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The Ādam Paradox Hypothesis 172
The National Academy of Sciences: Consensus Without Paradox
The NAS, in Science, Evolution, and Creationism (2008), summarizes:
“Modern humans first appeared in Africa approximately 200,000 years ago. They developed
symbolic language and culture, which spread globally as humans migrated.
” (NAS, 2008, p.
20)
The phrasing dissolves the paradox. Sparks and fire are collapsed into one
smooth arc. Silence, rupture, and suddenness disappear into inevitability.
Critique: The role of academies is to codify consensus, not to highlight
paradox. But in codifying, NAS erases the central question: Why 200,000 years
of preparation, then a sudden explosion?
APH restores the paradox and explains it: readiness followed by infusion.
Scholarly Debate: Slope or Step
In journals, the divide is sharp.
Gradualists emphasize sparks and demography:
Paul Mellars: “Increasing population densities created tipping points for cultural
transmission and innovation.
” (Mellars, 2006, p. 940)
Powell, Shennan & Thomas: “Cultural accumulation is a function of demography.
Larger populations sustain more complex traditions.
” (Science, 2009)
Francesco d’Errico: “Symbolic behavior is present early. The debate is not about
whether it existed, but about its continuity.
” (d’Errico, 2005, p. 9)
Revolutionists insist on rupture:
Ian Tattersall: “Symbolic traditions appear abruptly, full-blown, not as gradual
accretions.
” (Tattersall, 2012, p. 214)
Richard Klein: “The archaeological record shows a dramatic acceleration after 50,000
years ago that cannot be explained by continuity alone.
” (Klein, 2009, p. 276)
Nicholas Conard: “The Aurignacian explosion of art and music is unparalleled and
signals a cognitive leap.
” (Conard, 2010, p. 61)