As a child in England, I grew up with the stories of the heroism of the Maltese people in World War II and always had great admiration for Malta and what it stood for. This was enhanced by the knowledge that my father, the late Kenneth P. Oakley, had done research as a scientist into fossil remains from the island in the 1960s and made friends here.

My father was not a forger... no reputable museum should give the impression he was- Giles Oakley, London, UK

I was therefore thrilled 20 years ago, on my first visit to Malta, to find that dad’s work was still remembered at Għar Dalam cave, in the site museum. When I returned there a few days ago I was initially delighted to find a photo of my father and a copy of one of his books on dating fossils on display in the much-improved and modernised museum. But then, to my horror, I found in the display cabinet that my father had been accused of “forgery” in his work on estimating the age of human teeth found in the cave, believed by some to belong to Neanderthal Man.

There is no attempt to defend my father’s reputation in the museum itself, where the shameful smear is allowed to stand uncontested.

There is more in the Insight Heritage Guide book, where the two people who made such accusation, claim that my father’s test results had been “tampered” with, although, on this occasion, it is at least admitted that the “facts” presented “lack concrete scientific basis”.

Given that my father’s estimate of the age of the ancient molars remains the consensus view at around 5200BC, it is very hard to comprehend why the claim of “forgery” is put on show at all, especially in such a manner in such a prominent public place.

My father died over 30 years ago and is thus unable to defend himself, which is what prompts me to do so now. What makes the “tampering” and “forgery” allegations particularly poignant is that, in 1953, my father helped expose one of the biggest scientific hoaxes of the 20th century. Together with others, he proved that the Piltdown Skull was nothing like as old as had been believed when it was said to belong to “The First Englishman”.

This year is the centenary of the supposed “discovery” of the Piltdown Man and there is certain to be considerable interest in the whole story of the fakery and its exposure, focusing attention once more on my father’s work at the Natural History Museum in London.

I have been told by many of his colleagues that he showed great courage in challenging the orthodoxy of the day over Piltdown.

They spoke of his great integrity and I believe they would be deeply shocked to see his reputation being traduced in the cavalier way it has by the Għar Dalam Museum.

I hope those responsible can be persuaded to change the display and make it more in keeping with his very real eagerness to assist in understanding Malta’s fascinating prehistoric past. Some may wonder why these things matter, to which I would reply that it’s very simply about fair play and decency.

My father was not a forger and no reputable museum should give the impression he was.