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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'Ancient' Scottish stone circle was built in 1990s
Archaeologists were studying site until former farm owner came forward
A stone circle thought to be thousands of years old has turned out to be a lot more modern after a former farm owner admitted building it in the 1990s.
The recumbent stone circle in the parish of Leochel-Cushnie, Aberdeenshire, was reported by the sites current farm and was considered unusual for its small diameter and relatively small stones.
Historic Environment Scotland and Aberdeenshire councils archaeology service celebrated it as an authentic discovery and continued their research until being contacted by the former owner who said they had built it as a replica in the mid-1990s.
Neil Ackerman, the historic environment record assistant at Aberdeenshire council, said: It is obviously disappointing to learn of this development, but it also adds an interesting element to its story. That it so closely copies a regional monument type shows the local knowledge, appreciation and engagement with the archaeology of the region by the local community.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/21/ancient-scottish-stone-circle-was-built-in-1990s
Oop's.........................
Wounded Bear
(58,645 posts)Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)(headline coming soon to a planet near you)
yardwork
(61,588 posts)Igel
(35,300 posts)It's a horrible way to conduct anything called "science".
It's okay if it's a researcher or team engaging in "I wanna believe" research. If you don't think there's a point, you're not going to do it.
It's when the "I wanna believe" stretches to the surrounding environment--other scholars, public opinion. Then there's no drive to disconfirm the conclusion or facts, there's no critical analysis, there's just belief masquerading as secular truth.
At least in this case it was inconsequential because nothing apart from accuracy for the sake of accuracy depended on it.