Definition: The Cardiff Giant was a famous nineteenth century hoax. Hoaxter George Hull bought a block of Iowa gypsum and paid some men to carve a 10 foot tall man out of it, and had it buried on a friend's farm near Cardiff, New York. It was 'discovered' in 1869 by hapless well diggers on the Stub Newell farm, and Hull's investment of $2,600 paid off handsomely when a group of businessmen paid $30,000 for it. Although quickly debunked as a fraud, the giant is still considered by some evidence of ... well, I'm not sure what, but you can go see it today, at the Farmer's Museum in Cooperstown, NY.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
