  QCD Laplace sum-rules for light-quark I=0,1 scalar currents are used to
investigate candidates for the lightest $q\bar q$ scalar mesons. The
theoretical predictions for the sum-rules include instanton contributions which
split the degeneracy between the I=0 and I=1 channels. The self-consistency of
the theoretical predictions is verified through a H\"older inequality analysis,
confirming the existence of an effective instanton contribution to the
continuum. The sum-rule analysis indicates that the f_0(980) and a_0(1450)
should be interpreted as the lightest $q\bar q$ scalar mesons. This apparent
decoupling of the f_0(400-1200) (or $\sigma$) and a_0(980) from the quark
scalar currents suggests a non-$q\bar q$ interpretation of these resonances.
