Dr Boris Gübele notes, "This 18th century forgery by an Italian counterfeiter almost led historians down the wrong track: it could have resulted in the church being re-dated, for instance." This emphasizes the potential consequences of accepting fraudulent documents as authentic, highlighting the importance of meticulous historical verification.
The document, initially thought to date back to 1266, referenced a church not built until the 14th century, showcasing the clear signs of forgery that misled many.
Cicci's forgeries aimed to elevate his family's social standing by fabricating documents that traced their lineage to notable historical figures, reflecting the personal motivations behind historical deception.
This finding underscores the ongoing struggle historians face in ensuring the authenticity of documents, sparking concern that many other forgeries might still remain undetected in archives.
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