The 19th-Century Fraud That Fooled the World

In 1872, historian Edmund Halbridge announced he had discovered the ruins of Atlantis off the coast of Greece. His expedition claimed to have found submerged structures and ancient inscriptions, sparking global fascination. However, years later, researchers uncovered evidence that Halbridge had fabricated his findings, using altered maps and planted artifacts to support his claims. The scandal led to his professional downfall, but the myth persisted. Some argue that early Wikipedia editing services unknowingly helped spread misinformation before the truth was verified. Despite being debunked, the Atlantis Hoax remains one of history’s most intriguing archaeological deceptions.