I am a graduate student in the Department of Popular Culture at Bowling
Green State University.  I am currently working on a project involving
museum hoaxes (intentional or unrecognized) and the continued display of
hoax objects in museums.  I am interested in input from any and everyone
on this topic, secifically:

1. Historical or current hoaxes in which museums have played a significant
tole in their perpetration or dissemination.  For example, the Piltdown
Man hoax (possibly) perpetrated by curators of the British Museum.

2. Hoax objects that are displayed today as museum pieces.  For example,
the Cardiff Giant at the Farmer's Museum in Cooperstown.

Particularly welcome would be any comments or information from museum
workers at such sites.  I would very much like to know how such objects
are labeled and interpretted, and how their status as frauds are
incorporated into the museum's overall purpose.

I thank you in advance, TIM

TImothy K. Winkle
Department of Popular Culture
Bowling Green State University
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