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10 Fake Artifacts That Were Accepted as Real for Decades

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6. The Etruscan Terracotta Warriors

6. The Etruscan Terracotta Warriors
Terracotta warriors stand in a museum display, surrounded by intricate Etruscan art and ancient relics. | Photo by Atlas Obscura

The Etruscan Terracotta Warriors once occupied a place of honor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, hailed as rare ancient masterpieces. Only after decades on display did investigations reveal their true origin: they were crafted in the modern era. This embarrassing exposure underscored weaknesses in early 20th-century authentication and highlighted the ongoing challenges museums face in verifying antiquities. Read more

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