It wasn’t the intention of Jacques Boucher de Perthes to disprove the widely acknowledged idea of 4004 BCE being the year of the creation of man. What he discovered in the high banks of the Somme River, though, showed nothing but the proof of man’s existence before the previously claimed date. Boucher de Perthes, a mere customs officer in Abbeville, only practiced archaeology as a hobby. This hobby led him to an amazing discovery. He found whole handaxes, tools and fragments embedded in and scattered about the fossilized bones of prehistoric mammals. The finding implied that the peoples who made the axes and tools were hunting these animals, which unmistakably proves man existed at least as early as these ancient creatures.
He wasn’t alone in his findings. Dr. Rigollot, fueled by Boucher’s discovery, went to work in St. Acheul. Though originally a rival to Boucher, Rigollot’s work only helped prove Boucher’s. Support for Boucher de Perthes was growing, but he and the few French scientists found themselves up against a formidable foe. The belief of the creation of man of the time was deeply rooted in theology. And because of this, no one was readily willing to accept claims and openly denounce the French scientific society and theocracy. The likes of Charles Lyell and fellow English Geologists came to witness Boucher de Perthes’ work. Their opinions and views were concurrent with those of Boucher de Perthes and they hurriedly returned to Britain to seek aid.
The British Royal Society agreed with his findings and a wave of scientists ventured out to find more. A multitude of new evidence was building faster than anyone could classify it all. Reindeer with entire axes still embedded in their bones were found. Many caves were discovered all over Europe, their walls covered with primitive drawings of the very same mammals whose bones lay on the floors. Eventually, supporters of the theological view of the creation had no choice but to finally listen and accept the real truths now so abundant. After twenty years, Jacques Boucher de Perthes was given the respect he deserved.
“History of the Warfare with Theology in Christendom Chapter 7, II. The Flint Weapons and Implements” Andrew Dickson White (last updated July 27th, 1999) http://www.human-nature.com/reason/white/chap7.html
”The History of Archaeology, Part II: A little bit of science” K. Kris Hirst (last updated, October 15th, 1999) home.about.com
Archeaology Explorer Iverson Software Co. Former link, http://www.iversonsoftware.com/business/archaeology/Boucher.htm (2007)
“Boucher de Perthes, Jacques” http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9015889?&query=boucherdeperthes.jacques [Accessed 15 October 1999]
Written by: Jared Mason