I wish I had a dollar for every TV show, website, or ancient alien enthusiast email that touts the bogus idea that elongated skulls are proof of either aliens, nephilim, or both. It's utter nonsense. These enthusiasts regularly suggest and assume that mainstream...
pseudoarchaeology
Aliens, the Sphinx, and Fantastic Archaeology
Jason Colavito has another telling and humorous review of the latest Ancient Aliens episode from season 7. Jason's review starts this way: Tonight’s exceptionally boring episode of Ancient Aliens, S07E07 “Mysteries of the Sphinx,” takes us back in time—to the 1990s,...
On the Talmud and Giant Teeth
Jason Colavito has an interesting piece about "rows of teeth" and ancient giants supposedly supported by the Talmud. It's really about a plagiarized reference, but giant fans (no World Series pun intended there) will find it interesting. I left a comment that should...
The Myth of the Smithsonian Archaeological Conspiracy
I've directed readers to Jason Colavito's blog many times before, but I don't believe I've included this specific essay: How David Childress Created the Myth of a Smithsonian Archaeological Conspiracy. Jason makes a good case for the modern origin of this oft-repeated...
The Columbian “Genetic Disk” Fraud
The aptly-named Archaeological Fantasies blog has a lengthy discussion of the so-called genetic disk. As you might guess, this disk is supposed to be proof of advanced biological knowledge in the ancient world. It's bunk.
Graham Hancock and Bad Archaeology
Professional archaeologist Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews, the force behind the Bad Archaeology blog, recently posted a series of articles detailing the (poor) research techniques and (flawed) argumentation of Graham Hancock. Here are the links to the series: Hancock’s...
Did Muslims Discover America in 999 AD?
Short answer: No. Longer answer: Jason Colavito's post: Did Ibn Farrukh Discover America in 999 CE? (CE is the "non-Christian" abbreviation commonly used in academic convention in place of "A.D."). As usual, Jason has done a great job here. I recommend the post to...
Did the CIA Investigate Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat?
Sure doesn't look that way. The above link takes you to some documentation on this issue posted by Jason Colavito on his website. I happened to come across it a week or so ago. It's interesting for me in that it mentions astronaut Jim Irwin. I heard Irwin speak at...
Chariots of the Frauds: The Real Erich von Daniken
Kudos are once again in order for Jason Colavito for his review of the Ancient Aliens episode entitled "The Legacy of von Daniken." As part of his review, Jason summarizes some of the material that can be found in his book The Cult of Alien Gods: H.P. Lovecraft And...
Why the Piri Reis Map is Neither an Enigma Nor Evidence for Ancient Aliens
This recent post on the Bad Archaeology blog provides a much-needed antidote against the Piri Reis paleobabble contagion. As author Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews notes at the outset: Maps of the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries are a favourite source of information for...
Simcha Jacobovici’s Conspiracy Fantasy
I recommend readers have a look at this recent post by Dr. Larry Hurtado. It begins this way: If you want to see a good example of what be-devils any scholarly analysis of practically anything to do with Jesus and early Christianity, have a read of the postings of the...
Critiques of Pseudo-Archaeologists Appealing to Many Evangelical Christians
PaleoBabble readers know that I haven't had positive things to say about the work of pseudo-archaeologists like Ron Wyatt and Robert Cornuke. The Bible Places blog recently posted some critiques of the latter. I think readers will find it informative and useful. (And...
Jason Colavito Blogging Through Erich von Daniken’s Latest Testament to Ancient Astronaut Nonsense
Someone should give Jason a medal. He's actually six chapters into his review. You can read the series here: Reviewing EVD's "Twilight of the Gods" (Pt. 1) Reviewing EVD's "Twilight of the Gods" (Pt. 2) Reviewing EVD's "Twilight of the Gods" (Pt. 3) Reviewing EVD's...
David Hatcher Childress: A Survey of His Self- Contradictions
I wanted to draw readers' attention to this post by Jason Colavito. It documents the "confusion" of Hatcher-Childress on whether he believes in ancient aliens or not. Is it confusion, or opportunism?
The Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy and the Talpiot Tomb
That's the title of Mark Goodacre's recent post on the Talpiot tomb debate. I highly recommend the post, as it illustrates this logical fallacy very clearly and applies it to the Talpiot tomb material.