Few archeological discoveries in history have generated as much debate as the Acámbaro figurines. The narrative starts in 1944 in the arid hills of Guanajuato, Mexico’s Acámbaro, when a collection of enigmatic clay figurines was discovered, sparking a contentious discussion that has lasted for decades.

The Figures

During a horseback ride, German immigrant and amateur archaeologist Waldemar Julsrud discovered these puzzling artifacts. He became curious about a figure that appeared to be emerging from the ground and went to a nearby farmer for assistance. He offered to pay for each extra piece that was dug up. With this arrangement, around 33,000 figurines representing a diverse range of subjects from various ethnic groups, including Egyptians, Sumerians, and “bearded Caucasians,” as well as a variety of creatures, some of which had a remarkable similarity to dinosaurs, were discovered.

Some of these sculptures resembled long-necked Brontosauruses, while others showed more vicious animals that resembled those said to have roamed the Earth 65 million years ago. Even more disturbingly, one was shown devouring a person headfirst in a scene that, if interpreted literally, implied that people and dinosaurs coexisted.

Skeptical Scientists

The accepted scientific chronology states that millions of years have passed between the extinction of dinosaurs and the beginning of human history. The idea that people coexisted with dinosaurs is in direct opposition to this theory. Professional Mexican archaeologists wrote off the artifacts as fakes almost immediately. An article published in 2005 in Expedition Magazine listed a number of reasons to be skeptical, including the fact that the figurines had no wear or obvious signs of aging, no dirt in their cracks, and even though some of them were damaged, there were strangely no missing parts.

Subsequent inquiries disclosed that a nearby family had been producing and vending these figures to Julsrud, purportedly taking cues from popular culture, including movies, comic books, periodicals, and trips to Mexico City’s Museo Nacional. After conducting a thorough investigation, archaeologist Charles C. Di Peso came to the conclusion that the figurines were contemporary artifacts, refuting the theory that they provided proof of the coexistence of people and dinosaurs.

Theories of Creationism and Hapgood’s Apologetics

The figurines became a touchstone for people outside the mainstream scientific community, especially young creationists, notwithstanding the archeological consensus. These people interpreted the rejection of the artifacts’ possible significance as more proof of scientific authoritarianism. They accepted the figurines as authentic, endorsing a literal reading of the Genesis creation story, which holds that God created dinosaurs and humans at the same time. They believe dinosaurs may still exist as cryptids today and that they did live with humans thousands of years ago.

Charles Hapgood, a history and anthropology professor at the University of New Hampshire, provided scholarly backing for this viewpoint in 1955. He examined the fragments and pronounced them authentic, lending the creationist side an air of intellectual credibility.

The Problems Associated with Thermoluminescence Dating

When the Museum’s Applied Science Centre for Archaeology (MASCA) used Thermoluminescence (TL) dating, a technique that determines when materials were last heated to high temperatures, between 1969 and 1972, the discussion took a scientific turn. The figurines’ estimated age of 2500 BCE, based on preliminary findings, would have completely changed the course of history.

Regretfully, this dating technique was still in its infancy and subsequently showed itself to be inaccurate for these artifacts. Additional TL investigations conducted in 1978 found that the figurines had been burned at temperatures consistent with a modern fabrication, some 30 years before the tests. This effectively dated the figurines to the period when they were supposedly discovered.

Contemporary Hoax?

Most scientists now believe that the Acámbaro figurines are contemporary forgeries. However, these artifacts have not been forgotten; instead, they remain on exhibit in their own museum, captivating visitors even now. Some people still find them to be intriguing proof of a different past in which humans and dinosaurs may have coexisted—or even, as some have theorized, proof that dinosaurs may still be alive now.

Finally, the Acámbaro figurines serve as a reminder of the value of exacting scientific research methods in archaeology. They draw attention to the attraction of rewriting history and the human predilection for mystery, but they also emphasize the need for critical analysis and the readiness to acknowledge that not everything that appears to be gold is indeed ancient. The tale of these figurines demonstrates the nuanced interplay between science, religion, and historical interpretation.

Further Reading

For those interested in delving deeper into the themes and controversies surrounding the Acámbaro figurines, the following books provide a range of perspectives and insights into archaeology, hoaxes, and the interplay between science and mythology:

Feder, K. L. (2020). Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

This book offers a comprehensive look at various archaeological hoaxes, including the Acámbaro figurines. Feder provides a critical examination of the evidence and discusses the broader implications of such pseudoscientific claims in archaeology.

Hapgood, C. H. (2000). Mystery in Acámbaro: Did Dinosaurs Survive Until Recently? Kempton, IL: Adventures Unlimited Press.

Charles Hapgood’s book presents his account of the Acámbaro figurines, providing insight into why he believed in their authenticity. It serves as a primary source, reflecting the views of those who supported the idea that the figurines could be genuine.

Piccardi, L., & Masse, W. B. (Eds.). (2007). Myth and Geology. London, UK: Geological Society of London, Special Publications 273.

While not focused solely on the Acámbaro figurines, this collection of essays explores the relationship between geological phenomena and the myths and legends they inspire. It offers a broader context for understanding how natural history and human beliefs can sometimes collide, leading to intriguing stories like that of the Acámbaro discovery.

These books provide a range of perspectives, from outright skepticism of the figurines’ authenticity to more sympathetic considerations of the mysteries they present. Together, they offer readers a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex dialogue between scientific inquiry and the human imagination in the realm of archaeology.