HOW TO DETECT PSEUDOARCHAEOLOGY
"Because every mystery deserves the truth." - Ansh Nadger
1. Start with evidence
Pseudoarchaeology often begins with bold claims — ancient aliens, lost civilizations, or secret technologies — but very little actual proof.
Real archaeology relies on physical evidence, such as artifacts, architecture, soil layers, and carbon dating.
Ask yourself:
“Can this claim be supported by real, verifiable data?”
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If the evidence is vague, missing, or “kept secret,” that’s your first warning sign.
2. Check the Sources
A reliable discovery is published in peer-reviewed journals, discussed by experts, and often challenged or refined over time.
Pseudoarchaeology, on the other hand, tends to appear on YouTube, blogs, or social media posts — with no credible experts cited.
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Tip: Search the author’s name + “archaeologist” or “researcher.”
If nothing credible shows up, it’s probably not scientific.
3. Watch for “Too Good to Be True” Stories
​If something sounds dramatic — like “Atlantis found under the Sahara!” — it’s meant to grab attention, not
inform. Pseudoarchaeological claims often use excitement and mystery to replace real evidence.
Science is cautious. Real archaeology takes time and lots of research to come to a conclusion, which is most of the time not even that extraordinary.
Pseudoarchaeology is sensational. It makes up wild and out-of-this-world statements to just grab attention.
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Look for words like “hidden,” “mystery,” “forbidden,” or “what scientists don’t want you to know.”
Those are red flags.​
4. Follow the Experts
Archaeology is a global team effort.
Check if universities, museums, or respected archaeologists have discussed the topic.
You can even search through:
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The Smithsonian website
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The Archaeological Institute of America
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University press releases​
If no expert has mentioned it — or if only “alternative history” channels have — that’s a sign the claim may not be reliable.
5. Understand Why It Matters
Pseudoarchaeology isn’t just “fun myths.”
It can spread misinformation about cultures, disrespect real Indigenous histories, and undermine genuine science.
Learning to spot it helps us protect truth and cultural heritage.
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Every false story replaced by truth makes our understanding of history stronger.