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A discussion on the Piltdown skull by John Cooke
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A discussion on the Piltdown skull by John Cooke
Portrait group of well-known British scientists examining the Piltdown skull. This topical painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1915, while debate continued as to whether the bones represented the missing link between man and ape. From left to right in the front row: Professor A.S Underwood, Professor Arthur Keith, Mr. W. P Pycraft and Sir E. Ray Lankester. In the back row can be seen Mr. F.O Barlow, Professor Elliot Smith, Mr. Charles Dawson and Dr. A. Smith Woodward. The Piltdown man was found to be an elaborate hoax in the early 1950s. Date: 1915
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Media ID 14125436
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Academy Arthur Cooke Debate Discussion Examining Fake Forgery Hoax Keith Lankester Link Missing Piltdown Prehistoric Professor Scientists Skull Skulls Study Underwood
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This intriguing painting by John Cooke captures a pivotal moment in the history of archaeology and anthropology, as a group of esteemed British scientists gather to discuss the authenticity of the Piltdown skull. Dated back to 1915, the debate continued as to whether the Piltdown man, discovered in East Sussex, represented the long-sought-after missing link between man and ape. In the front row of the portrait group, we find some of the most prominent figures in the field at the time, including Professor A.S. Underwood, Professor Arthur Keith, Mr. W.P. Pycraft, and Sir E. Ray Lankester. In the back row, we see Mr. F.O. Barlow, Professor Elliot Smith, Mr. Charles Dawson, and Dr. A. Smith Woodward. The Piltdown skull, which is not depicted in the painting, was believed to be around 500,000 years old and possessed both ape-like and human-like features. The Piltdown man was eventually found to be an elaborate hoax in the early 1950s, but at the time, this painting captured the public's imagination and fueled the ongoing debate. The Piltdown discovery had a profound impact on the scientific community and the way we understand human evolution. Today, the painting serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and the scientific method in uncovering the truth.
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