Michigan Relics

The Michigan Relics (also known as the Soper Frauds) are a large grouping of pseudoarchaeological prehistoric artifacts "discovered" throughout the state of Michigan in the late nineteenth century. Many of the relics were inscribed with fraudulent hieroglyphs and cuneiform and were originally believed to be proof of pre-Columbian contact with the Americas.

"Discovery"

The first discovery of the relics in Michigan occurred in October 1890 when a man in Wyman, Montcalm County, Michigan found a small clay cup while digging post holes in a field. Shortly after that initial discovery in Wyman, many other more elaborate discoveries were made in a three or four mile diameter around Wyman. Most of the artifacts were authenticated by those who witnessed their discovery. The people of Montcalm County were digging anywhere from one to four feet into the surface undulations and mounds, and scores of "remarkable objects" were unearthed. Among the objects uncovered were small caskets, tablets, ornaments, weapons, tools, smoking pipes, and pottery vessels made of copper and baked and unbaked clay of varying colors.

Daniel E. Soper & James Scotford

Daniel E. Soper was the Secretary of State for the State of Michigan in 1891 under Governor Edwin Winans. Soper was, however, replaced after a single year in office by Robert R. Blacker as Secretary of State. Not much is known about Soper as a person, but there are conflicting accounts as to his reputation and character that have been published in accounts in relation to these "relics" that often bear his name.

Debunking

Frank Kelsey

Professor Francis W. Kelsey