A Critique of the Institute of Cultural Heritage of Spain's Indicators of Falsehood in Incisions on Ostraca From the Iruña‐Veleia Archaeological Site, Spain

ABSTRACT A critical analysis is conducted on the indicators of falsification of incisions on Roman‐era material, as presented by the Institute of Cultural Heritage of Spain (ICHS) regarding the ostraca from the archaeological site of Iruña‐Veleia Spain. The phases prior to laboratory analysis, the analytical phase, and the results phase presented by ICHS are discussed. Several issues are identified, including confirmation bias, selection bias, and problems of undercoverage. Additionally, relevant previous contributions are omitted, and serious deficiencies in the preservation of the evidence are observed. There is also a lack of analysis regarding the probability of occurrence of the proposed anomalies, as well as an absence of mention of measurement biases related to the tools used. The lack of reproducibility of the analyses and conclusions based on subjective testimonies compromises the validity of the indicators of falsity of the incisions on archaeological material, rendering them unfounded. Finally, an updated state of the falsehood of the inscriptions is presented, and directions for future research are proposed, emphasizing the need for a more rigorous and systematic approach to address the falsehood of incisions in ostraca.