Admittedly, this topic has never been a burning issue with me ever, but I find this assertion absurd.
Shatter what belief? According to whom?
I have read many archelogy, anthropology and history books in my life, but can't recall such a silly assertion.
Tabboo? Makes no sense.
This just confirms my observation about "science reporting for the public" -- the reporters can never seem to resist trying to "jazz up" the story by playing up (or just inventing, if necessary) one of (or both) of the following angles:
1. "This challenges/revolutionizes/overturns/shatters previous scientific views."
2. "Huge Controversy takes place over this issue."
It's never enough to just report a discovery, they have to report it as High Drama in the belief that the reader won't find it interesting otherwise.