Scandal over discoveries in Rhineland-Palatinate: Was science cheated here?

Scandal over discoveries in Rhineland-Palatinate: Was science cheated here?

A shadow casts itself over Rhineland-Palatinate archaeology. The FREIEN WÄHLER are calling for a quicker clarification of the allegations of scientific fraud involving a senior employee of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage (GDKE). At a meeting of the Interior, Sport and State Planning Committee in Mainz, Interior Minister Michale Ebling gave MPs insufficient information. Patrick Kunz from the FREIE WÄHLERN was disappointed by the lack of new facts and emphasized that the accusation of scientific fraud is still in the air, while the disciplinary proceedings against the affected state archaeologist remain in place.

The employee, who has been working for the GDKE for over 20 years, has presented sensational archaeological finds in the past, including a skull that is over 5,000 years old. But the lived reality is different: it turned out that the age of the skull and at least 21 other skull fragments was exaggerated or completely made up. These finds do not come from the pre-Christian period, as originally stated, but rather from the Middle Ages or modern times. The university, which pointed out these inconsistencies, triggered a wave of investigations.

Criticism and consequences

The Rhineland-Palatinate Higher Administrative Court has now made it clear that its decisions have no impact on the ongoing disciplinary proceedings. Initially, the age of these finds has so far only been determined on the basis of the external appearance and the circumstances of the discovery, which the employee in question stated misleadingly in several cases. The GDKE has now initiated a scientific age determination process in which samples of the finds are taken and examined.

Kunz criticized the high costs that the process entails for taxpayers. He suggested that the matter might have been resolved more quickly through a settlement. It is currently unclear whether further finds will be affected by the manipulation. State Secretary Simone Schneider emphasized the urgency of a complete investigation and asked for support from experts, including a state archaeologist from Schleswig-Holstein and a professor from Cologne.

Unclear circumstances of the deception

The employee denied the allegations and said he never questioned the authenticity of the finds. It remains questionable how the deception could have remained undetected for years and why the findings were not thoroughly checked beforehand. These are the questions that the FREIEN VÖHLER are also raising and calling for more transparency and clarification. The pressure on the GDKE is growing, and while disciplinary proceedings are already underway in another case against the employee, they are preparing for possible further measures. If the allegations are confirmed, the officer could even face dismissal.

The case not only has consequences for the affected employee, but could also have a lasting impact on the reputation of the GDKE, which is responsible for monuments and archaeological treasures in Rhineland-Palatinate. It remains exciting to see how the situation develops and whether those responsible will have a good hand at regaining the public's trust. The FREE VOTERS will certainly continue to work on this issue.