Pseudohistory is a form of pseudoscholarship that attempts to distort or misrepresent the historical record , often by employing methods resembling those used in scholarly historical research . The related term cryptohistory is applied to pseudohistory derived from the superstitions intrinsic to occultism . Pseudohistory is related to pseudoscience and pseudoarchaeology , and usage of the terms may occasionally overlap. Although pseudohistory comes in many forms, scholars have identified many features that tend to be common in pseudohistorical works; one example is that the use of pseudohistory is almost always motivated by a contemporary political , religious, or personal agenda. Pseudohistory also frequently presents sensational claims or a big lie about historical facts which would require unwarranted revision of the historical record.
