To better understand what goes on behind the scenes in paleoanthropology, read about kayfabe on Wikipedia.
Here I will point out some clear examples of kayfabe in this remarkable science.

Happisburgh footprints (before they were destroyed). Scientists maintain kayfabe by never publicly questioning the validity of these supposed footprints. Read about them on Wikipedia. Geologists know that such curious weathering patterns are found in many sedimentary rocks, and have nothing to do with footprints. 




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Anthropogeny.net