German Archaeologist Accused of Manipulating Key Historical Finds

Investigations reveal deliberate misdating of skulls and two major discoveries, raising questions about the integrity of past research.

A former archaeologist in Rheinland-Pfalz is accused of deliberately misdating at least 21 skulls to make them appear older and more significant.
Recent investigations uncovered 18 additional suspicious cases, including two high-profile finds: the 'Neandertaler von Ochtendung' and the 'Schlachtfeld von Riol.'
The alleged Neanderthal skull was determined to be 160,000–170,000 years younger than initially claimed, likely dating to the Early Middle Ages.
The archaeological basis for the 'Schlachtfeld von Riol,' purportedly a Roman-era battleground, was found to be insufficient upon review.
The full extent of the manipulation remains unclear, with ongoing investigations prompted by doubts raised about the archaeologist's prior work, including his dissertation.