Faking the Ancient Andes

"""This is a lively and engaging book that takes on a theme that many people wish to ignore. The reality is that forgeries of antiquities are found throughout the legal and illicit marketplace, in private collections, and in museum collections. Fakes and are even illustrated in our textbooks. The authors have brought together an impressive array of first hand evidence showing how the ever-growing number of forgeries has not only distorted the unethical antiquities market, but is also distorting our view of history. This is an important book that should be read by anyone concerned with our cultural heritage."" -Charles Stanish, Director, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, UCLA (Reviewed with Faking Ancient Mesoamerica) ""Both books make an interesting case for how the influx of forged and unprovenanced artifacts into the public and academic world can affect one's understanding of the past. The tone of the books can at times be distracting, but the issues addressed and their complexities are explored effectively. Summing Up: Recommended."" -J. J. Borowicz, CHOICE ""Faking the Ancient Andes...is a call for anyone associated with ancient art to refrain from actively encouraging the wholesale destruction of the world's artistic heritage. What does it matter to the average museum visitor that much of what is on display is less than genuine? Everyone who looks the other way is contributing to the pollution of scholarship and distortions of history and science... It is a pity that so many of these forgeries are taken seriously. Bruhns and Kelker do a good job of explaining why. There is tremendous pressure and incentive throughout the museum industry to pass off these fakes as genuine. Faking the Ancient Andes will appeal to readers...because the authors come down firmly on the side of science."" -Carol Hayman, Skeptical Inquirer"