The Piltdown Man was a supposed early human fossil discovered in 1912 in Piltdown, England. It was presented as a significant link between apes and humans, combining a human-like skull with an ape-like jaw. This find was celebrated for decades, influencing the study of human evolution. However, in 1953, scientific analysis revealed that the Piltdown Man was a hoax. The skull was human, while the jawbone belonged to an orangutan, and both had been artificially aged. This discovery highlighted the importance of rigorous scientific methods in anthropology and led to a reevaluation of other fossil finds.