rhineland-Palatinate!

A huge scandal shakes archeology: a German researcher is suspected of deliberately manipulating significant finds! In Mainz, 21 skulls were discovered, the dating of which was classified as wrong. But that's just the beginning! Now another 18 cases have appeared, including two sensational discoveries: the "Neanderthals from Ochtendung" and the "Battlefield of Riol". The Interior Ministry of Rhineland-Palatinate published the alarming news on November 25th.

The State Secretary Simone Schneider explained that all suspected cases are now systematically examined. A disciplinary procedure is already underway against the former employee of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage (GDKE), which is now being expanded. The "Neanderthals of Ochtendendung", which was once considered a sensational find, could be younger than assumed - the skull fragments were dated to the early Middle Ages in an external laboratory, and not in the Paläolithic, as originally intended. A shock for science!

battlefield of Riol under suspicion

But that's not all! There are also massive doubts at the famous “Battlefield of Riol”, which was published in 2015. The archaeological data were classified as "insufficient". One of the most important battles between Romans and Celts is said to have taken place on a meadow in Riol, but now the authenticity of the spearheads found is questioned. Where exactly the battle took place remains uncertain - whether on the meadow or in the adjacent forest, the researchers are disagreed.

The checks were triggered by a confidential request from a university, which expressed doubts about the dissertation of the researcher concerned. The public and science have been informed that the results of the investigations are continuously communicated in order to avert further scientific damage. Archeology faces a huge change - the clarification of these cases could have far -reaching consequences!