The Cardiff Giant

← Named Giants · Historiography — reported by named writers · Glossary: Named giants

Historiography First hand

A ten-foot gypsum figure "discovered" on William Newell's farm and exhibited as a petrified antediluvian giant. Commissioned by George Hull, carved in Chicago and buried a year in advance. Exposed by Othniel C. Marsh of Yale as "of very recent origin, and a decided humbug", and confessed by Hull in December 1869. Included deliberately: the most famous named American giant is a documented fraud, and any honest giant section has to say so.

Named individuals reported by a named ancient or medieval historian who states where, when and how large. These are records of a claim, not verified measurements.

Record

Also known asThe Onondaga Giant
Lineage Hoax (carved gypsum figure)
TraditionAmerican documented hoax
RegionCardiff, Onondaga County, New York
EraUnearthed 16 October 1869
Stature as recordedCarved figure measuring 10 ft (3.05 m)
Reported or examined byOthniel Charles Marsh (examined the figure in situ)
Primary referencesContemporary newspaper record; O. C. Marsh's examination, 1869; now held at the Farmers' Museum, Cooperstown NY
Source Wikipedia: Cardiff Giant

Stature is recorded as the source states it, in that source’s own units. It is not a verified measurement unless this record sits in the Modern documented record class.

← Maximinus Thrax

All named giants Historiography — reported by named writers Races of Giants (7) All races Glossary

The Cardiff Giant — Named Giants

The Cardiff Giant

Record