Top 10 Most Controversial Discoveries In History

The discovery of these clay figurines in 1944 caused a debate on Earth’s true age. Some of the dolls even depicted humans domesticating dinosaurs. It was argued that the only way this could be possible was if the two co-existed at some point. Some were convinced this was proof that the world wasn’t as old as we thought. However, an examination revealed the truth– that they weren’t ancient at all. Further testing estimated that they had been created only a few decades or so before they were found, and not in 2,500 BCE as originally posited. Despite the proof falling through, some are still asserting the validity of these to this day.

Who knew that one man had access to years worth of history? Father Carlo Crespi Croci was a priest who had spent decades collecting heirlooms that he was given while on mission trips. Throughout his life, he collected over 50,000 pieces, including a set of mysterious metallic plates. They ended up causing controversy, due to some believers claiming they were made by aliens and found in a golden cave. However, researchers concluded that they were modern-day art pieces coated in metal. The most likely case is that they were created by those helped by Father Crespi, and given to him as a gift. While not as thrilling as aliens, it certainly makes more sense.

Since being unearthed in the 1300s, the legitimacy around this piece has been constantly questioned. The Shroud of Turin seemingly bears an imprint of a human form. The assumption by many religious believers is that it was depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. But while some regarded it as a holy icon, others weren’t so sure. Even some religious leaders have agreed that it is not what it is purported to be. There have been countless tests done to properly date the Shroud, analyzing everything from the material to the alleged blood stains. Scientists still aren’t sure about when it truly originated, as there are factors such as potential historical repairs that make dating it difficult. It goes to show that even with advanced technology, some answers remain just outside our grasp.

The Quimbaya civilization existed in South America around 500 CE. And when some of its artifacts were discovered — small golden statues seemingly depicting a flying vessel – there was an initial wave of excitement. Some conspiratorial modern sources are adamant that this was proof of the culture’s interest in aviation, while others have seen them, rather, as complex depictions of various animals. So what is the truth? While no one is sure, serious historians and archaeologists believe that these figurines hold no major significance– that they were just art pieces common to that time, and that modern people have projected a larger story onto it.

If there’s one thing we’ve gleaned about older civilizations, it’s that they took their burial rituals seriously. One prime example is Chinese aristocrats being buried with intricate jade discs, presumably to help them on their path to the afterlife. These discs have left historians confused, as they were incredibly detailed for the time period. Jade is notoriously hard to work with due to its hardness. The fact that they were able to carve into it without the help of modern tools is baffling. The closest guess is that they were made via brazing, but we don’t know for sure. How they came to be may always be a mystery, as they were created during a period that preceded recorded history.

The actual Stonehenge in England is mysterious enough. The so-called private-ly controlled “America’s Stonehenge” is not quite the same. It’s been claimed that the structures and stone formations are proof of an ancient pre-Columbian European colony or settlement. But this site in its entirety, while of some archaeological and geological significance, has been meddled with in numerous ways over the years for commercial gain, among other motives. This, of course, has made it even more contentious. But again, serious historians and archaeologists maintain this is not what its mystery hypes it up to be.

Finding the final resting place of Jesus of Nazareth would be the finding of a lifetime, for both religious and historical reasons. While some stated to have found it, they certainly haven’t been able to prove it’s the real deal. The Talpiot Tomb was revealed in 1980, and since then, the arguments have been ceaseless. Some are adamant that names and details match up perfectly to those in the New Testament, with opposing voices proclaiming that the names were popular for the time period, and therefore not substantive evidence. Devout scholars have postulated that there isn’t enough proof to verify any assertions. It’s a fierce dispute that has been ongoing for decades– and we may never know the truth.

The existence of falsification in archival findings is unfortunately common. One well known case of this was the Jehoash Inscription, which claimed to have been renovation details for a Temple mentioned in the Bible. If the inscription were found to be true, then it would have been verification of not only that temple, but other historical aspects of the holy book as well. However, only one study later, experts found it to be suspect. This was evidenced by the sheer amount of spelling errors and the usage of different forms of the alphabet. While multiple courts have ruled that there isn’t enough officially legal proof to write off the supposed relic, the scientific community begs to differ.

There was a period of time when Americans became enamored with the idea of Scandanavians coming to the New World, due to Leif Erickson’s journey being widely popularized. So when a Minnesotan found a stone supposedly engraved with a message from 14th century Europeans, people were curious to say the least. However, a study done at a local college disputed this, and brushed it aside as a more modern creation. Supporters of the stone refused to believe this, and so it was continuously tested throughout the 1900s. There is still a dedicated group who are insistent about the stone’s authenticity.

We often depend on artifacts to give us correct information about a specific time period, but they’re not always trustworthy. In 1513, famed cartographer Piri Reis created his World Map, and it caused a sensation after it was discovered in the 20th century. Unlike other works from his period, he depicted continents like Africa with some precision. However, Reis wasn’t right about everything — at all. Big discrepancies were found, such as the continent being drawn much further north than it should’ve been. There were also notes on the map describing the location as warm, which is the antithesis to Antarctica’s climate. This cast major doubt as to the firsthand knowledge and accuracy of this important historical document.

Which historical discovery do you think has been the most controversial? Let us know in the comments below.